Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces three crunch calls in huge derby vs Tottenham
Raya backed to beat Ramsdale to Arsenal starting spot
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has three huge decisions to ponder as the Gunners prepare for the first north London derby of the Premier League season. Six stars are competing for just three spots in the Arsenal team, meaning Arteta will be forced to let down a devastated trio.
Ramsdale vs Raya
Debate around Mikel Arteta’s goalkeeping situation has trickled into another week. Aaron Ramsdale has been the undisputed No 1 at the Emirates Stadium for two years, but the arrival of David Raya has changed that.
Raya was handed a shock start in last weekend’s Premier League win at Everton. He then started the Champions League victory against PSV.
Arteta insists his selection of his goalkeepers is purely tactical and that there is not a first-choice shot-stopper. But if Raya starts in the north London derby, the Spaniard is surely Arteta’s preferred choice.
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Vieira vs Havertz
A decision will also need to be made on who completes Arsenal’s three-man midfield against Spurs. Captain Martin Odegaard and £105million signing Declan Rice are almost certain to start matches whenever they are fit, leaving just one more place in midfield.
Fabio Vieira has shone in his cameos of late, proving that he perhaps deserved more game time last season following his move from Porto. The Portuguese has performed well when called upon by Arteta and may get the nod to play in midfield.
However, the Arsenal boss could instead use Kai Havertz alongside Odegaard and Rice. The German has enjoyed a couple of positive performances after a slow start to life in north London.
Gabriel Jesus’s return from injury means the £65m signing from Chelsea will no longer need to play in a more unnatural centre-forward position. Havertz could begin to thrive in central midfield and there would be no better game for him to make his mark than against Spurs.
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Martinelli vs Trossard
Arteta has refused to rule out Gabriel Martinelli despite the Brazilian suffering a hamstring injury against Everton. He was replaced by Leandro Trossard, who scored the decisive goal at Goodison Park.
If Martinelli is fit then Arteta faces the tough choice of picking between the two players. Martinelli has generally been regarded as the first-choice left winger but Trossard’s excellent form may come into the thinking.
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