Arsene Wenger’s in-form side head into North London showdown in high spirits
ARSENAL look set to head into Sunday’s North London derby with Tottenham all guns blazing.
Arsene Wenger’s in-form side are now 15 matches unbeaten in all competitions and are hot favourites for the lunchtime showdown with sorry Spurs.
Maurico Pochettino’s men are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League but they have failed to win any of their last six matches and look short on confidence.
They have only one once at the Emirates – a 3-2 victory back in November 2010 when goals from Gareth Bale, Raphael van der Vaart and Younes Kaboul saw them fight back from 2-0 down.
And that was their first win in their rivals’ territory for 17 years.
The Gunners will welcome back speedy right-back Hector Bellerin, who sat out Arsenal’s 3-2 Champions League win over Ludogrets on Tuesday.
Theo Walcott has made good progress on a hamstring injury and resumed training, while Nacho Monreal is expected to recover from a muscle pull.
Santi Cazorla is also a major concern as he is still carrying an Achilles injury.
Lucas Perez, Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are long-term casualties, while Kieran Gibss will miss out with a bad shoulder.
Wenger said: “Bellerin has a test. I left him behind in midweek because I was cautious with him.
I think he should be all right.
“Kieran Gibbs is a doubt with a shoulder injury. I don’t know how will respond to that. I will see today.
“After, the players who did not travel like Cazorla, Monreal, Walcott – there is still some uncertainty today.
“The closest to coming back looks to be Walcott. We will have a test with him.”
