Strongest Arsenal Line-up To Face Tottenham – Play Ozil As No 10 Again

It is that weekend when the North London bragging rights are up for contest as Arsenal host Tottenham at the Emirates on Saturday evening. It is that weekend when reputations, form and past records mean very little as two North London powerhouses square off in one of the most hotly contested derbies in the game.

Arsenal overcame their Champions League disappointment with a convincing win against Aston Villa, but were subsequently knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Southampton. The players would be hurting and eager to prove a point, and what better occasion than the North London derby to get back to winning ways.

Tottenham, on the other hand, would be itching to get their season up and running after a bright start was cut short by sloppy defeats against Liverpool and then against West Brom last weekend. Tottenham have been at the receiving end of recent North London derbies, but a fresh look about the team could well make a difference.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would be pleased to have a plethora of options at his disposal despite French full back Mathieu Debuchy being out with injury. Wenger’s experiment with the 4-1-4-1 has failed to produce dividends so far, so the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 seems the way forward.

Let’s take a look at the likely Arsenal XI which could take the field against Spurs on Saturday.

GK – Wozceich Szczesny

David Ospina looked comfortable in his much awaited debut against Southampton in the week, but Polish No.1 Szczesny has done little wrong to lose his place in the team. He well and truly remains Arsenal’s No.1 at the moment.

Defence

Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs.

Hector Bellerin remains an option, but is unlikely to be thrown into the spotlight in a match of this magnitude. Calum Chambers, therefore, makes his third start in a week, this time at right back to cover for the injured Mathieu Debuchy. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny deserved their full week’s rest, given both were soldiering on with knocks but Arsenal’s most consistent central defensive partnership in recent years will start in this high stakes fixture. Given Mertesacker isn’t the quickest bloke around and Koscielny’s positioning can be a touch suspect at times, Arsenal have to be wary of Spurs’ counter-attacking threat. Kieran Gibbs is a unchallenged starter at left back.

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Midfield

Arteta, Wilshere, Sanchez, Ozil, Cazorla.

Mikel Arteta is the heart beat of the team and is one of the first names of the team sheet, when fit. Aaron Ramsey’s poor patch of form would mean Jack Wilshere will start alongside Arteta. Wilshere has been Arsenal’s most creative player in recent times and has looked like getting back to his best form. Mesut Oezil is most effective when he is playing in the hole, and unburdened by defensive duties. Arsene Wenger should know that a player of Oezil’s ability will provide that spark if played in his favourite position, and the change to a 4-2-3-1 could well extract the best out of the silky German.

Alexis Sanchez is a livewire on the pitch. His commitment in tracking back and mopping up at the back as well as his energy on the right flank makes him an asset. Santi Cazorla’s inclusion will add that extra touch of creativity and vision to Arsenal’s play, given the dynamic Spaniard can whip a cross in as effectively as he can play a one-two with Oezil or Wilshere.

Striker

Danny Welbeck may not have made an instant impact since switching cities to the Capital, but his runs and ability on the ball make Arsenal a better all-round team.

Arsenal Line-up To Face Tottenham

Szczesny

Chambers   Koscielny    Mertesacker    Gibbs

Arteta    Ramsey

Sanchez              Ozil               Cazorla

Welbeck