Arsenal will be aiming to end a three-match winless streak in the Premier League when they come up against arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on the road this evening.
The Gunners are currently 14th on the table with 13 points and that is apparently their worst ever start since the Premier League was formed back in 1992.
On the contrary, Spurs are currently second in the standings with 21 points. They will go top of the table once again, should they beat their north London rivals in their game in hand.
Nothing much has gone right for the Gunners this term and manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his team can produce a similar display to that at Old Trafford, where they beat Manchester United 1-0.
Formation: 3-4-3
Predicted Lineup:
Bernd Leno has been the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and he is bound to start. In the defence, Arteta may want more protection to guard against the in-form duo of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.
A back three seems likely. Rob Holding, David Luiz and Gabriel Magalhaes could be the preferred combination. Luiz was substituted midway through the Wolves clash after a cut on his head after his collision with Raul Jimenez, but he should return to the mix for the derby.
Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are the most likely candidates for the right and left wing-back positions respectively. Bellerin has been impressive in an attacking point of view this term with four assists, but he will need to be more aware of his defensive duties today. We could see the Gunners drop into a back five at regular intervals.
At the heart of the midfield, Thomas Partey should start the game, provided he passes the late fitness test. He has returned to training in the lead-up to the north London derby. Mohamed Elneny would be the ideal partner for him, particularly after the duo put up a masterclass in midfield against United last month.
Further forward, it should be the same frontline from the early part of the campaign. Willian and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should take up the right and left wing positions respectively with Alexandre Lacazette leading the line.
Lacazette scored a stunning long-range goal in midweek and he should be full of confidence. The Frenchman has enjoyed playing against Spurs and he has contributed a goal or an assist in five of the previous six Premier League appearances against them.
Predicted Arsenal line-up (3-4-3): Bernd Leno; Rob Holding, David Luiz, Gabriel Magalhaes; Hector Bellerin, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Kieran Tierney; Willian, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
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