Mikel Arteta to axe Leandro Trossard in two changes – Arsenal predicted XI v Tottenham
Arsenal and Spurs will square off in the North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 28 April.
Mikel Arteta and his players will look to take another step toward the Premier League title in enemy territory this weekend.
For Ange Postecoglou, the task is clear; stop the Gunners in their tracks and keep Spurs’ UEFA Champions League hopes alive.
Those ambitions are currently hanging by a thread, but three points against Arsenal would certainly restore Tottenham’s belief of catching Aston Villa.
But after Arsenal’s 5-0 win against Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday (23 April) it is clear that beating Arteta’s side won’t be easy, and Tottenham News has taken a look at how the Spaniard could line his players up on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta to make two Arsenal changes against Tottenham on Sunday
David Raya has been the preferred number one over Aaron Ramsdale this season, and the goalkeeper is likely to continue between the sticks after keeping a clean sheet against Chelsea.
Ben White was sensational last time out, scoring twice, while winning four of his five ground duels and making three key passes (Sofascore), and he will likely keep his place at right-back.
Arteta is unlikely to change a settled back-two of Gabriel and William Saliba, with the former completing 98 per cent of his passes against Chelsea while the latter made seven clearances and three tackles.
Takehiro Tomiyasu impressed at left-back, completing 96 per cent of his passes with one of those key, and he is likely to start ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Declan Rice has been one of the signings of the season and should start against Tottenham after making five tackles and registering one assist in Tuesday’s London derby.
Despite impressing against Chelsea, Thomas Partey could be benched.
The Ghanaian has been in and out of the team in recent weeks after an injury-hit season, and Arteta could look to rotate in midfield to keep things fresh, with Jorginho likely to come in.
Martin Odegaard provided two assists and played eight key passes against Mauricio Pochettino’s men, and he should be given the nod to create more havoc at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having scored their last season.
Similar to Partey, despite his goal and overall impressive display, Arteta could replace Leandro Trossard with Martinelli to avoid starting the winger three times in nine days.
Kai Havertz showed his old team what they were missing as he scored twice from the number nine position while also playing two key passes, and he is likely to keep his place up front ahead of Gabriel Jesus.
Bukayo Saka has already netted once against Spurs this season and could look to do so again after providing an assist and playing five key passes last time out.
In other Tottenham news, one player is set to be handed a second chance in North London by Postecoglou.
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