The North London derby will be emanating from Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Never has a derby had such monumental repercussions for the top 4 qualification, if the Arsenal win, they’ll go within one point of Spurs in the table.
Here’s a North London derby combined XI (4-3-3).
11 GK: Hugo Lloris
It’s not that the Frenchman is world class, it’s just that his counterpart Petr Cech isn’t up to par anymore. To be frank, the majority of Arsenal fans are just waiting for the day that the former Czech international announces his retirement. He used to be world class, something Hugo Lloris knows nothing about.
10 RB: Kieran Trippier
When Kyle Walker left, many pointed to Kieran Trippier’s presence in the squad as a reason not to fear. And boy were they right. The former Burnley man has seamlessly replaced the 29-year-old whilst simultaneously keeping out new signing Serge Aurier from the starting XI. At this stage in his career, he’s far more developed than Hector Bellerín.
9 CB: Davinson Sánchez
The £40million man has flawlessly slotted into Mauricio Pochettino’s team. His versatility has allowed him to play in both a back three and four this season. Sánchez’s exceptional physical traits mean he’s been able to adjust to the physicality of the Premier League, making him a competent 1v1 defender.
8 CB: Laurent Koscielny
Despite being at the tether end of his career, Laurent Koscielny is still one of the best defenders in the Premier League today. His ability to adjust to situations on his feet have allowed him to survive in a defensively naïve Arsène Wenger Arsenal team.
7 LB: Nacho Monreal
The Spaniard has apparently added goalscoring to his list of exceptional traits this season. But regardless of that, there are not many full-backs in world football more effective in the final third than Nacho Monreal. His link-up play and timing of runs are perfect and constantly help Arsenal to break down low-block teams.
6 CDM: Victor Wanyama
The Kenyan international is world class when it comes to breaking up play and initiating attacks. These are two traits that his Swiss counterpart Granit Xhaka does not excel at, instead, Xhaka has been a train wreck in Arsenal’s midfield, often leaving the Gunners exposed on the counter.
5 CM: Moussa Dembele
There aren’t many better ball-carriers in the world than Moussa Dembele, when the balls at his feet, it’s near impossible to dispossess him. On the counter-attack he literally travels through the middle third at lightning speed, often getting his team out trouble.
4 CM: Jack Wilshere
Just like Gary Neville said, Jack Wilshere is by far and away England’s most gifted midfielder. He can dictate games, create chances and link-up with others well. You can’t have a North London combined XI without the best midfielder in England, can you?
3 LW: Mesut Özil
Since arriving in England, Mesut Özil has provided 49 assists, completed 8,918 passes and scored 27 goals in 137 Premier League appearances. He’s a striker’s dream and since he joined the Gunners, no player in the league has been more creative than him. LW may not be his preferred position, but he’s so good that he can create from anywhere.
2 RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
José Mourinho may not have been able to see it, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a player with world-class ability. The 29-year-old has great ball control, brilliant vision and a God-given technical ability. Besides Manchester City, there’s no starting XI in England he couldn’t get into.
1 ST: Harry Kane
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang may have just signed for £56million, but if Harry Kane were to be sold tomorrow, he’d go for more than double that. Harry Kane is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world and the records he keeps breaking only re-enforce that.
