Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has made a bold Arsenal squad prediction ahead of the North London derby.
After a frustrating international break, Mikel Arteta is preparing his squad for the challenges ahead in the Premier League.
Next for Arsenal comes a trip to N17 to face North London rivals Tottenham, in a huge clash on match day four.
The Gunners will travel light to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a number of Arteta’s favoured XI set to be unavailable for the fixture.
- READ MORE: What is the North London Derby? Everything you need to know about the Arsenal and Tottenham rivalry
Sam Allardyce makes Gabriel Martinelli North London derby prediction
Injuries and suspensions aside, there’s an ongoing dilemma that Arteta has to solve once more before the derby.
One issue that Arsenal have faced early into the 2024/25 campaign is the left side of the pitch, with the combination of Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli looking disjointed.
The latter has been in poor form for quite some time, leading to Arteta dropping the Brazilian last time out against Brighton.
Now, Premier League icon Sam Allardyce has predicted who will start on the left wing for the Gunners at Spurs, backing Leandro Trossard to earn a consecutive start, via No Tippy Tappy Football.
“I think he’s going to do a Trossard,” Allardyce said, sharing his reason for the Belgian being selected.
“He [Arteta] might do it to stop him sulking. He had a big sulk, didn’t he? When he came on [ v Aston Villa] and scored. I think Trossard will start there.”
Allardyce alluded to Trossard’s muted celebration against Aston Villa when coming off the bench to score with his first touch, backing Arteta to continue to have faith in the 29-year-old.
Martinelli and Leandro Trossard debate is difficult for Arsenal
Arteta has a problem to solve in the position, along with a long list of issues that have hit Arsenal’s squad ahead of the derby.
The Gunners have two exceptional wingers in Trossard and Martinelli however, have two players who offer only a fraction of what’s required at this moment.
You’d have to go back to the 2022/23 campaign to revise the last time that Martinelli was consistently unpredictable on the flank, with Trossard not necessarily providing the answer.
The Belgian is arguably one of Arsenal’s most clinical players however, is not as prolific when starting games as he is when finishing them off the bench.
Arteta struck a perfect balance having Trossard as an assassin to unleash from the bench to execute games but, such does not work as Martinelli is not providing as the starter.
Arsenal have to find a quick resolution to the dilemma, with both Trossard currently in the driving seat to start against Spurs, as per Allardyce’s prediction.
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