Arsenal take on arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this coming weekend and the Gunners will need to win this match if want to remain on the top of the table.
Arsenal are just one point ahead of Man City and Spurs so anything other than a win will push them down the table. If they were to suffer a defeat then they could end this matchweek as the third-placed team.
The Gunners have lost only a single game in the league this season and that was an away game against Manchester United. They are unbeaten in their previous six home matches in the PL but Spurs are in no way a walk-over opponent.
The last time these two sides met, Spurs won that match 3-0 but a lot of things have changed at Arsenal since then so this one is going to be a much more even contest.
The previous three North London derbies have seen nine goals and with the way both teams are currently playing, we expect a goal fest on Saturday afternoon as well.
Arsenal’s team news and injuries for the NLD:
Before the international break, Mikel Arteta had several of his regulars missing but we should see the return of most of them this weekend.
Oleksandr Zinchenko missed the Brentford game with a calf injury but as per the latest reports, he should be back in contention. Arteta does have Tierney available but if Zinchenko is fully fit then he will start ahead of the Scottish international.
Cédric Soares is another player who is expected to make a comeback from an injury lay-off but we don’t think the Arsenal boss is going to shift Ben White from the right-back spot.
Thomas Partey picked up a knee injury while playing against Brazil and while his national team’s coach has claimed that he will return to action very soon but there’s very little chance that the midfielder is going to be fit for the derby.
🗣️ Ghana NT manager Otto Addo on Thomas Partey: “Hopefully Thomas will be healthy soon. We didn't want to take that risk in a friendly game to play him against Brazil but surely playing a player like him against a squad like Brazil would have been helpful.” (via @ghanafaofficial) pic.twitter.com/Mv4X4OY7zd
— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) September 27, 2022
This will be a big headache because Elneny is also out with a thigh injury which means Lokonga will have to come in and partner Xhaka. Zinchenko can also play as a holding midfielder but we don’t think Arteta will make this selection gamble against Conte’s Spurs.
Martin Odegaard missed the Bees clash but he has made a full recovery and even played 71 minutes against Slovenia. This will be a blow to summer signing Fabio Vieira because he had a great game playing as the No 10 against Brentford.
Arteta is not going to make any changes to his forward line unless there’s a late injury concern.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Spurs:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Gabriel, William Saliba, Ben White, Zinchenko; Lokonga, Xhaka; Odegaard, Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus.
