Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez Only Player Making Spurs’ Side?

Harry Redknapp has stated that he believes Alexis Sanchez is the only Arsenal player who would make the Spurs’ side. But are there any others who should be included?

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are age-old rivals. For the first time in Arsene Wenger’s tenure in North London, there is a likely chance that his side will finish below their hated rivals and it has led to much discussion comparing their respective squads, the qualities of the individuals and the collective teams.

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The latest to have his turn and offer his opinion is former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. In a column for the London Evening Standard, Redknapp was commenting on the current state of the Arsenal squad. In his piece, he revealed that he believes only Alexis Sanchez would make the Spurs’ starting XI:

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"“Alexis Sanchez is the only Arsenal player who would get into Tottenham’s starting line-up. Spurs look like they are in a different league and that’s how far the balance of power has swung after more than 20 years of the Gunners dominating north London. The main reason is Arsenal have wasted millions on average players over the past few years.”"

Such comments have led me to ask: How many Arsenal players would indeed make it into the Spurs’ starting lineup?

Redknapp’s argument may well be a fairly harsh assessment of the individual talent in Wenger’s squad. While their collective failure has been rather abject, there are quality players that are better options than those in the Spurs’ squad.

Perhaps the most obvious of those who have been spurned by Redknapp’s assessment is Laurent Koscielny. Although both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are accomplished defenders in their own right, Koscielny is better than both. The Frenchman’s ability is noticed best when the team’s failures in his absence are considered. Arsenal conceded nine goals with him off of the pitch against Bayern Munich and just one when on it across both legs. Add to that the struggles against Manchester City and Crystal Palace with him missing and his quality is easy to see.

Another that is missed by Redknapp is Santi Cazorla. There is no central midfielder in either squad better than the Spaniard. His distribution, his ability to singlehandedly control games, his technical skill, vision and creativity are remarkable traits that make him an extraordinarily talented midfielder.

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Perhaps the only other player worthy of making the Spurs’ side is Mesut Ozil. However, Christian Eriksen is a criminally underrated attacking midfielder and is enjoying a season far superior to that of his North London counterpart. Although Redknapp’s assessment misses the truth a little, there is still a worrying lesson for the Gunners to learn: their squad is worse than that of their most bitter rivals.