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[Image] No Xhaka or Lacazette: The Arsenal line-up that would smash Tottenham

By mac14 on September 26, 2021

Arsenal take on fierce rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon, kick-off 4.30pm. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Bernd Leno was back in goal and kept a clean sheet during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night but I think Aaron Ramsdale deserves a recall between the sticks.

Arteta seems to have found his best back four so I don’t really think there are too many decisions to make in defence. Takehiro Tomiyasi has made an excellent start to life at Arsenal and should replace Cedric Soares at right-back while Kieran Tierney will come in for Nuno Tavares on the left.

Ben White and Gabriel are our best two centre-backs and seem to be forming a good partnership so I hope we see them recalled against Tottenham with Rob Holding and Pablo Mari making way.

It will be interesting to see what Arteta does in midfield. The boss played with Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard in front of Thomas Partey at Burnley last weekend and I hope the boss goes with that formation this afternoon.

No Xhaka

However, Granit Xhaka is back in contention after serving his three-match suspension and I have a feeling the boss will give him an immediate recall. Let’s see but I hope Xhaka is left on the bench as no matter how well he may play for a few weeks, he always ends up being a liability.

Albert Sambi Lokonga will have to settle for a place among the substitutes as well while Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny are other options for Arteta in the middle of the park.

With Smith Rowe and Odegaard both starting in front of Partey, it means Arsenal can select Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka on the wings. Both players were rested against AFC Wimbledon so should be fresh.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set for a recall after also being rested in midweek. Alexandre Lacazette will have to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring in the League Cup while Gabriel Martinelli is also set to make way.

Arteta has plenty of options all over the park but this is the Arsenal side that I think can smash Tottenham today: