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Horse Racing Mikael Silvestre: North London Derby Combined XI, Manchester Derby Preview
It’s a derby weekend in the Premier League with Manchester United hosting Manchester City on Saturday and then Tottenham welcoming Arsenal on Sunday.
Keeping that in mind, we talked to a man who’s been part of both the Manchester and North London Derbies, Mikael Silvestre.
In this article:
- Silvestre on the Manchester Derby
- Silvestre on the North London Derby
- Silvestre’s Arsenal vs Tottenham Combined XI
Silvestre on the Manchester Derby
To start things off, Silvestre is hopeful of his former side getting a result against the reigning champions. He cites Man Utd’s upturn in form under Erik ten Hag and Man City’s tendency to concede more goals than usual as reasons why the Red Devils can get a result.
“Man Utd are going through a period where they’re doing well, so I think they need to approach the game confidently.”
“City are conceding more goals than they used to, so let’s hope that continues.”
“It’s an area where, if you want to be champions, you have to be extremely strong at the back. City is showing otherwise, at the moment.”
“Hopefully, United can take advantage and score because they have the capacity to score against any team in the Premier League.”
Man City are unbeaten against Man Utd in the pair’s last three meetings, winning all three. They demolished the Red Devils, 6-3 at the Etihad earlier this season, with both Erling Håland and Phil Foden scoring a hat-trick.
Despite the recently lopsided record, Silvestre still believes that it is a game that Premier League fans will be looking forward to and expects it to be a tough matchup.
“It will be a tough game. City are the champions and their form also is quite good. It’s one of those clashes in the Premier League you look forward to.”
“On current form, it’s fair opposition.”
Silvestre on the North London Derby
Moving on to Sunday and we have league leaders Arsenal who will be travelling close by to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in what should be another hotly contested North London Derby.
The Gunners have a hapless record at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, losing all three Premier League games they’ve played at the venue. Since 2020, the Gunners have conceded seven goals and only scored one in Tottenham’s backyard. Last season, it was a 0-3 loss at the venue that ended Mikel Arteta’s men’s quest to finish in the top four.
Silvestre acknowledges Arsenal’s struggles at the ground but keeping in mind the current form of both sides, he’s outlined two scenarios – Arsenal getting on top, or both teams producing a big battle – with the second one being more likely in his opinion.
“It’s hard to predict that one (laughs).”
“We know what Arsenal can do but on the other side, Spurs can be very good in the North London Derby.”
“I think it’s going to be one of those, Arsenal getting on top or we’ll have a very good fight. Tottenham will obviously be extremely aggressive defensively but offensively, they can find solutions with Son, with Kane and other players around to create chances and score.”
“I would go for the second – a big battle.”
Silvestre’s Arsenal vs Tottenham Combined XI
The former French international was then asked to make his combined North London Derby XI and he heavily favoured his former side. The XI made using current form as the measure, features nine Arsenal players and only two Tottenham stars, namely, Harry Kane and Cristian Romero.
“Yeah my combined XI would be Arsenal + Harry Kane.”
“I would’ve said Son. But not right now.”
“So no Jesus, you put Kane instead of Nketiah. There’s no room for anybody else.”
“Maybe Romero and Gabriel Magalhaes at the back. Just on the form at the moment.”
