Arsenal Team News: Expected XI vs Tottenham as Arteta dealt three boosts and three blows – Here We Go
Arsenal will hope that a successful start to the season will lead to a victory over Tottenham in the first north London derby of the campaign.
Mikel Arteta has had to deal with several injuries already this season but could welcome back three key stars. Express Sport looks at a predicted Arsenal team to start at the Emirates Stadium.
Goalkeeper: Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale enjoyed a successful international break without playing a game. The Arsenal shot-stopper is surely now the No 2 to England’s Jordan Pickford after Nick Pope endured a tough couple of performances against Italy and Germany.
There was some bafflement that it was not Ramsdale who was selected to deputise for the injured Pickford given his form this season. The 24-year-old is Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper and is set to feature in his third North London Derby.
Midfielders: Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard
Arsenal will check on the fitness of midfield pair Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard before the Spurs game. Both featured for their nations during the international break, although Partey withdrew from Ghana’s squad due to a knee issue.
Odegaard missed the win over Brentford and Arteta has goalscoring full debutant Fabio Vieira waiting for another opportunity if the Norwegian cannot play. Vieira was excellent against the Bees, scoring a wonderful effort from long range.
The reinvented Granit Xhaka will have a key role to play in midfield, preventing the likes of Rodrigo Bentacur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from controlling the game. Mohamed Elneny is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Attackers: Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Arsenal could be without Emile Smith Rowe until December after the England playmaker underwent surgery on an ongoing groin problem. The 21-year-old has now been ruled out until after the World Cup, ruining his chances of featuring for the Three Lions in Qatar.
Smith Rowe had played just 47 minutes of football before he worsened his groin injury during the cool-down after Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat by Manchester United. His absence will allow Gabriel Martinelli to continue his extended run in Arteta’s team.
