Heung-min Son is the only Tottenham player who will definitely make the Arsenal XI, even with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard out
Arsenal may be without their starting midfield for Sunday's north London derby, but their squad is far superior to Tottenham's.
That's the Gunners legend's view. Emmanuel Petitwho has declared that Son Heung-min is the only Spurs star who will definitely make his starting XI for the north London derby.
Mikel Arteta heads into the derby without several key players, with club-record signing Declan Rice suspended following his controversial red card Against Brighton.
Before the 1-1 draw before the international break, they were also rocked by the news that £32million summer signing Mikel Merino had suffered an injury. training camp injuryleaving him out of action until at least mid-October.
Arsenal suffered another blow earlier this week after Martin Odegaard suffered a ankle injury Odegaard is currently on tour with Norway. It remains to be seen when he will return, but Norway's physiotherapist has suggested that Odegaard will be sidelined for three weeks.
Those three players were expected to be Arsenal's three preferred midfielders. Artetawhich means the Spaniard will have to improvise for Sunday's clash.
This could see Jorginho, who has not played a single minute this season, start, while star striker Kai Havertz could be forced to retreat on a number 8 paper.
ArsenalThe midfield problem, coupled with the possible absence versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori – has left fans feeling they could drop points to Spurs.
But speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Petit, who is famous for… He turned down a move to Spurs for Arsenal in 1997 – backing his former employers to three straight wins at Tottenham.
He then asked co-hosts Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent how many of SpursThe players would form a combined eleven between the two teams.
Petit immediately rejected Goldstein's suggestion that Micky van de Ven could slot in opposite Gunners centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of defence.
He simply replied, “No way.”
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Goldstein responded by claiming that Spurs captain Son would come into his team in place of Arsenal left winger Gabriel Martinelli.
This was backed by former Tottenham striker and Arsenal fan Bent, and Petit accepted his response.
“That's the only one,” Bent said, and Petit admitted, “Probably, yes.”
Petit then insisted: “Even without Odegaard and Declan Rice, I'll stick with the Arsenal players.”
Former Leicester player James Maddison Goldstein then dropped him into midfield due to Arsenal's absences.
He was a player Petit acknowledged could come into Arsenal's current makeshift squad, as he said: “Maybe.
“So maybe two players maximum, even when Odegaard and Declan Rice It's not there. You have your answer (who will win the North London derby).
And after determining that Arsenal still have a better team than Spurs despite their setbacks, Petit believes the Gunners will walk away with all three points.
He commented: “I was worried, that's why I predicted a draw, but now I have changed my mind.
“I also read the papers, apparently (Yves) Bissouma is injured, they are not sure about (Dominic) Solanke and the centre-back (Van de Ven).
“But even with those lads, I know they can't afford to lose two games in a row, they lost to Newcastle before the international break.
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“I know they lost at home to Arsenal last season, so for many reasons they have to put on the perfect game for their fans.”
He continued: “But I see this Arsenal team with Arteta, with the atmosphere, the confidence, the way they work and have been dealing with things in the last two or three years and the way they improve.
“I remember two years ago (May 2022) when they were thrashed (3-0) at Tottenham, they lost the (Champions League spot).
“But last season it changed completely, I was worried about that, mentally and physically I was prepared for it.
“And I'm pretty sure it will be the same on Sunday.
“It will be a tough game, I'm sure there will be a lot of goals, I don't see it being a close game, I'd say 2-1 or 3-1 for Arsenal.”
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