Predicted Arsenal lineup against Tottenham: Saka fit to start; Partey, Xhaka to return

Arsenal are set to travel with their strongest available squad for the North London Derby, with Bukayo Saka set to start.

Mikel Arteta will have no fresh selection or injury issues when Arsenal take on Tottenham in the North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadiumon Sunday. Therefore, the chances of the manager naming an unchanged lineup from the Newcastle United clash are highly likely. At the same time, the team were boosted by the availability of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

Arteta used his pre-match press conference to talk about Saka, Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus. On the Brazilian international, the manager said he was on the right track but played down the idea of seeing him anytime soon. The Spaniard also allayed fears about Saka and expressed his delight at having Smith Rowe back in action.

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On Smith-Rowe, Arteta said, “It’s great to have him back. “He felt good; they were his first minutes after four months. He’s worked so hard to be in the position he is in today. Now we need to give him minutes, and we need to get him back in the team because he’s a very important player for us.”

Allaying fears about Saka’s injury from the Oxford game, Arteta said, “I think he will be OK.”

As for his team selection, the lineup picks itself. Aaron Ramsdale will return in goal to replace Matt Turner. A familiar back four consisting of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko will take their places ahead of the English goalkeeper.

Thomas Partey will feature in the holding role, with Granit Xhaka being his partner in the middle of the park. Martin Odegaard will don the captain’s armband and play in the advanced attacking midfield spot.

Saka will likely start on the right side of the Arsenal attack, with Gabriel Martinelli marshalling the left-hand side. Eddie Nketiah will continue to lead the line, and Arteta will have the option of Smith Rowe from the bench for the North London Derby.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah