Arsenal’s predicted line-up against Tottenham: Raya starts again; Jesus first Mikel Arteta will carry over the changes from the Everton game but is likely to keep Arsenal’s line-up unchanged from midweek for the north London derby.
The North London Derby takes place in the Emirates and is a great opportunity for Arsenal to overtake their local rivals in the table.
Goal difference alone takes Tottenham above second place, but Mikel Arteta will look to change that on Sunday. Martin Odegaard’s new contract, goalkeeping situation and injury updates dominated Arteta’s press conference.
As for whether the coach has chosen his No. 1 player in the NLD, he said: “No, I haven’t decided yet.”On Odegaard’s new contract, Arteta expressed his delight about him and what it means for Arsenal.
He said: ‘It’s great news for the club, great news for the team. I’m also very happy for him, because he really deserves it.
It just goes to show that there are many ways to get there and there are many paths to get where you want to go.“Ultimately, it’s about finding a place where you feel comfortable, where you feel appreciated and where you can express your talent. I think he’s found that place.
He is loved by all, respected by all and fully deserves what he does.”Gabriel Martinelli limped off with a hamstring problem against Everton and did not feature in midweek.
Thomas Partey was absent before the international break and there has been no visible update on the Ghanaian’s return.
Arteta has insisted Partey will remain absent but there is still some hope the Brazilian will feature on Sunday.
Arteta continues: “With Gabi we are still evaluating him, so let’s see if he can play the match or not. Thomas is gone for good.
We hope to have the rest available, yes we still have two training sessions, but in the middle of the week there were no major problems.”Arsenal have no new worries after their spectacular UEFA Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven.
There are also doubts that he will change his lineup from that match towards the NLD, and there could be an unchanged team, with doubts about a single position as things stand now. In goal, David Raya did nothing to suggest Aaron Ramsdale could return so quickly.
Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko form the back four in front of the Spaniard.
Declan Rice is the obvious choice to sit at the back of midfield. Kai Havertz’s midweek performances could have encouraged Arteta to start him on Sunday.
Odegaard will retain the attacking role of the three and his contract extension will have given him the push to perform even better than he currently does.
Bukayo Saka will start unopposed on the right side, with Leandro Trossard on the left hoping to make it three goals in as many games across all competitions. Gabriel Jesus was sharp enough against PSV to imply that he may have closed the door on Eddie Nketiah for the time being, as the Brazilian will lead the Gunners’ attack.
Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard;
