Arsenal vs Tottenham – North London Derby Combined XI | OneFootball

Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the latest instalment of the North London Derby this evening.

One of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures on the Premier League calendar returns, in a contest that rarely lacks entertainment. Arsenal will start as favourites and can move within four points of leaders Liverpool with a win, though Spurs will be keen to derail their rival’s title bid and get a stuttering season back on track.

Ahead of the clash, we’ve picked our Combined XI from the two squads – using only available players.

Arsenal vs Tottenham – North London Derby Combined XI

Goalkeeper: David Raya – Arsenal

Antonin Kinsky has made a solid start at Spurs since arriving from Slavia Prague this month, but the 21-year-old misses out to David Raya for selection here. Raya has grown in importance at Arsenal since arriving from Brentford, winning the Premier League’s Golden Glove last season. He ranks second for clean sheets (7) and third for save percentage (76.1%) in the Premier League this season.

Right-back: Pedro Porro – Tottenham

Pedro Porro is one of several Spurs players to have endured an up-and-down campaign, but the right-back is a hugely effective option when at his best. The Spaniard has brilliant delivery and has recorded four assists in the Premier League this season. Only Antonee Robinson and Rayan Ait-Nouri have more among defenders.

Despite reservations over his defensive game, Porro ranked second for dribblers tackled across Europe’s top five leagues in 2023/24.

Centre-back: William Saliba – Arsenal

William Saliba’s introduction to the Arsenal side has coincided with the Gunners’ emergence as one of Europe’s best defensive outfits. Composure personified, Saliba has earned consecutive inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year and made The Best FIFA Men’s 11 for 2024. There are not many better centre-backs in world football right now.

Centre-back: Gabriel – Arsenal

Saliba’s central defensive partner joins him in our Combined XI, having formed a rock-like understanding for Arsenal. A straightforward selection given the absences of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Gabriel has evolved into a dominant presence in both penalty boxes for the Gunners.

Left-back: Jurrien Timber – Arsenal

Jurrien Timber deserves immense credit for the campaign he has put together. After his debut season was decimated by an ACL injury, he’s bounced back in style. The Dutchman is a tenacious defender and cool in possession. His ability to slot in seamlessly across the back four is priceless.

Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal

Arsenal need Declan Rice back to his best with the midfielder short of his usual standard right now. Rice, however, can be the driving force of Arsenal’s engine room with intelligent ball-winning and purposeful surges forward. An impactful North London Derby performance will go a long way to returning to form.

Midfield: James Maddison – Tottenham

James Maddison is a lovely footballer to watch but, like many of his Spurs teammates, has not quite clicked consistently this season. That said, a return of 12 goals and assists from 14 league starts is a healthy return from the 28-year-old, who Ange Postecoglou needs to coax more from.

Midfield: Martin Odegaard – Arsenal

Arsenal’s chief creator completes our midfield trio. Martin Odegaard is another whose form has not reached previous standards but there have been encouraging glimpses of late. Against Manchester United at the weekend, he created 10 chances – the most by a Premier League player in any game this season. His teammates can not afford to be so wasteful.

Right-wing: Dejan Kulusevski – Tottenham

Dejan Kulusevski has been the standout of a struggling Spurs side this season. The Swede combines deceptive strength with nimble footwork, while no Premier League player has covered more ground per 90 (12.4km) than Kulusevski this season. He’s already matched his goal return from last season (8) and has added eight assists. At just 24, the best might still be to come.

Left-wing: Heung-min Son – Tottenham

It’s an indicator of the quality of Heung-min Son that some have suggested the South Korean is on the decline this season. The 32-year-old has averaged a Premier League goal or assist every 113 minutes and will be the player Arsenal most fear this evening. Son has scored seven previous goals in the North London Derby.

Forward: Dominic Solanke – Tottenham

Dominic Solanke edges out Kai Havertz for the centre-forward role in our side. Solanke has made a solid start at Spurs since his club-record arrival from Bournemouth, despite a difficult campaign in North London.

Ange Postecoglou admitted recently that Solanke has ‘carried’ the frontline for Spurs on occasion. A return of 11 goals and seven assists is a respectable return as we reach mid-January and he’s got eight goal involvements in eight games against the ‘Big Six’ this season.

Read – Arsenal vs Tottenham – Match preview and team news

See more – Moyes, Mourinho, Redknapp – Five Premier League managers who returned for second spells

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