Alexandre Lacazette could start in the No.10 role while Thomas Partey could be in contention to feature when Arsenal face off against local rivals Tottenham.
Arsenal will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they lock horns with arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in matchweek 11 on Sunday evening.
And manager Mikel Arteta could be set to welcome back key midfielder Thomas Partey into the squad for the trip to Tottenham. Speaking after the Gunners’ 4-1 win against Rapid Wien in the Europa League, Arteta had said: “Well, he is putting a lot of pressure on us! He is training tomorrow with us, and let’s see how it goes in the next few days.”
Thomas Partey trained with the Arsenal team today ahead of tomorrow's North London Derby. #AFC pic.twitter.com/zHsYlBIkTD
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) December 5, 2020
On Saturday, the Ghanaian international was pictured training with the rest of his teammates and could be in contention to feature in some capacity at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, Arsenal are likely to be without the services of Gabriel Martinelli, who continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Nicolas Pepe is suspended.
Arteta is expected to make a number of changes to the side that started in the midweek clash against Rapid Wien. Starting from goal, Bernd Leno ought to come into the lineup, replacing Runar Alex Runarsson. Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney should also return to the side starting as the full-backs on the right and left sides respectively.
David Luiz suffered a facial injury after his nasty collision with Raul Jimenez in the defeat to Wolves’ last weekend. And while the Brazilian is expected to be fit for Sunday, it is likely that Arteta will go in with Rob Holding alongside defensive mainstay Gabriel Magalhaes against Tottenham.
While Partey has returned to training, the Arsenal manager might not rush him back into action and risk worsening his problem ahead of a busy period. Thus, Dani Ceballos is likely to get the nod alongside Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park, although Mohamed Elneny is also pushing for a starting berth.
Willian, who had been linked with a move to Tottenham before joining Arsenal, should occupy the right flank while there is no looking past teenage sensation Bukayo Saka on the left. Starting in the No.10 slot for the Gunners against Spurs could be striker Alexandre Lacazette, after impressing in the said role in midweek.
“It was a good game in that position, I think it suits him, it gives him a bit of freedom and he is really good at linking play in those positions,” Arteta had said about the Frenchman after the Rapid Wien clash, hinting that he could use Lacazette in a similar role more regularly moving forward.
Finally, spearheading the attack for Arsenal against Tottenham should be club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Eddie Nketiah providing an option from the bench.
Arsenal Predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Willian, Lacazette, Saka; Aubameyang.