Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has named his starting line-up for today’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The Gunners are currently top of the league standings with 77 points, but they are only one ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Hence, the club need to keep on winning to stay in the title pursuit. Ahead of today’s derby on the road, Arteta has stuck with the same XI from the last outing.

David Raya continues between the sticks with Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu forming the backline for the manager.

In midfield, Thomas Partey has got the nod alongside Declan Rice. The Ghanaian made his first league start of the year against Chelsea where he was brilliant.

Further forward, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard will continue from the wide attacking positions with captain Martin Odegaard playing as the number 10.

Up front, Kai Havertz will start once more on the back of scoring a brace against his former employers.

In his pre-match presser, Arteta said that Jurrien Timber was ‘very close’ to a return after a long-term knee injury, but the Dutchman has not made the matchday squad.

The Gunners are likely to handle him with extra caution after the lengthy lay-off and he could be involved in some capacity in the next league game against Bournemouth.

Confirmed Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Tottenham: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Havertz.