Arsenal line-up for crunch clash with Tottenham

I have heard a lot of pundits in the build up to the first north London derby of the weekend talking as if Arsenal were a nailed on certainty to beat Spurs today. I know we beat them three times out of three last seasons and I know that they have got stuck in a rut after a strong start, but it is not as if the Gunners have been blowing everyone away with all guns blazing.

All those games last season were pretty close games and I expect this one to be the same. Pochettino has already dspoken about the way he wants to approach the game, just like most do in their first derby. He wants the Spurs players to get in our faces and make life difficult. They will be happy with a draw but because Arsenal are at home, we want he win.

But that does not mean to go all out attack. I think we will need to be compact and strong, especially at the start, so that has influenced the team I have picked, with Chambers instead of Bellering and Flamini instead of Arteta.

Szczesny
Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil
Alexis, Welbeck, Chamberlain

I was tempted to go for Cazorla on the left for his link up play with Ozil but the Ox has much more energy and defensive responsibility, so the Spaniard, Wilshere and Podolski are on the bench in case we need a goal against tired legs.