Tottenham vs Arsenal – Combined XI

The big game in the Capital One Cup Third Round sees North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal square off tonight at White Hart Lane. League form goes out of the window when it comes to cup competition, especially between fierce rivals like these two.

With that in mind, I have compiled a combined XI from these two clubs.

The line up is a 4-2-3-1 formation

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)

 The French stopper gets the nod ahead of Arsenal counterpart Petr Cech in this line up. Cech has a wealth of Premier League experience, and a couple of winners’ medals. However, since a £10m move to Arsenal in the summer, he has struggled to recapture the form that made him one of the very best stoppers in Europe. He made a high-profile error on his Gunners league debut against West Ham.

Lloris, while he does not have the English top-flight experience, or success, that Cech has, has established himself as the number one at White Hart Lane, and has had a more consistent start to this season than Cech. That is enough for him to be between the sticks in this line-up.

Right-back: Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Bellerin gets the right-back role instead of Kyle Walker here. Walker has not regained the form he showed that got him England call ups when he suffered an injury. The own goal Walker scored against Manchester United in the season opener also goes against him here.

Bellerin signed a new deal with the Gunners in the summer, and is the fastest player in the Arsenal squad. His speed helps them down the right side of the pitch.

Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)

Belgian Vertonghen slots in at centre-back. He certainly earns it, he makes an average of 6.83 clearances so far this season, and marshals the Spurs back line well.

Centre-back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

Joining Vertonghen at the heart of the defence is the second Frenchman to make the line up, Laurent Koscielny. He makes it ahead of teammate Per Mertesacker, as he has been more consistent in the Arsenal defence this season so far.

Left-back: Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)

Brought in by Arsene Wenger as a replacement for Gael Clichy, sold to Manchester City, Monreal has done very well so far for Arsenal. He is rated higher than any defender from either club in the Premier League Player Performance Index, apart from Eric Dier. Dier, while he plays well and is versatile, does not make the starting XI. Danny Rose also misses out, as he has been less consistent than Monreal.

Centre Defensive Midfield: Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)

Coquelin is one of those players who is football’s version of Marmite. But, love him or hate him, few would argue that Coquelin has had a fine 2015 so far.

Centre Defensive Midfield: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

Having Welshman Ramsey alongside Coquelin allows Ramsey to Ram-page forward, while the Frenchman does the donkey work. And with both players so young, there is bound to be plenty of energy in that midfield.

Right Wing: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

Chilean Sanchez out on the wing allows for flexibility within this team. Sanchez is dynamite on the field, and can unlock any defence.

Left Wing: Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Imagine, Arsenal fans, Walcott and Sanchez out wide. What damage could that do to defences? It may also take some of the pressure off of Olivier Giroud in the goals department.

Centre Attacking Midfield: Harry Kane (Tottenham)

While more of an out-an-out striker, Kane still gets the nod over Mesut Ozil. Not only to balance out an Arsenal-heavy midfield, but by playing in the hole behind the main striker, a la Wayne Rooney, he could be just as devastating. Suffering a bit of a goal drought, but once he gets the first, expect them to fly in.

Striker: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham)

What an impact the South Korean has made since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen. Three goals to his name already for the club, and seems to have fit in nicely up front. Again, takes pressure off Kane.

That is my combined Tottenham/Arsenal XI. But, what is yours? Disagree with any of my selections?

by Steve Osborne