Tony Mogan
Published November 22, 2025 1:07pm
Updated November 22, 2025 1:07pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Gyokeres is hoping to be fit for Sunday’s derby (Picture: Getty)
Former Tottenham star Sandro has backed Micky van de Ven to lock down and ‘control’ Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres in Sunday’s north London derby.
Arsenal head into tomorrow’s showdown top of the Premier League with Thomas Frank’s side eight points adrift in fifth place. Spurs have not beaten their arch-rivals since May 2022, losing their last three derbies on the bounce.
Tottenham remain heavily hit by injuries but do have their fearsome partnership at the heart of defence back in place with van de Ven and Cristian Romero set to start at the Emirates.
Van de Ven in particular has been in exquisite form this season, chipping in with six goals in all competitions.
Arsenal meanwhile will hope to have Gyokeres available after a recent injury to do battle with the Spurs duo with former Premier League star Sandro relishing the physical battle.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.
Sandro is a big admirer of Gyokeres, declaring him a ‘fighter’ who will be able to give as good as he gets against Romero. He is also confident that despite the knock he picked up earlier this month, the Sweden international will be fit for the derby clash.
But up against the lightning quick van de Ven, the Brazilian believes there will only be one winner.
Romero and van de Ven one of the best partnerships in the league (Picture: Getty)
‘Sandro, speaking to Metro via Eskil Raknes at Kongebonus said: ‘Gyokeres will be fit for this game. Gyokeres is a player that works very, very hard for the team. I saw him here in Portugal and he can run! He can run, he will give everything for the team.
‘But I think Romero is an intelligent defender, he’s strong and he’s a winner. Van de Ven is fast enough to control him, fast enough to control him in the deep.
‘Gyokeres is a fighter. He will fight with Romero all game long, you’re going to see that. They will be 100% fighting throughout this match, because I see two players that want to fight. Romero will be there to fight for everything. Every single ball, he’s going to throw his head in. Gyokeres will also push Romero, I’m so excited to watch them battle.
Gyokeres has been nursing a hamstring issue (Picture: Getty)
‘This could be a very important game for us to change our momentum. If we can win this game, it could be a game changer for the period ahead.’
More Trending
-
Antoine Semenyo injury update ahead of Bournemouth vs West Ham
Channel: Football Football 1 day ago By Chris Davie - Mikel Arteta gives Viktor Gyokeres injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Tottenham
- Joe Cole urges Chelsea to sign £65m Manchester United target: 'It's a no-brainer'
- Former Arsenal striker backed to replace injured Man Utd star Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal were on a run of 10 straight victories conceding just one goal before dropping points at Sunderland prior to the international break.
While the Gunners will be desperate to secure a win to maintain their lead at the top, Sandro expects his old side to spring a surprise.
‘When you talk about Arsenal and Tottenham, I just want Tottenham to win, 100% of the time,’ he said.
‘But to try to guess is very tough because Arsenal are doing a good job at the moment. Arsenal are in good shape but I think Spurs will win 1-0.’
Arrow MORE: Burnley vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates
Arrow MORE: Mikel Arteta speaks out on Arsenal defensive plan after Gabriel injury
Arrow MORE: Burnley vs Chelsea: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerYour guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
