Arsenal will be looking to make it three in a row when the travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tomorrow. Three straight wins away at their rivals’ ground, something they have not done since the 1980s.
It would reinforce the gap between the two teams in the last few years and ensure the Gunners remain just behind Manchester City and Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.
They will have to do so without some key players though, with Declan Rice suspended and Martin Odegaard out injured following an international break setback. Mikel Arteta’s chosen starting XI will therefore be very interesting to see.
Who plays in the midfield instead of the two missing players? And if Kai Havertz is to drop back, who then plays up front? Does Raheem Sterling get a first start in a big clash? Does youngster Ethan Nwaneri get thrown in?
We asked our football.londonArsenal writers to have their say on the team they would choose for the North London Derby match…
Kaya Kaynak
It’s been a while since we’ve said this, but Arsenal are in something of an injury crisis right now. People have argued that this is due to a lack of activity in the transfer market, or that the international break should be scrapped as a result, but I have to say I disagree.
Arsenal couldn’t possibly legislate for Declan Rice’s ridiculous red card against Brighton, or Gabriel falling on Mikel Merino in training, or Ousmane Dembele falling on Riccardo Calafiori in a freak accident, or Martin Odegaard rolling his ankle in the most inconspicuous of 50/50 challenges. These things happen. It’s now up to Mikel Arteta to find a way to deal with it.
The Spaniard will be delighted that he has David Raya to call upon for calm amid a sea of uncertainty right now. That being said, the Spanish goalkeeper did present Spurs with a route back into the game in this fixture last season and he’ll want to put that right.
In defence there probably isn’t too many changes you would make. If Calafiori isn’t 100% fit then there’s no need to risk him. Instead keep Jurrien Timber at left-back alongside Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel.
In midfield options are limited, but I’m going to try something a bit different. I think that you can stick with Arsenal’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, if you move Oleksandr Zinchenko into that left eight role. He’s never played there for Arsenal, but is a regular in the position for Ukraine and could certainly do a job. With Jorginho behind him you would have a bit of cover for any potential mishaps too. Meanwhile I’m dropping Kai Havertz back in to the right eight to cover for the injured Martin Odegaard. I see the temptation to play Ethan Nwaneri, but this is too big a stage to give him his first Premier League start.
That means that I’m taking a gamble on the fitness of Gabriel Jesus up front. The Brazilian has struggled for availability this season, but he’ll be needed with Arsenal’s injuries elsewhere.
Alongside him I think you need as much pace as possible to try and counter Spurs’ high line. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are the men for the job, but Raheeem Sterling is a great option to replace either off the bench.
Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Tottenham: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Zinchenko, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
