For Arsenal, the north London derby could not have come at a worse time.
The Gunners, who journey to Tottenham within the Premier League this Sunday, discover themselves with out two of their most outstanding figures. Declan Rice is at present suspended after seeing crimson in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier than the worldwide break, whereas Martin Odegaard is set to overlook a number of weeks after sustaining an damage with Norway.
Having did not beat Brighton final outing, Arsenal must style victory this Sunday as they give the impression of being to maintain tempo with Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool on the summit of the Premier League desk. Mikel Arteta, who has agreed a brand new contract with the Gunners, should make some massive selections in pursuit of victory.
Right here is how Arsenal might line up on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
GK: David Raya – The Arsenal stopper has efficiently seen off Aaron Ramsdale together with his persistently spectacular performances however certainly one of his darker days got here on this actual fixture final season when he gifted Cristian Romero a objective.
RB: Ben White – The person tasked with stopping Tottenham’s talisman Heung-min Son, White has had two weeks of rest as his feud with the England camp continues.
CB: William Saliba – Whether or not he comes up in opposition to an orthodox striker in Dominic Solanke or a false 9 in Dejan Kulusevski, the French centre-back will nearly definitely be sensible.
CB: Gabriel – Arsenal’s centre-back partnership was key to essentially the most defiant defence within the division final time period they usually have already got two clear sheets to boast this season. Gabriel might not earn the plaudits of Saliba, however he is blossomed right into a mighty tremendous defender.
LB: Jurrien Timber – With Takehiro Tomiyasu sidelined, Timber can be combating Oleksandr Zinchenko for a beginning berth on Sunday. The versatile Dutchman was favoured in opposition to Brighton and will retain his spot.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey’s presence has typically allowed Rice extra freedom to roam however he might need to do a little bit of roaming himself on the weekend together with his teammate suspended.
CM: Jorginho – More likely to are available in to the facet and act because the anchor in midfield, Jorginho endured a troublesome north London derby on the Emirates Stadium final season and can be eager to get the higher of James Maddison on this event.
CM: Kai Havertz – Having developed right into a lethal quantity 9, Havertz could also be utilised as a midfielder this weekend. He can be tasked with changing Odegaard’s creativity within the engine room.
RW: Bukayo Saka – The dynamic winger scored dwelling and away on this fixture final season and has picked up from the place he left off firstly of 2024/25. He’ll fancy his probabilities in opposition to Future Udogie.
ST: Leandro Trossard – Trossard has been used as a substitute centre-forward at instances by Arteta and with Gabriel Jesus presumably sidelined, he could also be requested to carry out the function on the massive stage in opposition to two aggressive Tottenham centre-backs.
LW: Raheem Sterling – May Sterling be chucked within the deep finish for his debut this weekend? Very presumably given the underwhelming type of Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard’s potential re-positioning.
