Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal: Combined XI for 2015/16

The North London derby is one of the most hotly-contested affairs of the season, and with recent seasons providing some absolute humdingers, its only natural to expect the same to occur come Saturday. What makes this particular edition far tastier is that Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal face off in one the most pivotal clashes of the season that could decide the outcome of the title race.The two sides both suffered 1-0 defeats coming into the game, but the reaction from both sets of supporters could not have been more contrasting, with many labelling Arsenals title challenge to be on its last legs. The Gunners trail their hated rivals by 3 points, and will be keen on reversing a downward trend of results.Spurs, meanwhile, are quietly becoming Leicester City's main title rivals, and will need the three points so as to not lose ground on the league leaders.Formation: 4-2-3-1

#1 Goalkeepers

Lloris Arsenal Spurs Combined XI — Hugo Lloris ought to be the better of the two keepers in the North London derby

Hugo Lloris vs David Ospina

As Arsenal’s Premier League campaign was crumbling before their eyes as Petr Cech went up for a corner against Swansea, the Emirates faithful had their hearts in the mouth when the Czech shot-stopper pulled up when sprinting back towards goal. Petr Cech was immediately ruled out for this game and faces four weeks on the sidelines, which will make a huge difference to Arsenal’s season as well as this combined eleven.

Cech had 12 clean sheets this season and was likely to have been the pick here, although Lloris wasn’t too bad of a shout as well. The Frenchman has 9 clean sheets out of 27 games in the Premier League, having conceded a paltry 21 goals this season while making 50 saves in total to average 2.63 saves per goal.

The Frenchman’s leadership qualities and decision-making ability have settled the Spurs defence, with Lloris overseeing a defensive platform that has allowed Tottenham to mount a title challenge. His opposite number on Saturday, David Ospina won’t even have played a single Premier League minute this season, with his only appearances coming in cup competitions.

Ospina infamously bundled the ball into his own net from a cross in a Champions League encounter this season and hasn’t provided much competition to Cech. As such, Hugo Lloris is a clear an easy pick.

Winner: Hugo Lloris

#2 Fullbacks

Right Back: Kyle Walker vs Hector Bellerin

This is a very, very close call as Hector Bellerin and Kyle Walker have both had excellent seasons. The Arsenal fullback has arguably enjoyed the better season, as he has cemented his name in the Arsenal line-up, being quite adept at attacking and defensive aspects of the game, with his burst of pace being his primary asset.

Much of what is good about Bellerin applies to Kyle Walker as well, as the England International has enhanced his reputation with a string of stellar performances this season. However, much like his breakout season under Harry Redknapp, Walker still has a couple of defensive brain-freezes in him, with the defender making 4 defensive errors over the season, one of which directly lead to a goal.

In contrast, Bellerin has yet to make a single defensive lapse, a statistic that might surprise those who think of him as an attacking fullback primarily. The duo’s recent form is about the same as well, with Bellerin putting up decent performances despite Arsenal’s recent losing streak. As such, the Spaniard narrowly edges out his English counterpart.

Winner: Hector Bellerin

Left Back: Danny Rose vs Nacho Monreal

Nacho Monreal has been Arsenal’s Mr. Consistent this season, as the Spaniard has appeared in every Premier League game for Arsenal. Danny Rose, on the other hand, has been rotated quite a bit, with Mauricio Pochettino using him in only 15 of the 28 games played so far.

Thus Nacho Monreal has the inherent advantage when it comes to overall statistics, such as the Spaniard’s stunning total of a 100 defensive clearances this season, while also making 45 tackles in total, which compare rather favourably with Rose’s totals of 66 clearnaces and 35 tackles.

However, when adjusted for per game averages, Rose comes out on top, making 2.33 tackles and 4.40 clearances per game, higher than Monreal who makes 1.61 tackles and 3.57 clearnaces per game. When taking recent form into account, Rose also comes out on top, as his goal against Swansea was came on top of a good performance against Manchester City in Tottenham’s 2-1 win.

