Mikel Arteta can outclass Tottenham with three key Arsenal changes
Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on the road following the international break.
The Gunners had a brilliant start to the Premier League season with victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, but they shared the spoils (1-1) against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mikel Arteta’s side were on course for a routine victory, but the complexion of the game changed after Declan Rice was given his marching orders in the 49th minute.
Brighton soon equalised at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal did well to secure a point. Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz also had big chances to score the winning goal.
Arsenal will return after the international break to face Spurs and the manager will have to find a new solution in midfield with Rice suspended for the north London derby.
Here are three key changes Arteta should make against Spurs
Jurrien Timber in midfield
The Dutchman has started at left-back in the last two outings. He has inverted into midfield to partner Thomas Partey when the Gunners have had possession. This has allowed Rice to play higher up the pitch.
In Rice’s absence, the Ajax graduate could slot alongside Partey in the centre of the park next week. Arteta would not want Havertz to drop into midfield, having found plenty of success as the main striker.
Jorginho and Oleksandr Zinchenko are other options, but the former is not the most mobile. Zinchenko is brilliant with the ball at his feet, but has been defensively vulnerable on the counter-attack.
Mikel Merino is obviously injured and won’t be available until late October.
Timber could provide the right balance in attack and defence with his tireless work rate.
Riccardo Calafiori at left-back
Timber’s positional change would obviously mean that another player will occupy the left-back role.
Calafiori seems perfectly suited for the position, having impressed in recent cameos. The Italian is a ball-playing defender with a strong aerial presence and likes to engage in ground challenges.
His defensive awareness as well as ball-carrying ability should see him get the nod over Zinchenko. The Ukrainian won just 40% of his ground and aerial duels during the curtain-raiser against Wolves.
Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing
Martinelli was replaced by Leandro Trossard in the starting line-up last weekend following his goal at Villa Park. However, the Belgian struggled to make any impact before his substitution.
In our view, Martinelli could replace him on the left wing against Spurs, who play with a high defensive line. The Brazilian’s pace would be handy in exploiting spaces behind their defence.
Trossard could come off the bench where he has been most effective for the Gunners.
