Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Tottenham - Premier League

The bout may be arriving very early on in the 2024/25 campaign, but that won't take away from what should be a grand occasion on Sunday.

The first North London Derby is upon us with Arsenal entering the fixture with an unusual feeling of uncertainty. The international break wasn't a great one for the Gunners, with injuries to Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori leaving them doubtful for the trip down the road.

Mikel Arteta, however, has refused to rule either player out.

It may only be Matchday 4, but the upcoming fixture is a seismic one for Arsenal, who dropped two points at home to Brighton before the break. There's such a long way to go, but the Gunners risk falling considerably behind perennial title winners Manchester City in the table with a daunting trip to the Etihad upcoming.

Here's how a potentially depleted Arsenal could line up for the North London Derby.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Tottenham

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - The Spaniard's horrible blunder got Tottenham back into the derby the last time these two rivals met, but Raya is yet to put a foot wrong at the start of the new season. He'll be key to an Arsenal win on Sunday.

Ben White (RB) - The Three Lions snubber enjoyed some time off over the past week with all that Nations League nonsense and 'Cars-ball' going on. A change in tack could force White into a more aggressive role in possession.

William Saliba (CB) - Saliba was outstanding in the Gunners' first away fixture of the season at Aston Villa, with the Frenchman usually saving his best for fixtures of this magnitude.

Gabriel (CB) - Arsenal may well have to do some backs-to-the-walls defending in N17, but Gabriel typically thrives when forced to defend his box. Given how Tottenham like to attack in wide areas, his positioning to deny their low driven crosses must be spot on.

Jurrien Timber (LB) - Calafiori may well get the nod if he's fit, but I'll project the Italian to make the bench with Timber making his third-straight start. He could do some inverting, but the personnel in midfield means he'll likely perform a more traditional left-back role.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) - Partey performed well in the corresponding fixture last season, and Arteta needs a huge performance from him this weekend. It's rare for him to start the opening four games of a new season.

Jorginho (CM) - With Declan Rice suspended and Mikel Merino injured, Jorginho is the only senior midfield alternative in midfield. The Italian has to come in and he'll likely form a double pivot with Partey at the base.

Kai Havertz (AM) - There's no way Odegaard's playing this weekend, right? Arteta's ambiguous press conference has offered some hope. Still, I'm not buying it. The Spaniard has options in the captain's absence, with Havertz poised to perform a free-roaming function as Arsenal's third midfielder.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - There's no doubt about Saka's status down the right flank, and he may well be asked to drift infield more to mitigate the captain's absence. How will he fare without the man he combines with ever so well weekly?

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - Arteta seemed bullish over Jesus' status for Sunday's game, and he could come into the team for his first start of the season. The Brazilian has previously worked well in unison with Havertz.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - Speed will be required to scare Tottenham's aggressive defensive line, and while Martinelli has endured a quiet start to the season, he's the swiftest Arsenal have got. Leandro Trossard should earn minutes in a super-sub role.

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