Ally McCoist Claims Tottenham Defender Would Replace Gabriel in Arsenal’s Lineup
Arsenal and Tottenham Showcase Stark Contrasts in Style and Form
Arsenal are aiming to contend for the Premier League title once again this season, while Tottenham currently find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
However, the differences between the two sides extend beyond just results.
The teams also showcase contrasting styles of play.
Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, have adopted an all-out attacking approach, which has sometimes drawn criticism for leaving them vulnerable defensively.
In contrast, Arsenal’s style is more pragmatic, leading to comparisons between Mikel Arteta and former manager Tony Pulis.
Defensively, Arsenal have the edge over Tottenham. However, Ally McCoist believes there is one Spurs defender who could make Arsenal’s starting lineup.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the north London derby, McCoist shared his combined XI featuring players from both teams.
According to him, Micky van de Ven would start for Arsenal in place of Gabriel Magalhães.
Van de Ven has earned widespread acclaim since joining Tottenham, although Gabriel is a highly regarded defender in his own right.
Nonetheless, McCoist believes the Dutchman’s performances warrant a place in Arsenal’s team.
When constructing his combined XI, McCoist wasn’t overly generous to Tottenham. Besides Van de Ven, only Heung-Min Son made the lineup.
Other notable Spurs players, such as Dejan Kulusevski, were left out, though Martin Keown included Kulusevski in his version of the combined team.
On paper, McCoist clearly views Arsenal as the stronger side.
However, north London derbies are unpredictable, and form often goes out the window in such heated encounters.
Despite this, Arsenal’s recent dominance over Tottenham cannot be overlooked.
The Gunners haven’t lost to their rivals since 2022, and they’ll aim to extend their unbeaten streak on Wednesday evening at the Emirates.
Whether the match aligns with McCoist’s assessment or delivers an unexpected twist remains to be seen, but Arsenal’s recent form and superior defensive record give them a clear advantage heading into the clash.
