EPL Preview: Predicting the Arsenal Starting XI vs. Tottenham

The match all of England watches with intent and agony. The encounter that never fails to produce tears, cheers, controversy, goals, intensity and pure madness. It is none other than the North London derby. Arsenal versus Tottenham.

The two English giants have enjoyed an intense rivalry since 1913 and in all competitions the Gunners' boast 71 wins to Tottenham's 52 whilst there have been 47 draws. Last season the two giants produced three stunning encounters, the first a 4-1 extra time win for Arsenal in the League Cup before a huge match when Tottenham came from two goals down to win 3-2 in the dieing stages of the match. Finally in April an exciting 3-3 draw arose.

This time around it is set to be a vital match at White Hart Lane. The Gunners' are considered at their weakest following their tumultuous summer and have only just returned to form with a 3-0 defeat of Bolton last weekend before a 2-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Greek champions Olympiacos.

Tottenham on the other hand are in a rich vein of form following their impressive summer acquisitions. Harry Redknapp's men have enjoyed three successive League wins and secured a 2-1 victory in the UEFA Europa League against Shamrock Rovers' midweek.

Furthermore with home ground advantage and a Gunners' outfit decimated by injury, Spurs will enter the game as potential favourites. The match will also see former Arsenal striker, who left the Emirates on precarious terms with the Gunners' faithful, take on his old club in their rivals shirt. It is certain to evoke some sort of reaction from the Togolese forward, the travelling fans and the Arsenal players.

None the less it will be an entertaining spectacle which is sure to produce something memorable or special.

BleacherReport predicts the Arsenal starting XI.

Goalkeeper

Young Polish shot stopper Wojciech Szczesny is certain to start. The 21-year-old has been in impressive form since the season commenced despite the Gunners' disappointing start. Countryman Lukasz Fabianski will continue to deputize and will make the bench.

Veteran Manuel Almunia and Italian youngster Vito Mannone will continue to watch from the stands.

Defenders

The Arsenal defensive line was decimated by injury mid week as Arsene Wenger was forced to play defensive midfielder Alexandre Song in the central defence against Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League.

Defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen is still absent following surgery on his ankle last month, the Belgian is expected to return in November. Frenchman Laurent Koscielny missed the UEFA Champions League encounter with an ankle complaint and is not expected to play alongside Johan Djourou who has a muscular calf problem.

Furthermore veteran Sebastien Squillaci has just returned to training and the Frenchman is unlikely to posses sufficient match experience to play whilst Spanish teenager Igansi Miquel also has a knee injury.

This ensures Alexandre Song is likely to partner German giant Per Mertesacker in the centre defence, the duo were solid against Olympiacos. Renowned right back Bacary Sagna will as routine start whilst England international Kieran Gibbs is likely to start at left back ahead of Brazilian Andre Santos, who scored his first goal for the Gunners' against Olympiacos. Teenager Carl Jenkinson is set to make the bench alongside Santos.

Midfielders

The Gunners' were hit with a major blow when the news emerged that 2010/2011 Arsenal Player of the Year and 2010/2011 PFA Young Player of the Year Jack Wilshere will not feature for up to five months following surgery on his ankle. The 19-year-old suffered the ankle problem during the preseason.

Ghanian teenager Emmanuel Frimpong will start in the defensive midfield role following Song's shift to centre back whilst Wales captain Aaron Ramsey, who was rested on the bench against Olympiacos, will take on the attacking midfield duties beside Spaniard Mikel Arteta.

Imposing Frenchman Abou Diaby is still absent due to an ankle injury and is expected to return after the international break. Furthermore Yossi Benayoun has overcome an ankle complaint and is set to resume training but is unlikely to make the bench.

Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky is a likely addition to the substitutes however French youngster Francis Coquelin is set to miss out alongside teenager Oguzhan Ozyakup.

Forwards

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, who recently brought up 100 goals for the Gunners', will start as the lone striker and lead the Arsenal attack. England international Theo Walcott, who is also in strong form, missed the Olympiacos encounter with a knee injury and is expected to be fit to start against Tottenham.

The same is said for Gervinho, who suffered a minor muscle problem ruling the Ivorian out of the mid week match, however the 24-year-old is set to be fit to start on the left wing. Exciting teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was man-of-the-match against Olympiacos, is set to make the bench along with Russian dynamo Andrei Arshavin and imposing Moroccan Marouane Chamakh.

This ensures promising forwards Chu Young-Park and Ryo Miyaichi will miss the North London derby.

Substitutes

With seven places on Wenger's bench, the Arsenal manager will have a tough time establishing who will make the substitutes list. However Lukasz Fabianski is set to be the deputy keeper whilst Carl Jenkinson and Andre Santos will be the emergency defenders, however Francis Coquelin may replace Jenkinson.

Tomas Rosicky, Andrei Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are destined to be the the impact attackers. However Yossi Benayoun may be included.

A good old fashioned North London derby. Can Arsenal overcome their fiercest rivals or will Tottenham prevail and signify that the tables really have turned?