The North London Derby never needs much to get you interested, but this one has a bit more spice to it than usual with two very different storylines unfolding on opposite ends of the table.
Tottenham are a club in flux right now. Their defeat to Newcastle just over a week ago seemed to be the moment it finally clicked that they are genuinely scrapping at the wrong end of the table, and that was enough to seal Thomas Frank’s fate. Igor Tudor has since walked through the door and is looking to bring the kind of mentality that Spurs are desperately crying out for.
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side are feeling the pressure and the title is now in Man City’s hands with the Cityzens having a game in hand and a clash between the two teams to come at the Etihad Stadium
That is because the Gunners missed the opportunity to go seven points clear in midweek as they gave up a 2-0 lead to Wolves to share a 2-2 draw at Molineux against a side destined for the Championship.
Tottenham vs. Arsenal Team News
Tottenham Team News
Cristian Romero is serving the second of his four-match ban after receiving a red card against Manchester United a couple of weeks ago.
That complicates things for Tudor, who prefers a back three, and so Radu Dragusin and Micky van de Ven will likely have a makeshift centre-back alongside them.
They have plenty of injury issues still, despite the change in management, with Kevin Danso a frustrating fresher absentee alongside Destiny Udogie, while Pedro Porro remains a major doubt.
Arsenal Team News
Martin Odegaard was unavailable for Arsenal’s trip to Wolverhampton the other day but Arteta will be hopeful he is available for this Sunday afternoon. Max Dowman is also not too far away but it is unlikely he’d be involved in the match day squad for this one with Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz confirmed absentees. In attack, Arteta has decisions to make as to whether to stick with Gabriel Martinelli or play Noni Madueke on the left, while Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres are gunning for the ‘number nine’ slot.
Tottenham vs. Arsenal Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
This is how we think the two teams will lineup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham predicted lineup to play Arsenal
Vicario (GK) – Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven – Spence, Palhinha, Gallagher, Souza – Simons – Kolo Muani, Tel
Out: Danso, Davies, Udogie, Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison, Kudus, Kulusevski, Odobert
Doubtful: Porro
Suspension: Romero
Arsenal predicted lineup to play Tottenham
Raya (GK) – Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori – Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard – Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke
Out: Merino, Havertz
Doubtful: Odegaard, Dowman
Suspension: N/A