“Pray for Spurs”, “Will be the difference” - Arsenal fans confident of beating Tottenham after 30-year-old is named in north London derby line-up
Arsenal fans have received a boost of confidence after Mikel Arteta named Thomas Partey in the starting lineup to face Tottenham Hotspur in their upcoming Premier League fixture on Sunday.
The Gunners will be looking to secure all three points in the north London derby against Spurs as the title race heats up in the final stretch of the campaign.
David Raya starts in goal for Mikel Arteta's side. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have been deployed as full-backs, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes line up as center-backs.
The midfield comprises Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Partey, who returned to the squad last month after missing the majority of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. Kai Havertz starts up front for the Gunners alongside Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal supporters are convinced that they can defeat Ange Postecoglou's side now that Thomas Partey has returned to the mix. One fan highlighted the control Mikel Arteta's side will have on the match with Partey in the team.
While another predicted a screamer from the Ghanaian midfielder:
Here are the rest of the reactions:
"Partey- Rice - Odegaard!! The irrepressible trio! We are winning this gunners" one fan wrote.
"PARTEY STARTS" another said.
"Partey will be the difference today. Smooth sexy football! COYG" wrote one supporter.
"Thomas Partey starts!! Please pray for Ange and Spurs!" another stated.
The Gunners will face Bournemouth in the Premier League after their fixture against Tottenham.
Chris Sutton makes prediction for Arsenal's fixture against Tottenham
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has backed Arsenal to secure the victory in their upcoming league fixture against Tottenham. The BBC pundit believes the Gunners can win 2-1 against their north London rivals.
He said:
"Arsenal bounced back superbly from their defeat by Aston Villa with wins over Wolves and Chelsea and I am expecting more of the same here. They should win this because of the way they are playing and also because I just don't think Tottenham have been at their best in their past few games, even the ones they have won."
Sutton added:
"It will still be really keenly contested, but the Gunners have a great balance in attack and defence and that might give them the edge. If Arsenal do come out on top, it would be an enormous win for them in the title race and keep the heat on Manchester City."
Following their encounter with Tottenham, Arsenal have Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Everton left to play in the Premier League this campaign. Sutton backed the Gunners to win all their remaining fixtures and added:
"I have no doubt Mikel Arteta's side will win their final three games too - Bournemouth (home), Manchester United (away) and Everton (home) - but it will not be enough if City keep winning too."
The Gunners are currently first in the Premier League table, a point ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand over them.