Our reporters have predicted the Tottenham line-up they believe Thomas Frank will choose for the first North London Derby of the season against Arsenal.<\/p>\n
With the derby approaching, Spurs have received a major boost as their injury list is rapidly shrinking. Frank revealed on Friday that eight of the twelve previously sidelined players are now back in training. The returning group includes attackers Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Muani\u2014who is using a protective mask for his fractured jaw\u2014midfielders Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, along with defenders Ben Davies, Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin, who featured for 45 minutes in an under-21 friendly last week.<\/p>\n
This gives Frank far more options for his squad ahead of Sunday\u2019s trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Mikel Arteta\u2019s Arsenal. Below are the predicted line-ups from two of our journalists:<\/p>\n
Alasdair Gold \u2013 Tottenham Correspondent<\/p>\n
Most Spurs players kept a light workload during the international break, meaning Frank should have a fresh squad for the tough run of fixtures ahead.<\/p>\n
At left-back, the main decision is between Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie, both of whom have handled Bukayo Saka well in recent years. In central midfield, Sarr, Bergvall and Gray may not be ready to start, so the question becomes whether Xavi Simons partners Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha or plays on the left wing.<\/p>\n
There are also attacking choices to make: is Kudus fit enough to start, who leads the line between Richarlison, the masked Kolo Muani, or the in-form Mathys Tel, and who plays on the left\u2014Brennan Johnson, Xavi Simons, or Wilson Odobert?<\/p>\n
Johnson will be boosted by his superb goal for Wales, while Kudus had been excellent before his injury. Frank may want both Kudus and Xavi involved to maximise creativity and set-piece quality.<\/p>\n
Gold\u2019s predicted XI:
\nVicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha, Xavi; Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson.<\/p>\n
Ryan Taylor \u2013 Sports Reporter<\/p>\n
Frank\u2019s team selections are often unpredictable\u2014especially for a North London Derby.<\/p>\n
Spurs\u2019 late comeback against Manchester United offered plenty of optimism, and that performance could influence Frank\u2019s decisions. Several players also return from international duty in good form, including Xavi Simons and Brennan Johnson, who both scored for their countries.<\/p>\n
Three of the back four are straightforward picks, while Udogie would get the edge over Spence at left-back if fit.<\/p>\n
In midfield, Sarr\u2019s energy could enhance the strength and work rate of Palhinha and Bentancur. Kudus returning is a huge boost. He may take Johnson\u2019s place on the right, with Xavi shifting to the left. Up front, Kolo Muani has impressed lately and may keep his starting spot despite Richarlison scoring against United.<\/p>\n
Taylor\u2019s predicted XI:
\nVicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Sarr, Simons; Kolo Muani.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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