[4-3-3]: Viktor Gyokeres starts, Eberechi Eze to debut and Norgaard’s debut- Arsenal predicted lineup against Tottenham Hotspur as Mikel Arteta confirms two new signings will start but in a strange formation
Tottenham could have James Maddison and Dominic Solanke back for their pre-season clash with Arsenal in Hong Kong.
Spurs have flown out for the start of their tour, which will also take them to South Korea for a fixture against Newcastle in Seoul on Sunday.
First though it is a north London derby as Thomas Frank looks for an improved showing from his side.
Spurs played twice in a day on Saturday but did not win either match, drawing 2-2 in a friendly with Wycombe at the training ground before being held to a goalless draw by Luton later in the day.
Maddison has not yet played a part in the pre-season fixtures after suffering a serious knee injury at the end of last season, but he has returned to full training and could feature against the Gunners.
With Spurs expected to be cautious over his return to action, minutes off the bench appear more likely than a start.
Solanke started in the win over Reading earlier this month but a minor ankle injury kept him out last weekend. That was believed to be precautionary.
Mohammed Kudus has impressed in pre-season so far and could potentially be given a more central role. With Maddison not yet at full fitness, Dejan Kulusevski still injured and Mikey Moore not on the tour, Frank is somewhat short of No10 options.
There are no such problems in wide areas, with Mathys Tel, Heung-min Son, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson among those pushing to start.
Destiny Udogie, Kota Takai and Manor Solomon have not travelled due to injury issues, while Moore, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett have been left behind to explore potential loan moves.
Predicted Tottenham XI: Vicaro; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Kudus, Son; Solanke
Injured: Udogie, Dragusin, Takai, Solomon, Kulusevski, Gil
Doubts: Maddison, Solanke
Time and date: Thursday July 31, 12.30pm BST
Venue: Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
Gyokeres has not taken part in any pre-season training this summer as he was on strike at Sporting before joining Arsenal.
“He’s done all the medicals, everything is looking good, but to get him up to speed with the right levels of fitness, I think is very important,” said Mikel Arteta.
“So we’re not going to stop him, we want him with us as quick as possible, but we’ll have to assess, and the medical team will do that.”
Arteta will hope to have Gabriel and Jurrien Timber fit too, after the pair missed Sunday’s win over Newcastle.
Both players have been progressing well after undergoing surgery earlier this year and Arteta was optimistic they could be involved against Spurs.
Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt for the game, however, after he was forced to come off against Newcastle.
The Italian appeared to injure his knee – but Arteta is hopeful that no serious damage has occurred.
“He said that he felt a little tweak, so I don’t know how big it is, but hopefully not,” Arteta said.
Arteta has been rotating players during Arsenal’s friendlies so far, but he may name a strong team for the game with Spurs.
Youngster Max Dowman will hope to get minutes again, however, after starring off the bench against Newcastle.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
