Arsenal predicted line-up vs Tottenham: two changes made including big Odegaard replacement call

The north London derby is a fixture where a win feels like a trophy, and a defeat feels like a cup final loss. Arsenal have won three and drawn one of the last four derbies and were expected to go into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the favourites until the international break threw a wrench in their plans. The Gunners will be missing Martin Odegaard, their captain and most creative player.

Odegaard was injured while playing in the UEFA Nations League for Norway during their 2-1 win over Austria. Mikel Arteta will not only be without his captain; another key player, Declan Rice, is suspended for the game.

New signings Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino are also unavailable due to injury, while Gabriel Jesus and Tomiyasu are sidelined as well. Considering the players available for selection, previous starting XIs, the importance of this fixture, and the congested schedule in September, we’ve predicted the starting XI that Arteta may field on Sunday against arch-rivals Tottenham.

Goalkeeper and Defenders

David Raya has been Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper, even while on loan from Brentford. He is fit for the game and remains the obvious choice to start between the sticks. Regular right-back Ben White will continue in his role, and with Tomiyasu injured, White will not get a rest. Last season’s best central defensive pairing, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, are expected to start, especially with Calafiori injured during Italy’s Nations League game against France.

Arteta won’t want to risk the Italian defender when his trusted duo is available. At left-back, Arsenal have rotated their starters in the first three games of the season. Zinchenko started in the win against Wolves, while Timber played the following two matches.

Timber is expected to start this weekend, with Zinchenko likely kept on the bench as midfield cover, considering the unavailability of two of Arsenal's starting midfielders.

Midfielders

Arsenal will be without two key players in midfield- Declan Rice (suspended) and captain Odegaard (injured). Jorginho is expected to step in for Rice, but with Odegaard out, his direct substitute, Mikel Merino, is also unavailable.

Arsenal paid £32 million for the Spanish Euro 2024-winning midfielder, but the former Real Sociedad player is expected to be out until mid-October. Kai Havertz, who started the first three games as a striker, will likely be moved back into midfield to provide creativity in Odegaard's absence. Thomas Partey will be the only starting midfielder from the usual lineup available for Sunday’s derby.

Forwards

The first name on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet will undoubtedly be Bukayo Saka. Arsenal will look to their talisman for inspiration. Saka has scored in the last two North London Derbies, and fans will be hoping he extends that streak this weekend. With Gabriel Jesus still injured and Raheem Sterling newly joined (and possibly rusty), the remaining two attackers to play alongside Saka are clear choices: Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

The only question is who will play through the middle and who will take the wide-left position. We predict Trossard will be the false nine for Sunday’s derby, as he is more clinical in front of goal. Last season, he netted 12 goals in 34 games, while Gabriel Martinelli scored 6 goals in 35 appearances.

Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Timber; Partey, Jorginho, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.