Have Arsenal ever been this prepared for a North London derby? With 12 wins in their last 14 games it appears not, and now Wenger has provided a massive boost.
We brought you the news earlier this morning that Arsene Wenger was prepared to welcome back FOUR Gunners to face Tottenham who travel down the road this Sunday.
And it appears there’s good reason to be happy if you’re an Arsenal fan, with Theo Walcott and Hector Bellerin looking like definite’s to return to the starting XI.
During his pre-match press conference Wenger stated that he’s certain the duo would come round in time after he left them both at home during the mid-week trip to Ludogrets.
They were joined by Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal who have both picked up fitness concerns in recent weeks, leaving Wenger with no choice but to rest them.
The latest we’re hearing is that the Spanish duo will have late scans ahead of Sunday, but I wouldn’t put my money on them both starting for several factors.
Wenger has already showed us he’s unwilling to rush players back to action, and having seen Kieran Gibbs do so well when thrown in at the deep end there will be no pressure to rotate.
Cazorla is where my concern is though, but with Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka now back we have a great chance to play a midfield duo that can add to our attack.
Despite a shaky run of fixtures in recent weeks, Tottenham remain the only side in the Premier League to boast an unbeaten record, having conceded just five goals also.
They might be sitting pretty in fifth place but it’s a whole different story in the Champions League, and Mauricio Pochettino could have some big absentees this weekend.
Toby Alderweild, Erik Lamela and Harry Kane were all missing from the squad that lost to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, and Moussa Demebele is the latest to hit the injury books.
We’re looking at two sides who have finally managed to find a bit more depth across each position, but with so many players to choose from Wenger definitely has the upper hand.
Xhaka will want to come in and find his place in the side waiting for him after serving a three match suspension, it’s his form and Coquelin’s high aggression levels that give him the advantage of starting.
Stick with Fresh Arsenal throughout the week on Twitter @Fresh_Arsenal to keep up to date with all of the latest ahead of what promises to be another memorable North London derby!