Ex-Arsenal man finds space for just two Tottenham Hotspur stars in red heavy combined XI

Lewis Oldham
Arsenal versus Tottenham

Ex-Arsenal man Mikael Silvestre could only find space for two Tottenham Hotspur stars in his combined XI made up of players from the North London rivals.

Spurs had the edge over Arsenal last season as they pipped their rivals to a spot in the top four.

This was helped by a 3-0 home victory at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium near the end of the campaign.

The Gunners have put that disappointment behind them this season as they are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The summer additions of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira – plus the return of Wilia Saliba – have been key as Arsenal have kicked on.

Tottenham meanwhile are down in fifth under Antonio Conte. They are perhaps a bit fortunate to be that high in the league as they have fallen behind way too many times this season.

Spurs have put in concerning performances against Brentford and Aston Villa since the World Cup break but they battered Crystal Palace 4-0 last week.

They followed that up with a win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round so they go into Sunday’s home game against Arsenal with a bit more confidence.

In the reverse fixture back in October, Arsenal beat 10-man Tottenham 3-1 and they fully deserved all three points.

Mikel Arteta’s go into this weekend’s game as the favourites once again and it would be a huge statement if they can beat their rivals on their home turf.

Ahead of this weekend’s game, Silvestre has suggested that Harry Kane and Cristian Romero are the only Tottenham players who would make it into a North London combined XI.

“Yeah my combined XI would be Arsenal and Harry Kane,” Silvestre told bettingexpert.

“I would’ve said Son. But not right now.

“So no Jesus, you put Kane instead of Nketiah. There’s no room for anybody else.”

“Maybe Romero and Gabriel Magalhaes at the back. Just on the form at the moment.”

Silvestre is expected the North London derby to be a “big battle”.

“It’s hard to predict that one (laughs),” Silvestre added.

“We know what Arsenal can do but on the other side, Spurs can be very good in the North London Derby.

“I think it’s going to be one of those, Arsenal getting on top or we’ll have a very good fight.

“Tottenham will obviously be extremely aggressive defensively but offensively, they can find solutions with Son, with Kane and other players around to create chances and score.

“I would go for the second – a big battle.”

Spurs coach Cristian Stellini thinks they are going into the game against Arsenal “in a good moment”.

“Yeah, I think we arrive in a good moment, in a good mood for this type of game,” Stellini said ahead of this weekend’s game.

“It is a north London derby, so nothing to say. It is an important game and we have the team to play this type of game.”

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