Thomas Partey makes his return after an injury layoff while Alexandre Lacazette slots in as the No.10 as Arsenal get ready to take on Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal have been handed a huge boost ahead of the first North London Derby against rivals Tottenham Hotspur as midfielder Thomas Partey is fit enough to start. The Ghanaian international has missed the past few games with a thigh problem but is named in the starting lineup by manager Mikel Arteta.
Partey slots in alongside Granit Xhaka in the midfield double pivot that will be shielding the four-man backline of Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney, all of whom return after not featuring in the UEFA Europa League game against Rapid Wien. Also returning to the side is goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
? Our north London derby team news is in!
?? @ThomasPartey22 returns
??????? @RobHolding95 chosen to partner Gabriel
??????? @BukayoSaka87 also starts#️⃣ #TOTARS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 6, 2020
There are significant changes in the attacking third as well, as Bukayo Saka and Willian are back into the lineup, slotting in on the flanks. Alexandre Lacazette, though, is returned by Arteta, with the Frenchman once again set to start as a No.10, having impressed in the role against Rapid Wien on Thursday.
Spearheading the attack for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur will be club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are attacking reinforcements that the manager can call upon from the bench.
Arsenal Starting XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Willian, Lacazette, Saka; Aubameyang.
