Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur: Combined XI

Saturday brings together two of the in-form sides in the Premier League. Whilst Arsenal have won 5 of their last 6 games in the Premier League, Tottenham themselves have picked 19 of the last available 24 points. But, as they say, the form goes out of the window when it comes to a derby and a North-London derby doesn’t always go according to form.The North London derby is one the greatest spectacles of passion exhibited by the fans in the Premier League. The game not only brings together two of the best fan bases in the country, but also some the best talents on show in the Premier League. With only two points separating them, it’s a tough job to separate them from each other. The task becomes even harder if we are to pick out the best XI amongst the talented lot.But, that's what we are here for. Here is the best combined eleven between the two sides:The team will line up in a 433 formation

#1 Goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris is a shoe-in in the position with neither of the Arsenal custodians mounting any real serious threat. Wojciech Szczesny has my non-consideration after having lost out on his place due to inconsistencies. David Ospina, on the other hand, has had four clean sheets in four starts for the Gunners but has never really been stretched in the games he has appeared in so far.

However, neither of the names are the real reasons for Lloris’ selection. The French international skipper embodies the term – sweeper keeper. His agility with his feet helps Mauricio Pochettino’s men to play an extra yard up the field. Meanwhile, his brilliant reflex saves no longer surprises people. They have become quite like a unifying scientific concept that has been accepted by all and sundry. He would have been a bigger house-hold name had he been playing for one of the title-challengers.

#2 Defence

Nacho Monreal (Left Back): The Spaniard has quite become the unsung hero for Arsenal in the last few weeks. After being relegated to the bench last season, the Spanish international has shot back into the picture ever since the new year. 2015 has been a good year for the ex-Malaga man as he has started all but one game this year. Arsenal have kept a clean sheet on each of the four occasions Monreal has started in that spot. Whilst Danny Rose might mount more of a threat going forward, Monreal lends more balance to the team.

Jan Verthongen (Centre Back): The Belgian has been the pillar at the back for Tottenham. Whilst Verthongen’s future at White Hart Lane has been questioned time and again owing to Spurs’ inability to crack the top four the last couple of seasons, he should prove to be one of the decisive factors on whether or not the Lily Whites make it to the biggest stage in Europe next season. His partnership with Federico Fazio at the back has been one of the main reasons that they have lost only 2 games in the last 14.

Laurent Koscielny (Centre Back): He is the difference-maker at the back for Arsenal and the stats speak for themselves. With the Frenchman in the side, the Gunners win more than 70 percent of their games, concede just 0.6 goals per game and their clean sheet against Villa last week was their 9th in 18 games with the Frenchman in the team. If Arsenal are to crack the top four again this season, Koscielny needs to stay on the field.

Hector Bellerin (Right Back): The choices at the spot were bleak, but the teenager’s performance against Aston Villa (although it was against Villa), earned him the spot over Kyle Walker, who himself has featured in only seven games so far this season.

#3 Midfield

Aaron Ramsey (Defensive Midfield): Many would have turned their eyes if I had suggested playing the Welshman in a defensive role after having a 15+ goal-scoring season last time around. However, with Arsenal not playing on the break like last season and the unavailability of Mikel Arteta, circumstances dictated that the Welshman curb his natural tendencies of romping forward and become more withdrawn, playing in a more defensive role. With Ramsey in the side, playing the deep role, the Gunners have lost only one of their last nine games in all competitions.

Christian Eriksen (Centre Midfield): Cristian Eriksen is proving his pedigree with each outing for Spurs. In the space of one and a half year, the Danish playmaker has, well and truly, become the heart and soul of their attacking abilities. He is at the centre of every positive thing that emanates from Mauricio Pochettino’s plans going forward. Whilst operating on the wings on a number of occasions, the former Ajax prodigy has the ability to come inside and dictate the tempo of the game. 9 goals for the Danish international is just the icing on the cake.

Santi Cazorla (Attacking Midfield): The saying “one man’s food is another man’s poison” reflects perfectly about the situation Santi Cazorla has found himself in the last few months at Arsenal. The Spaniard was swinging between the doldrums of the bench and the wing (not his preferred spot) as Mesut Ozil took over the responsibilities of being the main man at the centre of the park last season.

However, with the German struggling with injury in the early part of the season, the mantle of “play-maker” was again passed on to the Spaniard. Then came the resurgence. Cazorla looks a rejuvenated man ever since moving back to the middle and his play has brought joy to the hearts of every football lover transcending all borders. His little swivels and exquisite first touches keep reminding us why football is called “The Beautiful Game”. It would certainly disappoint me if he is not handed the Player of the Month award for the month of January.

#4 Forwards

Theo Walcott (Right Wing): The Englishman has announced his return to the Arsenal fold with a bang so far. His two goals in his first two starts for the Gunners means that he will be revving himself up for another assault on the Tottenham left, although this time he will have the pace of Danny Rose to contend with.

Nacer Chadli (Left Wing): With Alexis Sanchez ruled out for the game and Mesut Ozil yet to give me a sample space big enough to pass a judgement, the battle for the spot was between two Spurs players in Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli. Whilst Lamela starred for Pochettino in their 3-0 drubbing of West Brom last week, Chadli wins the place for me due to his consistency over the course of the season. Chadli was one of the number of players that Spurs brought in following the departure of Gareth Bale. After struggling to get upto pace of the Premier League, the Belgian seems to have finally found a niche on the Tottenham wing. 7 goals and 5 assists this season, pays testament to the fact.

Harry Kane (Forward): Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to appoint Emmanuel Adebayor as the club vice-captain at the start of the season baffled most of the Spurs fans. What bemused them further was his insistence at playing the Togolese forward and the overwhelmingly underachieving Roberto Soldado instead of Kane, who was scoring goals by the handful in cup competitions.

Kane has been patiently waiting for his turn since the beginning of the season. It was a season which many thought would be his coming out party, and now it certainly feels like one. He got his chance finally in around November and has grabbed with both hands. The Tottenham youth academy product has scored 9 goals in his last 16 starts which include a brace last week at The Hawthorns.

#5 Manager and substitutes

Tottenham Arsenal — The Tottenham-Arenal combined XI

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Wenger has encountered plenty of abuse – both from his own fans and other teams’ supporters, but the Frenchman has kept going and got results in all the competitions. He has helped Arsenal qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages once again while booking the Gunners’ spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup and his team lie outside the top four virtue of goal difference. But, his only blemish so far this season has come in the Capital One Cup where they were knocked out at home by Southampton in the third round.

Subs: David Ospina, Federico Fazio, Kyle Walker, Francis Coquelin, Mesut Ozil, Eric Lamela, Olivier Giroud

Edited by Staff Editor