Arsenal Predicted XI: We predict Mikel Arteta’s starting XI as his side take the short trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby this afternoon

Arsenal Predicted XI: We predict Mikel Arteta’s starting XI as his side take the short trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby this afternoon.

This afternoon’s encounter is a massive game for both clubs, but you feel it has extra importance for Arteta and his Arsenal side at this moment in time.

The North Londoners currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League table, but all three points today could see them rise quite a few places depending on other results.

A Premier League win is easier said that done though, with Arteta’s side only winning four of their opening ten league matches this term.

Their opponents and arch-rivals Tottenham will know a victory will put them back to the top of the Premier League table and bragging rights across north London.

But which players will Arteta pick to try and secure an important three points this afternoon?

Here we predict the Spaniard’s starting Arsenal XI to take on Spurs…

Goalkeeper:

One of the easiest predictions is that Bernd Leno will be between the sticks for Arsenal, The German is Arteta’s undisputed first-choice and has started all ten Premier League matches so far this term. He will be aiming to keep a fourth clean sheet in this encounter.

Defenders:

Despite playing a lot of football in recent weeks, Kieran Tierney is expected to slot straight back into an Arsenal back-three for this gave, having performed in an Arsenal shirt of late. Alongside the Scot, we feel Gabriel will continue his role in the centre of defence, alongside Rob Holding. Pablo Mari has returned from injury, but this game has come too soon for him. That leaves Bukayo Saka at left wing back with Hector Bellerin on the opposite flank.

Midfielders:

If Arsenal are to succeed in this game, you feel there midfield pairing will have to be at the top of their game. We believe Arteta will trust the flair of Daniel Ceballos alongside the tenacity of Grannit Xhaka to get amongst this Tottenham midfield and disrupt the flow of their football.

Forwards:

Arteta has some decisions to make in his front-three. There’s no doubting that captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will start the match as he looks to add to his underwhelming tally of just two Premier League goals so far this term. But we expect changes in other areas with Eddie Nketiah getting the nod over Alexandre Lacazette and Willian returning to the side on the opposite flank.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Tottenham: Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Tierney Bellerin, Saka; Ceballos, Xhaka; Willian, Aubameyang, Nketiah.