Arsenal will make the short trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon for the North London derby, and could be boosted by returns from injury.
Thomas Partey has been missing since the loss to Aston Villa just before the international break, but returned to training yesterday as confirmed by Mikel Arteta in his press conference (via our Twitter).
Unfortunately there is no guarantees that he will prove his fitness in time to feature however, but the player is pushing to get back involved, and fingers crossed he is ready to play.
David Luiz may also be ready to return to action after his collision with Raul Jimenez last week. The backroom team opted to rest him in midweek to allow his gash time to recover.
Gabriel Martinelli is the only player confirmed by Arsenal as missing through injury, as he continues his rehabilitation from the knee injury he suffered in June, while there could be a first Premier League appearance of the season for Pablo Mari, who made his long-awaited return to action on Thursday.
Nicolas Pepe is also absent thanks to his disappointing red card against Leeds two weeks ago.
Predicted XI:
Leno
Bellerin Holding Gabriel Tierney
Elneny Partey Saka
Willian Lacazette Aubameyang
I feel like Laca’s confidently taken goal will get hi back in the team today, although I’m not sure if Arteta will opt with a 4-2-3-1 with Laca in behind, or return to the 4-3-3 with Aubz on the left (as above).
Who do you expect to get the nod to start the big game? Did Mari look fit and ready enough on Thursday to deserve consideration?
Patrick
Put Saka in place of Willian and then put AMN with Elneny and Partey
William should not be on the derby this evening.
I hope this isn’t the line-up…Willian deserves to sit. He offers next to nothing on the pitch at the moment. AMN needs to be in this game. I also doubt we will see Partey. I have a bad feeling Xhaka will also start. Bellerin has also been absolute trash in a back 4.
Here’s what I’d like to see.
Leno
Holding Luiz Gabriel
Bellerin. Tierney
Elneny. AMN
Saka
Nelson. Auba
Laca*
*I would have Nketiah keeping warm in the touch line letting Laca know his leash is short.
Nelson can do better in Willian’s place
Leno
Cedric… Holding… Gabriel… Tierney
Elneny… Partey… Ceballos
Willian… Aubameyang… Nelson
That’s the most balanced lineup, with all people playing in their rightful positions; with Bellerin and Xhaka getting their rightful positions on the bench.
If Partey is not fit, then
Leno
Cedric… Holding… Gabriel… Tierney
M-Niles… Elneny… Ceballos
Willian… Aubameyang… Nelson
Willian is a definite starter in Arsenal, don’t mind the negative people who don’t know what they’re saying and are just like headless chickens.
Us Gooners shouldn’t show any anxieties nor be panicked or become afraid as to what the outcome game result of today’s afternoon Premier League North London Derby big game match between the host Tottenham Hotspur and their guest Arsenal will be.
For, without an iota of any doubts, my convictions and beliefs have informed me ostensibly that the Gunners playing at away to Tottenham at their New White Hart Lane Stadium will beat the Spuds and collect the whole 3 points that will be at stake in the match for collection at the end ogre the match.
I like your spirit Samuel
COYG
Need to start seeing some kind of footballing strategy from arteta coz so far it’s not very different from Emery … They are basically another version of Leicester well drilled defensively with a very threatening counter attack so we need a 4 4 2 combo to neutralize that doesn’t cede middle of parka .. I thought Mari looked like an organiser the other night but not sure he’s ready for this kind of game and with Pepe out and Willian showing little would have to go with lacazette on back of Thursday though I am not convinced by his pairing with aube …. so would go with
Cedric gab holding tiernay
AMN el neny ceballos saka
Laca aube
my 433 line up would be :
Hector Holding Gabi Terney
AMN Party Alneny/Saka
Nelson Laca Auba
and 4231 would be
Hector Holding Gabi Terney
Party AMN/Elneny
Nelson Laca Saka
Auba
This is the team I think Arteta will put out.
Aubameyang,
Willian, Ceballos, Saka,
Xhaka, Elneny,
Tierney, Gabriel, Holding, Bellerin,
Leno.
This would be my preferred line up –
Aubameyang,
Saka, Lacazette, Nelson,
Elneny, M-Niles,
Tierney, Gabriel, Holding, Bellerin,
Leno.
The line up is out and I join those that are calling for Arteta out. Xhaka is playing while Elneny is benched, Willian is playing also who I really hate seeing in our lineup. I’m not watching this match because I’m already afraid after seeing willian.
Willian is useless