Premier League 2018/19: Tottenham probable XI against Arsenal
The first North London Derby of the season will take place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, December 02. It will be a riveting contest between Unai Emery's resurgent Arsenal and Mauricio Pochettino's in-form Tottenham.
The last time these two sides clashed against each other, Spurs got the better of their city rivals with a 1-0 victory.
Let us take a look at the starting XI Pochettino might go with for a marquee clash this Sunday.
Goalkeeper
This one is straightforward. Though Hugo Lloris did not have too much to do in Italy in Spurs' midweek fixture against Inter Milan, he was up to the task when the hosts produced two shots on target in the game. He’s one of the best shot-stoppers there is but makes the fans get a little closer to the edge of their seat every time he decides to come off his lines. He’d have to be at his best against Arsenal forwards.
Defenders
Serge Aurier will start at right-back in the absence of Kieran Trippier. The England right-back has suffered a groin injury during the Crystal Palace game and has been undergoing the final stages of rehabilitation. Aurier has been superb ever since, especially against Chelsea, where he kept Eden Hazard quiet throughout the game.
Toby Alderweireld is a sure starter alongside the fully-recovered Jan Vertonghen in the heart of Tottenham's defence. Spurs fans were delighted to see him in Italy after his long layoff due to an injury. In an ideal scenario, the manager would want to ease him back into the team slowly, but a hamstring injury to Davison Sanchez only means that Vertonghen must-start against the Gunners. Moreover, there’s no better match-practice than to face your city rivals in a full-throttle fixture.
The left-back position seems to be a decision to make for Pochettino. It could very well be Danny Rose that may take up the position as he was fully rested for the Milan game. In the fixture, Ben Davies played the 90 minutes while Rose was on the bench.