Nacho Monreal, however, has seen a slight dip, as the fullback was caught out against Manchester United for both of Marcus Rashford’s goals, while also being rather one-paced against Swansea. As such, Danny Rose is our pick for the left-back position

Winner : Danny Rose

#3 Centre-backs

Left Centre-back: Toby Alderweireld vs Gabriel Paulista

This is a rather easy choice, although it’s not for any perceived faults of Gabriel but rather the sheer brilliance of Toby Alderweireld at the heart of Tottenham Hotspur’s defence this season. Had Laurent Koscielny been available, this would have been a much harder choice, although Alderweireld might have trumped Koscielny even then, given the Frenchman’s errors this season.

As it stands Gabriel will be lining up for Arsenal when the game starts – given that he’s played significantly lesser than Alderweireld, we’ll only consider per game averages – although one simply has to note that Alderweireld has made a staggering 217 clearances this season, with Gabriel making 69 in total, which averages out to 7.75 per game for the Belgian and 5.31 clearances per game for the Brazilian.

Another factor that tips the scales in Alderweireld’s favour is that he has played every minute of Tottenham’s Premier LEague campaign this season, but has yet to make a single defensive error. Gabriel, for his part, was quite poor against Manchester United, with a couple of defensive lapses. No contest here.

Winner: Toby Alderweireld

Right Centre-back: Kevin Wimmer vs Per Mertesacker

Kevin Wimmer has stepped into the fray for Tottenham after Jan Vertonghen’s injury and has acquitted himself relatively well. Had the Belgian been fit, Per Mertesacker’s inclusion in this combined XI would perhaps not have happened, although Wimmer is no mug in defence.

Spurs’ Austrian defender has only appeared 6 times for the Lilywhites in the Premier League this season, and given that Per Mertesacker has appeared 20 times for the Gunners, it’s only fair that we look at per game average when evaluation the pair, although the Germans 41 aerial duels won must be noted.

Wimmer and Mertesacker’s most recent form doesn’t make for great reading either, with the Austrain looking rather out-of-place against West Ham, while Mertesacker didn’t set the world alight against Swansea either. Despite the German’s rather erratic form this season, he makes the cut on account of his experience and statistics, as a better tackling rate and fewer defensive errors than Wimmer give him the nod.

Winner: Per Mertesacker

#4 Central Midfielders

Defensive midfield: Eric Dier vs Francis Coquelin

Eric Dier’s transformation from a promising centre-back to one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League ought to be one of Mauricio Pochettino’s best masterstrokes. The Englishman has been used in 27/28 Premier League games for Tottenham this season while Francis Coquelin’s injuries have meant that he’s made only 17 appearances for the Gunners.

Over 90 minutes, Coquelin makes more tackles & interceptions, while committing fewer fouls than Eric Dier. The Frenchman also completes more of his passes, possessing a stunning 90% pass completion rate, although Dier’s penchant for key passes means he makes ‘riskier’ passes more often.

As for form, Dier was rather disappointing against West Ham, while Coquelin was statistically quite good for Arsenal against Swansea, as his performance was not deserving of a loss. Despite Coquelin’s statistical superiority, when adjusted for 90 minutes, the Frenchman is a surprising pick since Dier’s performances this season have been hyped by the English press.

A tough call, but we’re going with the numbers on this one.

Winner: Francis Coquelin

Central midfield: Dele Alli vs Aaron Ramsey

Had Moussa Dembele been available, the Belgian would have been a shoe-in for this role, as he’s experienced a career resurgence under the guidance of Pochettino. In contrast, Aaron Ramsey has regressed from the heights of the 2013/14 season, a fact that ought to concern Arsene Wenger.

Dele Alli might play a box-to-box role against Spurs if Dembele is unable to pass a late fitness test, and it’s rather obvious who will be the winner here. The 19 year old Englishman has been one of the breakout stars of the season, and his total of 7 goals and 5 assists this season dwarfs the 4 goals and 3 assists that Ramsey has in comparison.

