Ange Postecoglou to ruthlessly ditch £100k-a-week gem in attack-minded line up vs Arsenal in first NLD

Tottenham’s record summer signing Brennan Johnson is likely to start the game against Arsenal on the bench as he awaits his first full debut for the club.

The former Nottingham Forest man has had to come in during games to try and influence them since he made his transfer deadline day move, and reports say that is likely to continue as Spurs go to the Emirates in search of their first win against Arsenal since November 2010.

The Lilywhites manager Ange Postecoglou is aiming to become only the first Spurs manager to register an away win in his first North London derby since Peter Shreeves, whose side won at Highbury on New Year’s Day in 1985.

He told reporters he was going to ensure his team gave their best against Arsenal- who he describes as a side that will challenge for the Premier League title.

Postecoglou told reporters ahead of the game on Sunday: “They are a very good football team, so irrespective of past records. If we had beaten them twice last year, I would be going into this game saying it will be a tough game and it will be a tough game for our players, particularly away from home.

“That is the challenge for us. I have never put too much stock on previous records, or previous history because I certainly wasn’t involved in any of those and some of the players weren’t involved, so there is no point in us reflecting on the historical context of the fixture.

“What is really more relevant is they are in good form, we’re in good form and we want to go out there and try to play our football against them. They are a side who will be challenging for the title.”

Tottenham have made their best start to a league season in 58 years winning four of their first five games with confidence sky-high going into the game.