The former Arsenal striker singled out the Spurs youngster as one to keep an eye on ahead of the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal great Ian Wright says he ‘can’t wait to see’ Tottenham left-back Destiny Udogie in person before tomorrow’s North London Derby. The 20-year-old has been instrumental in Spurs’ unblemished start to the current Premier League season, which has seen them win four consecutive games.
Since Ange Postecoglou took charge in July, his team has only lost once in all competitions, a penalty shootout loss to Fulham in the Carabao Cup’s second round. Despite that hiccup, they went on to demolish Burnley 5-2 at Turf Moor before completing the latest top-flight comeback on record with Dejan Kulusevski’s 100th-minute winner in their 2-1 triumph against Sheffield United.
Udogie has been a significant part of their excellent start after joining from Serie A club Udinese, with two assists in five games this season. Prior to the start of the season, the teenager said that while Postecoglou normally plays with a rigid left-back, he’s fine for him to burst forward, which he’s demonstrated is a true ability of his.
“The new gaffer is fantastic. “I’m prepared to work for him,” he stated. “He doesn’t say much, but you can tell he knows football.” It’s OK if he doesn’t say too much.
“I like his football concept.” He wants to play football and have possession of the ball. It’s not like I protect and then attack. I’d want to have the ball.
“Obviously, he plays 4-3-3, so he’s a left-back, not a left wing-back.” It’s good because I appreciate the way he analyses football. I’m good since I used to be a left-back. So it’s not an issue for me. It’s normal for me because I know how to play it.
“I believe that as a left wing-back, you are more free to attack and have more space to attack.” You obviously play full width, so it’s different, but as a left-back, you must defend. It’s more, not harder, but busier. There are further alternatives.”
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On the other side of North London though, Arsenal have had an equally impressive start to the season, sat only behind their bitter rivals in the league table on goal difference. Mikel Arteta’s men have remained unbeaten over their first five games, with a 3-1 win over Manchester United and 1-0 win over struggling Everton now behind them.
They managed to race out to a 3-0 first half lead over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek also, with captain Martin Odegaard finishing the game off late on to cement their imposing form coming into this weekend. Ahead of the clash, Arteta highlighted his side’s ability to adapt to Postecoglou’s team will be the main talking point of the weekend.
“[It’ll be] a new challenge, a new opportunity. Obviously, they have a new manager that has done really, really well. He has changed the vibe and everything around the club.
“[He has a] different style, as well. [We must] adapt to that, be ourselves and produce the performance we need to beat them.
The Gunners have won all three of their home games against Spurs during Arteta’s reign over the dugout. But despite Arteta and Arsenal’s confidence going into the match, Wright picked out the Spurs star as someone that supporters of both sides should keep a close eye on when the two teams meet at the Emirates on Sunday.
“You know someone who has to get some love as well for going under the radar, [Destiny] Udogie,” Wright explained on his Wrighty’s House podcast earlier this week. “You watch Spurs and they have put together some players that you look at and think it’s a team that are shutting up everything.
“He has given them stability and a progression of the ball that is very impressive. The man is going under the radar. I cannot wait to see this guy, I can’t wait to see him live.”