Palhinha And Kolo Muani To Start | 3-4-3 Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup Vs Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Arsenal to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday determined to rebound from last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Newcastle United and reignite their North London derby fortunes. With Igor Tudor contemplating a tactical shuffle, the Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha and on-loan Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani are poised to be thrust into the starting XI as Spurs line up in a 3-4-3 system designed to frustrate the Gunners.

Between the posts, Guglielmo Vicario retains his place after a two-goal concession at St James’ Park and will hope for greater protection from a reshaped back three. Palhinha, more commonly recognised as a holding midfielder, is expected to drop into central defence alongside Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin, adding ballast and positional intelligence to a rearguard charged with blunting Arsenal’s fluid attack. Souza will provide cover from the bench should Tudor require fresh legs at the back.

In midfield, Pape Matar Sarr and Conor Gallagher will sit in front of the defensive line, tasked with disrupting Arsenal’s build-up play and launching quick counters. The wide areas will be patrolled by academy graduate Djed Spence on the left and teenage prospect Archie Gray on the right; both will be encouraged to push high and provide width in the final third. Yves Bissouma, left out of the first XI, offers an experienced option later in the contest.

Further forward, Xavi Simons is set to start on the left wing, looking to exploit pockets of space and link with Dominic Solanke, who spearheads the attack. Kolo Muani, handed a rare start, will operate from the right flank but is expected to drift inside to combine with Solanke and create overloads. Mathys Tel, available off the bench, could be called upon if Spurs need a late spark.

Tudor’s selection signals intent: solidity through the middle, energy on the flanks, and pace on the break. With derby pride and precious league points on the line, Tottenham’s re-jigged XI will aim to turn home advantage into a statement victory over their fiercest rivals.

Tottenham predicted XI (3-4-3): Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Gray, Gallagher, Sarr, Spence; Kolo Muani, Solanke, Simons.