Here is the Tottenham Hotspur team that Ange Postecoglou has selected for his first ever North London Derby as he’s made one big decision
Ange Postecoglou has named his starting XI for the North London Derby and handed Brennan Johnson his first start for Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s a big game for Nottingham Forest’s £47.5m signing and their Australian head coach as they head into a raucous derby at Emirates Stadium. This will be a major test of the positive early work Postecoglou has done with his young Tottenham side as they take on Mikel Arteta’s title hopes.
Richarlison probably thought he would get the nod after his goal and late assist against Sheffield United, but it was Johnson who Postecoglou was aiming for, perhaps with his pace in an attempt to cause trouble for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Johnson plays on the left with Dejan Kulusevski taking up his place on the right after his winner last weekend. Captain Son Heung-min plays through the centre of the pitch against the Arsenal defence.
At the back, Postecoglou relies on a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie, who will have to deal with the attacking threat of Bukayo Saka.
The midfield is still the trio of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison for a great battle in the midfield at Emirates Stadium. Young summer recruit Alejo Veliz is on the bench.
Giovani Lo Celso, Bryan Gil, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur remain unavailable for selection.
Here is the Spurs team Ange Postecoglou has selected:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Son, Johnson. Subs: Forster, Emerson, Davies, Dier, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Solomon, Richarlison, Veliz.
