Title chasing Arsenal journey to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday within the first North London derby of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s facet dropped their first factors of the season previous to the worldwide break after they had been held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton and Hove Albion at The Emirates.
The Gunners have due to this fact taken seven factors from their opening three video games, however Arteta might be with out various key gamers for the sport in opposition to Spurs.
Right here, we predict the XI that he may choose for the match.
Goalkeeper
It didn’t take lengthy for David Raya to usurp Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s first selection ‘keeper when he arrived on mortgage from Brentford final season, and the Spaniard stays primary 12 months on. With Ramsdale having since departed the membership, Raya stays firmly Arteta’s first selection and he’ll begin in opposition to the Lilywhites.
Defenders
Arsenal have conceded simply as soon as to date this season – in opposition to Brighton final trip – and Arteta will hope to see his facet report one other clear sheet on Sunday. Ben White will due to this fact begin at right-back, and can seemingly be tasked with retaining Son Heung-Min quiet.
Within the centre of defence, Gabriel and William Saliba are set to start out as soon as once more. The pair have fashioned a formidable partnership over the previous coupe of years, and Arteta might be hoping that they’ll maintain Spurs at bay on Sunday.
On the left of defence, Jurrien Timber could possibly be given one other begin forward of Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Dutchman missed a lot of final season after being injured on the opening day of the season, however he has featured in all three of the Gunners’ matches to date this time period. Takehiro Tomiyasu stays sidelined.
Midfielders
Midfield is the place most of Arteta’s choice issues lie, with Declan Rice sidelined after his purple card in opposition to Brighton. Martin Odegaard can be now unavailable after struggling an ankle harm while on worldwide responsibility with Norway.
Which means Thomas Partey is sort of sure to start out the derby, almost certainly alongside Jorginho. Partey has performed each minute of Arsenal’s Premier League marketing campaign to date, whereas Jorginho is but to make an look having been an unused substitute on all three events.
Jorginho is in line for his first look of the season on Sunday
With Odegaard lacking, Kai Havertz could possibly be utilized in a ‘quantity 10’ position. The German typically operated behind the striker throughout his time with Bayer Leverkusen, and Arteta may deploy him in an analogous place on Sunday with only a few different choices obtainable.
Forwards
Bukayo Saka performed in each of England’s video games in the course of the worldwide break however he may have little time for relaxation and can undoubtedly begin in opposition to Tottenham on Sunday. The winger will make his 230th look for his boyhood membership, and might be hoping so as to add to his tally of 59 objectives.
By way of the center, Gabriel Jesus may make a well timed return to motion following harm. The Brazilian made a substitute look on the opening weekend of the season however hasn’t featured since, however he could possibly be deployed in entrance of Havertz on Sunday.
Jesus has missed Arsenal’s final two video games as a consequence of harm
On the left, Leandro Trossard could possibly be given the nod forward of Gabriel Martinelli and new signing Raheem Sterling. Trossard scored in opposition to Aston Villa earlier than the worldwide break, however he has by no means managed to ascertain himself as a assured starter for a chronic time period below Arteta.
