One of the most important North London derbies in recent memory will take place on Sunday afternoon, with title-challenging Arsenal heading to top-four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Arsenal are currently top of the table, one point clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game spare, with the Citizens in the driving seat when it comes to the championship.
Tottenham, meanwhile, sit fifth, six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa but with two games spare.
Spurs will be bidding to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat at Newcastle United, while Arsenal were 5-0 winners over Chelsea in their last game in England's top flight.
There will be a number of the Premier League's best players on display this weekend, and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for the clash.
Guglielmo Vicario has proven to be a smart signing for Tottenham, with the 27-year-old largely impressing between the sticks this season, but he misses out on a spot in this side to David Raya. The Spain international has been in strong form for the Gunners during the 2023-24 campaign, playing an important role for the best defensive side in the division this term, and he gets the nod in goal when it comes to this combined XI.
Arsenal have been so impressive defensively this season, conceding just 26 times in their 34 league matches, and it was therefore incredibly difficult not to name a back four dominated by players from Mikel Arteta's team.
Ben White, Gabriel and William Saliba all make it, with the trio enjoying brilliant seasons individually but also collectively, with all three contributing greatly to the team's overall performance. White and Gabriel have come up with four goals each, meanwhile, and it was impossible to leave any of them out of this side.
There is space for one Tottenham defender, though, and Pedro Porro is given the nod. The 24-year-old has come up with two goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, proving himself to be a valuable addition to the squad, and the Spaniard completes the back four here.
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Martin Odegaard sails into the side, with the Norway international proving to be a vital player for Arsenal, coming up with 11 goals and nine assists in 44 appearances in all competitions. The 25-year-old has shown leadership during difficult moments for the Gunners, and he has been a sensational signing for the club.
The same can also be said for Declan Rice, who has taken his game to a new level this season after arriving at the Emirates Stadium from West Ham United. Rice has managed six goals and eight assists in 47 appearances this season, and the 25-year-old has also been so important to Arsenal's strong defensive record.
Kai Havertz, who has scored 12 times this season, could have been selected in midfield, while Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma were also options, but James Maddison is named in the side. The England international has had a strong first season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, contributing four goals and seven assists in 24 appearances in all competitions, and he has effortlessly made the step up to a bigger club.
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Two of the front three were certainties, with Bukayo Saka coming up with 18 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances for Arsenal during the 2023-24 campaign. The 22-year-old has taken his performances to a new level this season, and he has been vital to the club's success this term.
Son Heung-min also makes it, with the 31-year-old scoring 15 goals and registering nine assists in 30 appearances for Spurs this season. Tottenham needed the South Korean to step up following Harry Kane's departure, and that has been the case, showing glimpses of his best form throughout the season.
There were so many credible options for the third attacking spot, with Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson playing their parts for Tottenham this season, while Gabriel Martinelli has eight goals and five assists in 40 appearances for Arsenal in 2023-24.
The final spot in the XI goes to Leandro Trossard, though, with the 29-year-old managing 15 goals and two assists in 42 appearances in all competitions. There were question marks over his suitability for the Gunners when he arrived, but he has proven to be an excellent addition, with his game intelligence also vital for Arteta's team.
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Matt Law
