Strongest Arsenal line up To Play Against Tottenham – Ox And Podolski To Start

A lip smacking London derby awaits us on Sunday as Arsenal travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham which will prove consequential for both teams for almost different reasons. The Gunners come into this encounter with their heads held high and chins up after a resilient display at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich, which however proved inconsequential at the end as the Bavarians marched on to the next round. Spurs on the other hand, suffered an embarrassing loss at home to Benfica last night. 

Can the Gunners break their shackles and grab a much needed win? We here at Soccersouls provide Arsenal’s strongest squad for Sunday’s blockbuster.

Wojciech Szczesny:

The Polish number one returns to the starting line up after missing the game against Bayern through a ban. He will have to face a Tottenham squad who have blown hot and cold in recent weeks but are capable of scoring against anyone when they are at full throttle. Szczesny needs to be at the top of his game and will have to pluck out numerous saves to nullify the Tottenham’s threat if Arsenal are to win at the Lane.

Defenders:

Emmanuel Adebayor has scored more goals than any other player in the North London derby history (8 for arsenal and 2 for Tottenham) and will be looking to inflict damage on his previous club come this Sunday. Thomas Vermaelen who started at left back against Bayern could again be called if Gibbs or Monreal fail to recover on time before the game.

However, according to the latest update from Arsene Wenger, Monreal will be available and Gibbs will undergo a fitness test later today.

“Kieran Gibbs has a test tomorrow but I am hopeful that Nacho Monreal will be fit. They both have a good chance.”

Bacary Sagna should start as the right back while the ever reliant pair of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny should start in central defense.

Midfield:

Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini will start in central midfield while if I was Arsene Wenger, I would play the impressive Oxlade Chamberlain alongside. The English International was at his very best against the likes of Lahm and Martinez at the Allainz Arena and should be raring to start every game now. 

Tomas Rosicky can take his place at the right, while Santi Cazorla in the absence of Mesut Ozil will start in the hole behind Giroud – a position that suits the Spaniard the most. Lukas Podolski’s performance against Bayern should warrant him another shot in the first team and I would be surprised if Wenger decides to bench the German.

Although, this looks very much of an attacking lineup, Wenger doesn’t really have other choices. The only change that I am forced to think is the midfield combination. Flamini instead of Ox could play in the anchor role and Ox could take his customary role on the right pushing Rosicky to the bench.

Strikeforce:

Olivier Giroud will start as the lone striker up front leading the line against a Tottenham defense which can wilt under pressure. The Frenchman has been far from prolific in recent weeks but Giroud possess the ability to hold the ball using his strength and bring others into play. He, however will have to grab any opportunity that falls his way in the expected tightly closed encounter.

Alternate Lineup: