Premier League 2018/19, Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal: Combined XI

Both teams have already faced each other twice this season
Both teams have already faced each other twice this season

North London would be at the daggers drawn once again this Saturday as its favourite sons Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will lock horns at Wembley in a crunch derby.

Having already clashed twice in the season - in the Premier League and the FA Cup, both teams have a victory each in the bag and separated by only four points in the league table courtesy to some contrasting results in the midweek.

While the Gunners shot down a hapless Bournemouth for five, Spurs went down 2-0 to Chelsea, their eighth loss of the season. And with the race to finish line hotting up, their latest meeting promises yet more fireworks.

Ahead of the much-anticipated kick-off, let's look at how Arsenal and Tottenham line up in a combined North London derby XI:


Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris

Lloris has a point to prove
Lloris has a point to prove

Even though neither Bernd Leno nor Hugo Lloris has been particularly fantastic in the nets, the Frenchman's superior stats to his German counterpart is the sole reason why he gets the nod here. Lloris concedes a goal every game (24 in 24) whereas Leno is worse by a whisker (29 in 24).

The Spurs shot-stopper has also made more shutouts, with nine in 24 games outnumbering Leno's four in 22. However, Lloris was guilty of a laughable blunder against Chelsea at the midweek, and this isn't the first time we're seeing such a thing this season.

The World Cup-winning captain has been a faithful servant for years now, even establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League's modern era.

But a turbulent campaign this term has endangered his starting spot in the team with fans clamoring for dropping him to the bench.

A good performance at the weekend might help cut him some slack.

Right-back: Kevin Trippier

Trippier hasn't really replicated his World Cup form
Trippier hasn't really replicated his World Cup form

England's talisman at the World Cup, it's a shame that Trippier hasn't been able to build on that rousing momentum this season.

Even though the fullback does boast a goal and three assists in the league, his last goal contribution came more than two months ago while his defensive aspect of the game has been a mixed bag.

An unfortunate groin strain that kept him out of action for almost a month did not help his cause either. And it all came to a head when struck an own goal against Chelsea earlier in the week.

However, Trippier remains an important figure in the squad and having missed both the North London derbies earlier this season, he'd be hoping to not only redeem himself after the recent horror but also make a mark.


Left-back: Sead Kolasinac

Kolasinac has pulled a blinder this season
Kolasinac has pulled a blinder this season

The Bosnia international had a dodgy start to the season, missing the first 10 games of the season due to a knee injury and lack of match fitness.

But in the 17 appearances since, has been very impressive. In fact, he is Arsenal's most prolific assist-maker with seven assists to his name.

Besides being deemed as his side's creative machine, Kolasinac has also been equally impressive defensively.

He maintains a 71% tackle success rate and 93 ball recoveries. With an excellent reading of the game, he has intercepted 16 times and made 22 clearances.

He is a reckoning force down the left flank and if Arsenal closes down the gap over their rivals with a win, assume Kolasinac to have a significant impact behind it.

Centre-back: Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal captain is back with a bang
Arsenal captain is back with a bang

Thirty-three and still going strong, the French defender is having another memorable season with the Gunners.

He too had a difficult start to the season like Kolasinac when he missed the first 16 games due to Achilles tendon rupture. But he has successfully recovered from the tribulation and found his feet again.

The Arsenal skipper has beefed up the defence: without him in the starting line-up, the Gunners concede 1.44 goals a game, while the figures drop down to 1.0 with him.

Koscielny has also made 47 clearances and 20 interceptions but has demonstrated his offensive instincts with three goals too.

His talismanship would be vital if Gunners are complete a league double over their crosstown rivals.


Centre-back: Shkodran Mustafi

Mustafi has blown hot and cold
Mustafi has blown hot and cold

Barring the disaster against Liverpool in December, Mustafi has otherwise been going great guns at the heart of Arsenal's backline.

The German centre-back has thrown his weight around the defense with crucial blocks, tackles and clearances (a staggering 123!) though his passing range is his best asset.

Having completed 1,289 passes, Mustafi boasts an 85% pass success rate and helps build from the back as well as avert any danger.

He also has two goals to his name, both of which have been crucial - he scored the opener against Cardiff to set Arsenal on their way to a nervy 3-2 win, before repeating the feat at Old Trafford to help gain a valuable point against Manchester United.

Mustafi has a good track record against the Lillywhites, even scoring one last season. And on this evidence, may fancy his chance again tomorrow.

Defensive midfield: Lucas Torreira

Torreira has been a great addition for Arsenal
Torreira has been a great addition for Arsenal

The Uruguayan youngster gave the Gunners faithful a glimpse of what's in store ahead with his first-rate performances at the World Cup. And halfway through the season, it suffices to say he's delivered on that promise.

The 23-year old has grown into a steely presence at the base of the midfield and forged a terrific partnership with Granit Xhaka.

He has completed 1,402 passes in the league, which is the most in the team after the Swiss international and is hard to beat at duels.

Torreira also charges out of his lines at times, and his offensive instincts has seen him strike twice and assist another two.


Right attacking midfield: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan has successfully recuperated from injuries to fire again
Mkhitaryan has successfully recuperated from injuries to fire again

The Armenian international was having a difficult season, struggling to find his way in the starting XI and also offering no great shakes from the bench.

However, it went from bad to worse when he succumbed to a metatarsal fracture in December that kept him out of action for nearly two months.

But since making his return, things are on the upswing. In the last two games alone, he has had a hand in five goals - netting twice and assisting three in their victories over Bournemouth and Southampton.

Mkhitaryan looks to have his confidence (and shooting boots) back and is surely going to start against Spurs too.


Attacking midfield: Christian Eriksen

Eriksen is having another fine season
Eriksen is having another fine season

Mesut Ozil just blew away the cobwebs with a rejuvenated performance in the 5-1 crushing of Bournemouth. But to include him ahead of Eriksen solely on the basis of that would be very unfair to the Dane, who has quietly gone about his business as usual.

With five goals and nine assists in 25 appearances, Eriksen is involved a goal in every other game and don't forget, he's a big game player often stepping up to the challenge. However, he's never scored against Arsenal in 13 attempts.


Left attacking midfield: Son Heung-Min

Despite strenous international commitments, Son has delivered for Spurs
Despite strenous international commitments, Son has delivered for Spurs

The Korean deity shone brightly for his side at the World Cup, and even though he failed to emulate those heroics for his side in UAE at the Asia Cup, is enjoying arguably his best season with Spurs.

He has 11 goals and six assists to his name in 22 league appearances as Son's stock has gone through the roof.

His blistering offensive play perfectly complements that of Harry Kane as Tottenham have grown into a fiercely menacing outfit.

Son's movements in the attacking half and eye for pass helps create a chance out of the blue and he too has a brilliant record against Arsenal with three goals and assists each in five appearances.

Striker: Harry Kane

Kane gunning for another Golden Boot
Kane gunning for another Golden Boot

Despite missing four games due to torn ankle ligament, Kane finds himself very much in the race for another Premier League Golden Boot with 15 strikes in 24 appearances.

Even though Spurs have lost both games since his arrival, Kane's return couldn't have come sooner given his impressive record in the derby.

Since 2014/15 season, the English hitman has scored in seven of the eight league meetings, netting eight times in all. The last of it came in the 4-2 loss at the Emirates in December but assisted on his return there for the FA Cup clash. In fact, Arsenal is his favourite side among the top six teams as they often tend to bring out the best in him.

Omens are really bad for the visitors.


Striker: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang is thriving in his first-full season in EPL
Aubameyang is thriving in his
first-full
season in EPL

Ostracising Alexandre Lacazette, who has struck 12 times in the league, would seem quite unfair. But his Gabonese attacking counterpart has been firing at all cylinders in his first full season with Arsenal.

With 16 goals from 24 appearances, Aubameyang trails only Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah in the scoring charts and also has another four assists to his name.

A particular criticism against the former Borussia Dortmund striker is his tendency to come to a cropper against the big sides, having struck only twice in 11 appearances against the other teams from the big six.

However, both those goals came against Spurs in the 4-2 comeback victory earlier in the season.

Arsenal needs their target man to step up again in a crucial game like this one.

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