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The latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta gets told how to handle Tottenham's star defender ahead of the North London Derby this weekend
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has told Arsenal how to handle Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven's dangerous runs ahead of the North London Derby on Sunday.
Standing at six foot four, you maybe wouldn't expect one of Van de Ven's top talents to be his pace. However, the Dutchman holds the record for being the fastest player recorded in the Premier League at 37.38km/h.
Van de Ven showed his pace in the Champions League earlier this month when, in a matter of nine seconds, he ran from the edge of his own penalty area to score from inside the opposition’s box.
With much of Arsenal's success this season coming from set pieces, it means Mikel Arteta's side can be vulnerable to counter-attacks. But if Van de Ven does pick up the ball and starts darting through the field, Bent has told the Arsenal squad what they need to do.
When asked if Van de Ven worried him, Darren Bent, who is a self-confessed Gunner, told talkSPORT: "He doesn't worry me, he's a centre-half.
"Yeah [I saw his goal against Copenhagen], but I would like at some point people to have learned from their mistakes and go, 'if he starts to run – foul him.'
"Do you know what I mean? Rather than let him start galloping, foul him. Just take one for the team. [If you get a yellow card] just don't do it again. Like [Martin[ Zubimendi, if he's on his way, little trip."
It's simple advice for the team who have conceded the fewest goals in the league. Arteta's defence have let in just five goals in their opening 11 league games. Manchester City are next with eight conceded.
The Gunners' impressive defensive stats carry over to the Champions League where, in their first four European games this season, they haven't let in a single goal.
Arteta's defence has taken a hit this week due to Gabriel being ruled out with a muscular injury. The 27-year-old sustained the problem during Brazil's international friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
When asked about the issue, Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "Bad? I don't know. He had an injury in his adductor. The medical staff has to check tomorrow. We are really sorry for this, really disappointed. When a player has an injury, you hope they can recover well and soon."
Riccardo Calafiori also had an injury scare during the international break. He didn't feature in either of Italy's two games over the week after a hip issue sent him back to north London early. However, Calafiori is expected to be fit for Sunday's game.
History sways Arteta's way ahead of the first North London Derby of the season. Tottenham haven't won at the Emirates in the Premier League since 2010, when Arsene Wenger suffered a 3-2 defeat to Harry Redknapp's Spurs.
Arsenal will be hoping they can extend their lead at the top of the table this weekend. If results go their way, the Gunners could widen the gap to Man City to seven points.
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