Arsenal have shown a lot of resilience in their recent game, winning games from the cusp of defeat at Ludogorets and turning a draw to a win against Sunderland. Compared to their previous seasons, the Gunners are showing a better fight for the title and they expect it to continue when they host their fierce rival Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur are the only team in the Premier League who are yet to lose a single game. They started the season brilliantly but since have slipped to three points behind Arsenal after a number of lacklustre performances in the league. A derby, however, always brings out the best of the two teams and the fixture has produced some of the brilliant battles till date.
Pochettino is undefeated in his 4 Premier League north London derbies and Arsenal are winless in their last 4 Premier league north London derbies. drawing 3 and losing 1. However, all is not gloomy for Arsenal as they have never gone five matches without a win against the Spurs. They have also scored in 42 of their 43 meetings.
Defence
Arsene is expected to start with his best four at the back- who are Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Hector Bellerin. However, Monreal’s situation is a bit uncertain at the moment after suffering an injury, in which case Kieran Gibbs will continue to take the position of left back.
Gibbs will expect to avoid the disastrous defending he did against Ludogorets that led to the second goal against Tottenham Hotspur as a comeback will not be as easy against Poch’s men.
The pairing of Mustafi and Koscielny have put in a disciplined and compact performance with little errors. They would be looking to avoid any carelessness in the big match.
Midfield
There have been mixed reports about Santi Cazorla’s injury status with some saying the Spaniard is uncertain for the match and some saying he was rested in the midweek for the derby game. Considering Wenger’s precautionary measures in the past, he is surely resting the talent midfielder if there is even an ounce of doubt.
Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny is expected to take the anchoring role. Although Granit Xhaka has returned from the suspension and even scored the first goal against Ludogorets, his undisciplined tackling will prevent him from starting.
Mesut Ozil will take his position behind the striker in the number 10 position. After his sublime goal against Ludogorets, a lot will be expected from the German.
Attack
Walcott shares the same uncertainty with Monreal and Cazorla and we expect him to go a late fitness test before his selection. We expect Wenger to start with Alexis Sanchez on the left flank and Aaron Ramsey on the right flank, who will be looking to put in the ball for Olivier Giroud, who has been in hot form scoring 3 goals in 2 matches.
