No Aubameyang as Tottenham trounce Arsenal in Ultimate derby XI

 

Tottenham's welcome of Arsenal on Sunday pits north London's two giants against one another once more. The North London Derby is the first game fans look for when the fixtures are released and while the clash has lost some of its glamour in recent seasons, it's still a hotly contested affair between these two Premier League heavyweights. 

 

Ahead of today's encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, we look at a combined XI between the two sides of those to have made three or more Premier League starts this season. However, if you're an Arsenal fan, you may wish to look away now... 

 

 

In goal, Hugo Lloris (6.69) features in place of Bernd Leno (6.63), but as you can see, it was a close run affair. There are fitness concerns surrounding Lloris, with the Spurs skipper a doubt ahead of the clash and his absence would be a huge blow for Jose Mourinho's side. Joe Hart is on standby for Spurs, but the former Manchester City and Burnley man hardly inspires confidence following a lacklustre display in midweek. 

 

In defence, one of Arsenal's two representatives in this combined XI comes into the reckoning. Gabriel (7.05) has proven an inspired capture by the Gunners, with the Brazilian slotting in seamlessly at the Emirates. Spurs duo Eric Dier (6.78) and Toby Alderweireld (6.92) round off a three-man defence, and Mourinho will be hoping the latter can make the XI after he sat out the 0-0 draw with Chelsea with a groin issue. 

 

Sergio Reguilon (6.97) and Serge Aurier (7.73) occupy the wing-back spots in this team. The latter's inclusion is particularly notable given many a fan expected Aurier to depart over the summer following the arrival of Matt Doherty from Wolves. However, the Ivorian has excelled at right-back for Spurs and is now arguably first choice for Mourinho's side in the role. 

 

Shielding the defence we have the second Arsenal player in the team. Dani Ceballos (6.94) returned to north London for a second loan stint for Mikel Arteta's side and has done enough to secure a spot alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (6.96) in the middle of the park. The Dane has proven an exceptional signing from Southampton and is one of Spurs' unsung heroes in their fine season to date. 

 

No Aubameyang as Tottenham trounce Arsenal in Ultimate derby XI

 

Another, like Aurier, who deserves ample credit for turning their Spurs season around is Tanguy Ndombele (6.79). The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move away from Tottenham after a disappointing debut campaign in the capital, but has gone on to become a mainstay in Mourinho's starting XI and he'll hope to follow up his man of the match display at Chelsea last week with another star man showing against Arsenal. 

 

Leading the charge on the frontline is Harry Kane (8.08) and Son Heung-Min (7.66). Kane has scored 10 league goals in the North London Derby - no player has more - while Son played a key role in this game last season, scoring the equaliser before providing the winner for Alderweireld.  

 

The duo have combined to score nine league goals this season, with Kane assisting seven of Son's nine league goals, and their attacking displays keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (6.70) out of the XI. The Arsenal captain has underwhelmed in 2020/21, scoring two and assisting one, and misses out on a place in this XI as a result.

No Aubameyang as Tottenham trounce Arsenal in Ultimate derby XI