Arsenal v Tottenham: Combined XI – no place for Kai Havertz
Tottenham face their fiercest rivals Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening with the two sides worlds apart in the Premier League table.
Arsenal look likely to be involved in a title race despite the pressure on Mikel Arteta, while very few could predict how the season will pan out for Tottenham.
The two sides face off against each other on 15 January in the hope of gaining the bragging rights in the North London derby.
However, who would feature in a combined XI from the two squads at full strength? Tottenham News has a look…
Kai Havertz misses out as James Maddison features – Tottenham and Arsenal combined XI
David Raya gets his place between the sticks, only marginally pipping Guglielmo Vicario to the starting spot. Both have impressed for their respective clubs but Raya probably just gets the nod here.
A first Tottenham inclusion is at right-back with Pedro Porro. The Spaniard has been a key figure for Spurs and it would be hard to make a case against him starting for most, if not every, team in the Premier League.
Micky van de Ven, prior to his injury, was outstanding for Tottenham. But for that reason alone, a defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel is in the heart of the back four, with another Arsenal inclusion at left-back in Riccardo Calafiori.
James Maddison has been integral throughout his time at Tottenham and it wouldn’t be a best XI without him alongside Gunners powerhouse Declan Rice.
No need for a Martin Odegaard or Maddison debate here, with both players slotting into the staring 11, the former playing in the 10 role.
Out wide, Bukayo Saka was in fine form for Arsenal prior to his recent lay-off, while Son Heung-min – despite having his critics – has contributed to his fair share of goals and assists.
As for the striker, Dominic Solanke gets the nod over Kai Havertz.
In other Tottenham news, Arteta could make three changes to his XI to face Spurs.
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