Arsenal predicted lineup vs Tottenham: Xhaka in 4-2-3-1?

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with teammates after he scores his team's opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 11, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) /

3 of 3

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Arsenal at Brentford Community Stadium on August 13, 2021 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) /

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – The star boy will always play with the only question mark being in what side of the pitch. He is best suited to the right side where his exceptional underlapping runs and out-to-in movements are most effective, while defenders are always uncertain of which way he’s going to go.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – So long as the captain doesn’t turn up late at a packed Emirates Stadium then he’ll most certainly be starting. Not enough credit was given to his work out of possession against Burnley where he chased and harassed constantly, and were it not for some better final balls he could have been played in on goal at least twice.

They would have been presentable opportunities too.

Nicolas Pepe (LW) – It’s here where Arteta might spring a surprise (he loves his tinkering, doesn’t he?) with Emile Smith Rowe left out and Pepe kept in.

The aforementioned squeezing that Spurs like opens the door for aggression in wide areas, and with Tierney offering reinforcement the opportunities are there for whoever plays at right-back for Tottenham to be isolated. While he’s hit and miss, Pepe can get one over either Emerson or Tanganga and with the Scot’s presence he can find the spaces closer to the box where he’s most useful.

Will Arteta go for this? We wait and see.

Next. What Arsenal can't afford to do vs Spurs. dark

Bonus stat: Coming into this weekend’s games, Arsenal have used the most different players (26) and had the most starting XI changes (16) in the Premier League this season.

Home/Arsenal News