The Tottenham XI to Start Versus Arsenal in North London Derby
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Hotspur host rivals Arsenal in the North London Derby Sunday, this is the line-up we think José Mourinho will deploy to beat the Gunners.
Tottenham versus Arsenal is just that Tottenham versus Arsenal and there really is not anything else the players need to prepare. If you are on Tottenham and cannot get excited for this game, maybe you should not be a Spurs. With records and form irrelevant, here is the team we think José Mourinho is going to roll out to role the Gunners.
Tottenham Defense and Goal
Tottenham have played a very defense approach the last several weeks, looking to concede possession and hit on the counterattack. Given the approach Arsenal likes to take of being on the ball and the pace in the back for Arsenal, this seems a sound approach. Of course, to work, you need to defend well and maintain a clean sheet, here are the players who will do that.
Hugo Lloris (GK)
There have been some rumors around that Hugo Lloris may miss the North London Derby. However, beyond being absent from the midweek trip to Austria, there has been nothing formal from the club about Lloris being injured. For some reason, Football London have framed the no news on Hugo Lloris a sign he might be out. This seems foolhardy, as the captain is the best bet to win this match and unless something is wrong – which again no one has actually said – Lloris will be between the sticks on Sunday afternoon.
Sergio Reguilón (LB)
Sergio Reguilón, like Lloris and Harry Kane was absent from Europa League this week. Presumably Reguilón is in the same boat as Lloris and Kane, where we really do not know what the problem is and whether the young Spanish fullback will be available. We at HotspurHQ believe that all the talk of players missing the game is just gamesmanship from the coach and squad and Tottenham will have a nearly full squad for Sunday, including Reguilón starting at left back.
Eric Dier (CB)
Eric Dier played about 30 minutes midweek in Europe, slipping between Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez to create a back three/five on defense. Instead of preventing a goal and preserving the lead, Spurs shipped two goals in the last ten minutes and drew at LASK. Dier was not at fault for any of the goals and will look to get the defense back on track Sunday. Eric Dier has been excellent overall defensively and if Alderweireld continues to be out, he will have a lot of responsibility for keeping the team organized against a fast, high-octane Arsenal attack.
Joe Rodon (CB)
Joe Rodon had a couple rough moments in his Premier League debut against Chelsea. Rodon lost the ball in the attacking half, leading to the goal called out for offside. Then last in the match Rodon almost gifted a goal to Olivier Giroud with a weak back header. Outside of those two moments, Rodon was solid and played beyond his experience. Although Alderweireld was practicing this week, Liverpool seems the more likely return to prevent any kind of setback, so Rodon gets another start Arsenal. It should be a nice second test for the young center back.
Serge Aurier (RB)
After not starting the first couple of Premier League games this season Serge Aurier seems to have claimed the top right back spot for Tottenham Hotspur. Matt Doherty has been up and down on the season and played, not well, midweek. Aurier has been focused defensively and has done well moving forward. The Ivorian had Spurs only shot on target last week, forcing a nice save out of Mendy. Made a cameo appearance midweek, which was more of a sign of the faith José Mourinho has in Aurier than anything else. That faith continues to be displayed with the start Sunday.