Arsenal are flying high at the moment, having won three back to back games. The Gunners have scored five and conceded none in that period. Mikel Arteta looks to have found his tune before matching up against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham, on the other hand, have lost both their last two matches in the league. However, a derby is always expected to have an unexpected twist regardless of the teams’ current forms.
Arteta gave Thomas Partey some much needed minutes against AFC Wimbledon to boost his fitness. He will be the key player for Arsenal in midfield as he looks to set the tempo of the match. Arsenal really have looked different since having him and Gabriel back in their squad.
Predicted Arsenal Line Up Against Tottenham Hotspur
Defence
Aaron Ramsdale has not put a foot wrong since making his debut for the Gunners. He will be their custodian in goal, and Leno will go back to the bench after playing in the Carabao Cup game midweek.
All first team regulars will return as Kieran Tierney will start at the left-hand side of the defence. Takehiro Tomiyasu will keep his spot as well after resounding displays against Norwich and Burnley.
Ben White looked a bit shaky against Burnley. However, he looks set to pair up with Gabriel at the centre back spots. The duo has been really complementary to each other since they paired up. They will look to continue their streak of keeping clean sheets against Tottenham.
Midfield
Arteta has been deploying a flat three in midfield, with Martin Odegaard having a licence to venture forward. The recipe will be the same this time around as well. Thomas Partey will sit back slightly to protect the back four while Emile Smith Rowe will keep things ticking in midfield. The Englishman scored his first goal of the season against AFC Wimbledon and looks like he is regaining his confidence.
Martin Odegaard scored a peach of a goal against Burnley. He looks set to start after being rested in the cup game. On the other hand, Sambi Lokonga and Maitland-Niles will look to come on from the bench and look to block passing lanes in the second half, if required.
Attack
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be leading the Gunners in the North London Derby. He will probably find himself at the left-hand side of the attack to accommodate Lacazette through the middle. The Frenchman will likely lead the line for Arsenal after his excellent form in the cup games.
Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe both have the ability to play from the right. However, the Englishman looks set to start ahead of Pepe because of his defensive awareness and trackbacks.
Both Eddie Nketiah & Gabriel Martinelli were in good touch in the midweek and will be hoping for a similar impact coming on from the bench.
