Zinchenko new role, Gabriel Jesus gamble, Kai Havertz call – Arsenal North London Derby lineups
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?
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.