The form books also note that while Dele Alli was disappointing against West Ham, he was one of Spur’s best players against Swansea, while Aaron Ramsey has looked mediocre in Arsenal’s last two games against Manchester United and Swansea.

Winner: Dele Alli

Central attacking midfield: Mesut Ozil vs Christian Eriksen

Leaving either of the above duo out of a combined XI will naturally cause uproar as both Christian Eriksen and Mesut Ozil have been absolutely fantastic for their respective sides this season. However, while Eriksen could be accommodated in a wider role, we’re sticking with his favoured position and verifying how he stacks up against Ozil.

Such has been Mesut Ozil’s form this season that despite Eriksen’s rather good numbers, the German absolutely blows him out of the water. Ozil’s made 97 key passes to Eriksen’s 75, created 115 chances to Eriksen’s 83, with both scoring 5 goals each. However, Ozil’s staggering 18 assists this season loom large over Eriksen’s 8, which makes this a rather easy choice.

As for form, the players on are an equal footing as both have been rather good in the last few games, despite the losses.

Winner: Mesut Ozil

#5 Wingers

Left winger: Nacer Chadli vs Alexis Sanchez

Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli have been accommodated in midfield which means that Tottenham’s candidate for the left wing position is Nacer Chadli. The Belgian has played the same number of games as Alexis Sanchez in the Premier League but has spent significantly fewer minutes on the pitch.

Despite Sanchez being universally acknowledged as having a poor season, his numbers when compared with Chadli seem good. The Chilean has not reached the stratospheric heights of last season, but 6 goals and 2 assists trump Chadli’s 3 goals and 2 assists, with Sanchez also making more key passes and creating chances more often.

The form guide is rather interesting, as Chadli scored against Swansea while being rather poor against West Ham. Alexis has looked poor for a number of games, but his last outing against Swansea was encouraging, as the Chilean hit the bar and did threaten, with lady luck failing him. His effort will be rewarded however, and that’s what gives him the edge.

Winner: Alexis Sanchez

Right winger: Erik Lamela vs Joel Campbell

Joel Campbell has recently come to the fore for Arsenal, with Arsenal’s huge injury list affording him the opportunity of a first team run. The Costa Rican has grabbed his chance with both hands, as his hard working displays on the wings have endeared him to the Emirates faithful, as was seen when Arsene Wenger was booed for taking him off against Swansea.

There’s no such drama surrounding Erik Lamela, and the Argentine winger has quietly completed his adaptation to English football under Pochettino. Lamela absolutely trumps Campbell in a statistical comparison, as he makes more key passes, assists and creates chances with greater regularity.

Campbell does have form going for him, having scored in his previous game against Swansea with a deft chip, but Lamela was bright against Manchester City as well. A tough call, but Campbell sits this one out.

Winner: Erik Lamela

#6 Strikers

Central Striker: Harry Kane vs Danny Welbeck vs Olivier Giroud

If Arsene Wenger decides to start Olivier Giroud, he might be labelled crazy by many. The Frenchman has been in absolutely dismal form of late, having not scored in his last 10 games for Arsenal, with Danny Welbeck scoring 2 goals out of 3 games he has played.

While Wenger might deliberate for long over who starts, there’s no such need here. Harry Kane is undoubtedly the best striker of the three, and the stats prove it. The England striker has scored 16 goals this season, better than Giroud and Welbeck put together.

What takes Kane to another level is his altruistic nature, as the Spurs forward has made more key passes and created more chances than both Giroud and Welbeck. Kane’s English counterpart does have a shout on recent form, having scored for the Gunners against Leicester and Manchester United.

Kane, for his part, was rather poor against Swansea, but that seems more like an aberration rather than a dip in form, which means that he gets the nod over Giroud and Welbeck.

Winner: Harry Kane

Here is how the combined XI will shape up:

Arsenal Tottenham Combined XI