MY ACCOUNT
Tottenham host Arsenal in a keenly-anticipated North London derby on Sunday.
The Gunners enter as overwhelming favourites as they sit 11 points clear of their arch-rivals at the top of the Premier League and also ran out 3-1 victors in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
But their last visit to Spurs was a damning one, as they were beaten 3-0 late in the 2021-22 season — a defeat which ultimately led to them surrendering a top-four place.
With Mikel Arteta’s title-chasers looking to prove they are made of sterner stuff this time around, we have picked out a combined XI made up of players from both sides.
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Picked to marshal the sticks is Arsenal stopper Aaron Ramsdale, who edges out 2018 World Cup winner Hugo Lloris on current form.
Only Newcastle’s Nick Pope has picked up more Premier League clean sheets than the 24-year-old this term as he continues to develop into one of the top flight’s finest keepers.
Right-back: Ben White (Arsenal)
Ben White has been forced to shift to an unfamiliar right-back berth this season but it has proven to be a masterstroke by Arteta so far.
His ability with the ball at his feet has made him a useful outlet on the right flank, while he has also provided the solidity you expect from a £50million defender — so much so that he has kept the talented Takehiro Tomiyasu out of the starting XI.
Centre-back: Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
The first Spurs player to take a shirt is Cristian Romero, who can now lay claim to being a World Cup winner after triumphing with Argentina in Qatar.
Romero, 24, started all but one of La Albiceleste’s seven games during their campaign and has established himself as one of the most promising young defenders on English shores.
Centre-back: Gabriel (Arsenal)
That, perhaps harshly, leaves only one spot to choose between Arsenal duo William Saliba and Gabriel and it is the latter who edges his team-mate out on this occasion.
The Brazilian has been a near ever-present at the heart of the Gunners’ defence since joining in the summer of 2020 and has popped up with two goals for the league leaders this term.
Left-back: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal)
A summer arrival who has played a huge part in transforming Arsenal from top-four hopefuls into potential title challengers, Oleksandr Zinchenko is a worthy pick at left-back.
Like White, the four-time Premier League winner is vital to how Arteta’s men dominate possession, frequently drifting into central midfield positions and dictating play.
Central midfield: Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham)
Spurs’ classy Uruguayan Rodrigo Bentancur takes a place in the deep-lying midfield position having gone from strength to strength since joining from Juventus just 12 months ago.
The 25-year-old has struck an impressive four goals this term and his side’s form has suffered during his spell on the sidelines.
That his hopes of featuring on Sunday currently look slim is a real blow for boss Antonio Conte.
Central midfield: Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)
Partnering Bentancur in a midfield double-pivot is man who not many would have made a case for previously but is now a nailed-on starter — Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss midfielder’s turnaround in fortunes at the Emirates in the last 18 months is symbolic of Arsenal’s renaissance as a club, expertly orchestrating play and managing three goals and four assists this campaign.
Attacking midfield: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
As one of the Premier League’s finest creative players this season, there was no keeping Gunners captain Martin Odegaard out of this XI.
The Norwegian is now being spoken about in the same breath as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne due to his sumptuous displays — with five assists and seven goals an impressive return so far in 2022-23.
Right wing: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The first member of a dangerous looking front three is Bukayo Saka, who continues to dazzle with his exploits on the right flank.
It is easy to forget the England international is still only 21, having now starred for Arsenal for three-and-a-half seasons and impressed at two major tournaments for his country.
Striker: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Saka’s Three Lions team-mate Harry Kane is on course to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record after netting his 198th in the competition against Crystal Palace last time out.
The Spurs No10 is regularly high up in the top flight’s scoring charts but 2022-23 could be one his most productive seasons ever having already found the net 15 times in 18 outings.
Left wing: Heung-Min Son (Tottenham)
Kane’s partner in crime Heung-Min Son is the final member of our XI after narrowly holding off some strong competition from Arsenal’s Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli.
The South Korean has been below par by his own high standards this term but still possesses devastating pace, finishing and ability from long range to hurt any side on his day.
Do you agree with our line-up? Let us know by tweeting @LiveScore.
