Arsenal are set to take on neighbors and fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspurs in the latest round of the North London Derby in a Matchday Six clash at the Emirates Stadium on Super Sunday.


The Gunners have somehow managed to overturn their disastrous start to the season by winning their last three matches in all competitions, and keeping a clean sheet in the process, while Tottenham Hotspurs are winless in their last three games - having lost two in the Premier League and drawing the other one in regulation time in the Carabao Cup third round against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which they eventually won via penalties.

Though the Gunners are seemingly back to winning ways following their recent run of results, you still get the feeling that there are plenty who still aren't convinced with the team. Coach Mikel Arteta needs a positive result and a credible performance which will count as evidence of progress in the right direction.





Though the Gunners are seemingly back to winning ways following their recent run of results, you still get the feeling that there are plenty who still aren't convinced with the team. Coach Mikel Arteta needs a positive result and a credible performance which will count as evidence of progress in the right direction.


Part of that will be to put out a strong team against Tottenham Hotspurs - who will also be eyeing a good outcome in their bid to challenge for the champions league places.

GOALKEEPER: Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale will surely keep his place in goal after his fine displays of recent, despite reports German international Bernd Leno could return.


DEFENCE: Another summer recruit Takehiro Tomiyasu, Englishman Ben White, Brazilian international Gabriel and Kieran Tierney were all rested in the Carabao Cup third round victory over AFC Wimbledon in midweek and barring any last minute injury problems, they will resume their partnership that is still yet to concede a goal.

MIDFIELD: This is where things get interesting, but Mikel Arteta should be able to handle the situation. The Spaniard has imposed his preferred 4-3-3 formation upon his side, with Thomas Partey playing as the number six, and Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe operating either side of the Ghanaian.

Whether that formation would be adopted now that Swiss international Granit Xhaka has returned from suspension, remains to be seen. Xhaka has shown time and again that he doesn't have the awareness to play on his own in a deep lying midfield role and this could rule him out of playing the Thomas Partey 'six' position.

Whatever formation Arteta adopts, he should bear in mind that it would impact how the front line is set up, meaning that one of either Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or Emile Smith Rowe would have to miss out. When the Gunners last faced Spurs, Arteta fielded Smith Rowe on the left with Tierney overlapping and Saka over on the right combining with Odegaard as a number 10. That decision ultimately paid off as Arsenal eventually overcame Jose Mourinho's side.

ATTACK: Expect skipper Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to be given the nod upfront. Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette has an impressive record against Tottenham but would have to make a difference off the bench.

ARSENAL STARTING XI VS TOTTENHAM: Aaron Ramsdale; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel, Kieran Tierney; Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe; Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.


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