PIRAEUS, GREECE - MARCH 12: Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Georgios Karaiskakisstadion on March 12, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece (Photo by Eurokinissie/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

PIRAEUS, GREECE - MARCH 12: Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Georgios Karaiskakisstadion on March 12, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece (Photo by Eurokinissie/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Totteham: Must-win North London Derby

by Mac Johnson
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Arsenal, Mikel Arteta

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Tottenham in the Premier League North London Derby on Sunday. (Photo by Eurokinissie/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

It’s fair to say that Arsenal haven’t had the best time of it in league play this season. Individual errors and costly mistakes have headlined an up-and-down campaign that has shown promising flashes, but nothing like the consistency Mikel Arteta demands of his team. However, Arsenal have been relatively successful against ‘big six’ sides this year.

Two 1-0 hard-fought losses to Manchester City aside, we’ve beaten and drawn with second-place Manchester United, trounced Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates, and done the same to Leicester – they count, at this point – at the King Power Stadium. Our next three league fixtures are all against big-six sides, or sides in the top six, and the first of those is the legendary North London Derby.

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Our form against Sp*rs hasn’t been amazing in recent years. Our last win against them came in 2018, with a resounding 4-2 victory. Since then, we have lost three and drawn two, with our opponents scoring five more goals. However, since that 4-2 victory, no team has scored more than two goals against the other over a single match, something I predict will change tomorrow.

Unlike us, Sp*rs are a side in good form, with their 2-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb marking their fourth straight win. Their attack particularly has been rampant, with a resurgent Gareth Bale joining the already dangerous Harry Kane and Heung-min Son. But in that rampancy, their already average defense has looked much more likely to be exposed, which bodes well for an Arteta attack that tends to come alight in open play.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Tottenham in the North London Derby on Sunday

Our tactics will remain unchanged, as the Gunners will look to control possession and build out from the back, mistakes be damned. Whether Spurs will continue their un-Mourinho-like tactics and push high up the pitch, or sit back in a low-block, control of the midfield will be key in this particular fixture.

After Thursday’s trouncing of Olympiacos, there are no injuries currently in the squad, which means Arteta has a a full contingent from which to select. They’ll also be looking for a bit of revenge, after a 2-0 loss this December at the Toilet Bowl. It is Mikel Arteta’s first North London Derby at home, and he’ll be looking to make an impact.

Here is my predicted lineup:

Arsenal, Hector Bellerin

PIRAEUS, GREECE – MARCH 12: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Olympiacos FC and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Georgios Karaiskakisstadion on March 12, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece (Photo by Eurokinissie/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Goalkeeper and Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – There’s only one man for the job. Our German giant has been nothing short of spectacular this season, and has nothing to prove in order to retain his starting spot. Let’s hope there’s a clean sheet in his future as well, as he rarely earns one against this particular opposition.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – The selection of the right-back is almost entirely dependent on the winger who starts ahead of him. Bukayo Saka and Hector Bellerin have formed a strong partnership, and Nicolas Pepe tends to play better with Cedric Soares backing him up. After a strong showing at the midweek, I predict Bellerin will get the chance to further stretch his legs against Tottenham.

Frankly, I’d rather see Soares start, given Spurs’ reliance on Heung-min Son in build-up play, as the Portuguese is a better man-marker than his Spanish counterpart, but given that this selection will likely be predicated by the selection of the attack, our longest-serving player will get the nod.

Rob Holding (CB) – After a decent stretch out of the team, due to Arteta’s love of David Luiz, I predict the Englishman will make a return to the Arsenal team. Holding has a habit of frustrating the living daylights out of lone central strikers, but will prove especially able against a player like Harry Kane. Given Kane’s propensity to dive, flop, and draw silly fouls, Holding will be a much better match, as he doesn’t tend to dive into challenges, and is adept at soaking up pressure. As long as he remembers to jump for headers, he’ll be alright.

Pablo Mari (CB) – Mari will start, for two reasons. First, Arteta tends to trust him in league play. Second, he’ll start the Spaniard over Gabriel Magalhaes for the same reason Holding starts – Gabriel is an excellent defender on the front foot, but is simply too likely to draw silly fouls and pick up yellow cards. Mari’s composure in possession, skill on the ball, and ability to absorb pressure will be key to this match.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – Who else? He’s been the key to every aspect of our play this season, and especially tends to show up in the big games, and for the big moments. I’m beyond excited to see him play.

Next: Midfielders

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