Predicting the Starting Lineup for Tottenham vs. Arsenal

Arsenal’s last visit to Tottenham was a nervy affair, with the Gunners having absolute control of the game in the first half, only to concede two sloppy goals from a David Raya error and Declan Rice conceding a penalty but Arsenal worked hard to maintain their lead as they fought hard for three points.

Tomorrow poses a different challenge, as Arsenal go into the game with Rice suspended and Martin Odegaard injured on international duty. Mikel Arteta will be expected to select a strong XI for a game of this caliber, so Gooner Daily predicts what the starting lineup would look like.

Defense

Neto would have to have to wait a bit longer to make his Arsenal debut, as David Raya will be preferred by Arteta between the sticks. I will also expect a settled backline with Ben White at right back, Jurrien Timber at left back and the ever-present central defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba in the heart of the Arsenal defense.

Riccardo Calafiori suffered a freak injury on international duty and might not be fit enough to feature on the bench.

Midfield

With Mikel Merino and Odegaard on the treatment table, Arsenal is bereft of options in midfield, so I’d expect Thomas Partey and Jorginho to be the midfield pairing tomorrow. Kai Havertz will have to drop from his attacking position as the de-facto center forward to attacking midfield, linking up play between the midfield and attacking third.

Attack

With Arteta confirming in his press conference that Gabriel Jesus is fit, he will be expected to spearhead the attack, with Havertz dropping to midfield. Bukayo Saka will certainly start as the right winger, and it will be another tussle between Gabi Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, but a game like this favors the pace of Martinelli.

We expect the Gunners to show the great passion we always see in the North London Derby and it will be an enthralling encounter.