TheSportsRush brings Arsenal team news vs Tottenham as the Emirates Stadium season’s first North London derby.
Arsenal are currently 5th in the Premier League. The side is on a 18-match unbeaten run but await a tough test tomorrow as they host the first North London derby of the season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side is on a good run and have won two big games against Chelsea and Inter Milan in the last seven days. Tottenham have a chance to extend their lead over Arsenal to six points as they visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal had a bad start to their season, but it seems like a distant memory at the moment. Unai Emery’s side made a solid turn-around, as the Gunners have already qualified for the round-of-32 in the Europa League, and are only a point behind the top-4.
As both sets of fans await the mouth-watering clash between the rivals, we bring you Arsenal’s team news for the game:
Arsenal team news vs Tottenham:
Arsenal fans received a massive boost at the beginning of the week as Laurent Koscielny made a return to football. He had his first bit of football action this season as the defender played 45 minutes for Arsenal U23s against Derby County.
Koscielny wasn’t included in the squad against Vorskla in the Europa League game on Thursday, and is a doubt for the game against Tottenham as well.
Keown on Aubameyang:
“I have said before that Aubameyang is the closest thing to Thierry Henry and he reminds me of Henry when he first arrived at Arsenal.”
“Once Henry realised that his performances could take the team to another level, he flourished.”#afc pic.twitter.com/rhTWkTXOHh
— LTArsenal™️ (@ltarsenal) December 1, 2018
Meanwhile, Dinos Mavropanos will be on the sidelines as he recovers from groin injury, while Nacho Monreal will be unavailable with hamstring problem.
Aubameyang: “I prefer to play as a striker, but I’m a guy who wants to work for the team as well. If they need me on the wing, I will play on the wing, of course. But I prefer to play up front” #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/Flhrew54Ar
— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) November 30, 2018
Danny Welbeck, who had two successful operations following a severe ankle injury, is currently under rehabilitation.
Pochettino: “In the last few seasons we have increased the level against the London clubs. But, of course, Arsenal is special and it is important to be ready with the right mentality. Arsenal have a great manager now and it will be so tough to play.” #NLD
— AFCPressWatch (@AFCPressWatch2) November 30, 2018
The rest of the first team squad is fit and will be available for the game. Mesut Ozil would be a major centre of attraction for many fans, however, as Unai Emery opted to bench him for the entirety of the game against Bournemouth last week.
Ian Wright on Emery: “He makes decisions because they are best for the team. He’s not afraid to say ‘you know something, I don’t think I’m getting enough out of you’ & against a Bournemouth side he’s got the nerve to drop him. It’s up to Ozil to kick on” #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/M3SJUVqSZn
— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) November 26, 2018
Emery later stated that he wanted physical prowess against Eddie Howe’s side, which raised speculations over Emery’s assessment of Ozil.
