Arsenal and Tottenham combined XI: Spurs outnumber Gunners nine to two, as Mesut Ozil misses out

No place for Mesut | Ozil misses out in our ultimate north London derby XI
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James Olley17 November 2017

Ahead of this Saturday’s north London derby, Standard Sport’s James Olley selected his combined XI of Arsenal and Tottenham stars…

Mesut Ozil is undoubtedly the highest-profile casualty here but in an effort to maintain a genuine balance to the team and not push Christian Eriksen into central midfield, it became a straight choice between the pair.

Eriksen is a marginal preference. Elsewhere, Kieran Trippier has made a promising start in replacing Kyle Walker but Hector Bellerin’s proven Premier League quality earned him the nod.

Otherwise, it is a team dominated by one who finished runners-up last season over another which finished outside the top four.

Alexis Sanchez is accommodated for his match-winning qualities, work-rate and hunger to press, which would fit neatly with the philosophy the Tottenham players are used to under Mauricio Pochettino.

Arsenal have the ability to make a mockery of this 9-2 imbalance on any given day but it is merely a reflection of their contrasting fortunes over the last 18 months or so.

Sead Kolasinac is a close contender behind Rose after impressing since his summer move while Harry Winks came close to selection after a breakthrough spell for club and country.

Here’s James Olley’s Arsenal-Tottenham combined XI in full…

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Team: Lloris; Bellerin, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Dier; Eriksen, Alli, Sanchez; Kane.

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