North London Derby: What would an Arsenal-Spurs combined XI look like?

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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal battles with Davinson Sanchez of Spurs during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

With a massive North London derby coming up this weekend between Arsenal and Spurs at the Emirates, lets try and put together a combined XI of the 2 sides.

While Spurs have earned plaudits over the last 6 months for reaching the Champions League final while Arsenal have received criticism for their crushing defeat in the Europa League final, its difficult to say that there is a significant gap in quality between these 2 sides.

Sure, Spurs have finished above Arsenal in the Premier League for 3 consecutive seasons now, but last season they managed to finish just 1 point ahead, while also failing to beat the Gunners in either Premier League fixture, losing 4-2 at the Emirates and drawing 1-1 at Wembley.

As these 2 sides meet for yet another North London Derby, which is becoming one of the most fiercely-contested fixtures in European football, there is plenty of talk about which side has the better players and who will come out on top in the clash, which goes on Sunday at 4:30 pm local time or 11:30 am Eastern.

It’s time for us to attempt to put together a starting XI, although there are some extremely difficult decisions across the park. The most difficult decision comes in goal, so let’s get that out of the way first and foremost:

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno – Arsenal

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

He may not be a World Cup-winner like his counterpart in the Spurs goal Hugo Lloris, but over the past year, Bernd Leno has grown into one of the most consistent and underrated goalkeepers in the Premier League. While he made a few errors at the start of the 2018-19 campaign which had some Arsenal fans nervous over the signing, he has been essentially flawless since the turn of the year, and has become comfortably the first name on the Arsenal team-sheet.

This decision was tough, as Hugo Lloris has a larger stature in the game and most probably would be picking him, but he is very much near the end of his time as a top goalkeeper, as he is a player that bloomed very early in his career – a rarity for a goalkeeper.

Left Back: Danny Rose – Spurs

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 25, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

The choice for left-back between these 2 sides was relatively easy, although it might not be that way in a few months. Arsenal have started the season with Nacho Monreal at left-back, and while he is as reliable as always, he does not possess the quality of Danny Rose. Sead Kolasinac hasn’t really seen the pitch for the Gunners this year, and his defensive frailties leave him out of the equation.

While Kieran Tierney may very well be a better left-back than Danny Rose, the fact that we don’t really know how he will perform for Arsenal makes it essentially impossible to pick him.

Centre Backs: Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld – Spurs

BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 11: Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur arrive prior to during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur at Camp Nou on December 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

This choice was very simple. There is simply nobody in the Arsenal center-back core even remotely close to unseating Spurs’ Belgian center-back duo of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. These 2 stalwarts have been the solid foundation that Spurs have built their recent teams off of, and both of them waltz into this combined XI comfortably.

Arsenal still have some work to do in the center-back department in seems, despite signing David Luiz from Chelsea. The Brazilian was directly at fault for 2 of the goals Arsenal conceded to Liverpool last weekend, and whether he is even an upgrade or not remains to be seen. Rob Holding may very well relegate Luiz to the bench once he returns from injury.

Right Back: Hector Bellerin – Arsenal

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 19: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on January 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Yes, Hector Bellerin is injured, and he has been since January, but his quality in this position compared to the other competitors on both sides means that he has to be put into this combined XI, no questions asked. Even if you wanted to only include players who are fit for this Sunday’s match, then Ainsley Maitland-Niles would take up this position.

Spurs sold Kieran Trippier earlier in the summer, and have relied upon youth prospect Kyle Walker-Peters to fill in the hole rather than searching the market. The youngster may very well become a great player, but even with an ACL injury Bellerin is far ahead in his development, and is a far better footballer.

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