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Arsenal vs. Tottenham: Combined XI ahead of North London derby

By Craig Pearson

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech celebrates after the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on October 2, 2016 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech celebrates after the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on October 2, 2016 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper and Defense

Both teams have exceptional goalkeepers, with Arsenal boasting Petr Cech as their number one and Tottenham having Hugo Lloris protecting their goal. Lloris is supremely talented but is prone to making mistakes more than Cech is.

Cech has proved a bargain acquisition from Chelsea. The 34-year-old has been somewhere between steady and exceptional for most of his games in Arsenal colors. This season is proving no different. So despite Spurs having the best defense in the league, it is Cech who makes it into this combined XI.

Right back is just as tough to choose from. Hector Bellerin and Kyle Walker are probably two of the three best right backs in the Premier League. However, on this occasion, it’s the Arsenal man who barely gets the nod.

At left back, it’s Danny Rose who gives Spurs their first player in the team. Rose was outstanding for Tottenham last season, and now this season he is performing exceptionally once again. Nacho Monreal is steady for Arsenal, but Rose is just that bit better than the Spaniard.

Center-back is a position that both teams can boast an have extremely strong partnership in. Tottenham have Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, who were the best two center-backs in the Premier League last season.

Whilst Arsenal have Laurent Koscielny and summer-signing Shkodran Mustafi. Tottenham have the best defensive record in the league by a distance and much of that is down to Vertonghen and Alderweireld.

If they stay fit, they could once again be the best pairing the division has to offer. However, Alderweireld is not fully fit and will not start the game against Arsenal. So that means the Belgian is not available for this XI either.

So given that both Koscielny and Mustafi are fully fit and ready to go, the Arsenal pairing take their place at the heart of the defensive back four.

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