Harry Kane
Home  »     »   Tottenham v Arsenal combined XI: Kane and Son headline our North London side

Tottenham v Arsenal combined XI: Kane and Son headline our North London side

| 03.12.2020

The first North London derby of the season is coming our way this Sunday, and we’re fascinated to see how Tottenham and Arsenal go about maintaining local pride.

While Spurs appear to be on the cusp of something special, Arsenal seem to be struggling to find their way under new management.

And ahead of this weekend’s key clash, we thought we’d combine the best of both worlds, for our North London XI…

GK – Hugo Lloris

There isn’t much in it between Hugo Lloris and Bernd Leno, truth be told. But we’re giving the gloves to Spurs’ World Cup-winning skipper having kept four clean sheets in his last five league games.

DF – Eric Dier

We all know Eric Dier can fill in at centre-half, but the England international has thrived at the back this season alongside Toby Alderweireld.  Spurs have the best defence in the Premier League, and Dier has played a key role in that.

DF – Gabriel

We’ve got to get some Arsenal players in here somewhere, and credit where credit’s due, Gabriel has been a welcome addition to the Gunners’ backline. Quick and mobile, Gabriel still has much to learn, but at 22-years-old, time is on his side, and he’s becoming a potent threat at the other end of the pitch too.

DF – Toby Alderweireld

Defending is all about partnerships, however, and while Gabriel has had to switch between David Luiz and Rob Holding as his defensive partner, Toby Alderweireld has struck up a solid foundation with Dier at Spurs.

Toby Alderweireld

RWB – Hector Bellerin

With Matt Doherty injured and Serge Aurier inconsistent, the door is open for Hector Bellerin on our right wing-back role.

It feels like the coolest Spaniard in London has been around for decades, but Bellerin is still only 25-years-old. The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold may have a greater presence going forward, but few can match Bellerin’s energy and defensive nous.

LWB – Sergio Reguilon

Spurs might have grabbed themselves a player here in Sergio Reguilon. The Spaniard has impressed since his summer move, offering composure and energy aplenty along the left flank, and he gets the nod over Kieran Tierney.

MF – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Based on performances so far, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a candidate for signing of the season.

The Danish international has brought much-needed steel in Tottenham’s midfield, adding protection for Dier and Alderweireld while allowing freedom for Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min going forward.

Hojbjerg ranks eighth for fouls committed this season, and third for tackles. ‘Nuff said.

MF – Thomas Partey

We know he’s only made a handful of appearances, and it’ll take time for him to settle in, but there’s plenty of signs that Thomas Partey is going to play a big role in Arsenal’s future.  It’s up to Arteta to figure out how best to utilise him, and who to play alongside the Ghanaian international.

MF – Tanguy Ndombele

Steven Bergwijn was a contender here, but his Spurs team-mate Tanguy Ndombele gets the spot. After a steady first season in the Premier League last term, the 23-year-old is really looking like a player now, and is revelling in a more advanced role, as part of Spurs’ swashbuckling forward displays.

FW – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

While he’s not enjoyed his usual glut of goals so far this season, nobody is doubting that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be plundering the back of the net should he be given the chance.

The Gabon striker would walk into most XIs, and he strolls into ours as part of a mighty North London attacking trio.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

FW – Son Heung-min

With nine goals already this season, Son Heung-min is striking fear into Premier League defences week-in week-out. The South Korean is on course to smash his personal best tally of 14 Premier League goals, and he’s developed a remarkably clinical partnership with the final man in our North London XI…

Son Heung-min

FW – Harry Kane

They said he couldn’t play under Jose Mourinho. How wrong they were. With seven goals and a whopping nine assists already this season, no player has directly contributed to more Premier League goals than Harry Kane.

The Spurs’ skipper seems to have added even more attributes to his all-round game this season, including a canny knack for sensational through-balls, usually to put Son in on goal. Of course he’s in our XI.

Tottenham v Arsenal odds

Such is the form of Jose Mourinho’s side right now, that our traders make them odds-on for North London glory at 19/20.

Arteta’s Arsenal, struggling for goals in the Premier League, are 29/10 for a massive three points, while a draw is 5/2.

View the latest Premier League odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.

«
»

Author

Richard Marsh

Richard loves his sport, especially if it involves the sound of tyres screaming around a race track. He's not fussy though and his '90s Premier League nostalgia and knowledge of team nicknames is tough to match.