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Arsenal vs Tottenham: Dele Alli to start for Spurs in crunch North London derby

DELE ALLI will start for Tottenham in the crunch North London derby at Arsenal.

The England midfielder sat out of the international friendlies but is fit enough to make Mauricio Pochettino's side.

 Tottenham star Dele Alli is set to line-up against Arsenal
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Tottenham star Dele Alli is set to line-up against ArsenalCredit: Getty

Alli suffered a minor hamstring injury in the 3-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid which led to him missing Spurs' clash with Crystal Palace.

He joined Harry Kane and Harry Winks in declaring himself unavailable for the Three Lions' high-profile friendlies with Germany and Brazil.

The pull-outs were criticised from some quarters, with fans claiming stars should do everything they can to represent their country.

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, blasted England boss Gareth Southgate for allowing Phil Jones to have SIX injections so he could play.

 Dele Alli was on target for Spurs against Real Madrid
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Dele Alli was on target for Spurs against Real MadridCredit: Getty Images
 England ace Alli is becoming a huge name after impressing for Spurs
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England ace Alli is becoming a huge name after impressing for SpursCredit: AFP

He said: “I’ve been a manager since 2000 and in 17 years I’ve never had one single player who had injections of an anaesthetic to play a friendly. Never. Never.

“I am not an angel and I have had players injected to play official matches, crucial matches but a friendly — to get six local anaesthetic injections to play a friendly.

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 Phil Jones needed SIX injections to take to the field
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Phil Jones needed SIX injections to take to the fieldCredit: EPA

“I’ve never heard of that. But Phil Jones had it and had it before the match and after 15 minutes he was out and now is out for us.

“He didn’t feel good during the warm-up. Between the warm-up and the start of the match he had five more local anaesthetic injections.”

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