The North London Derby is upon us, and many people are making their combined lineups featuring players from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners are currently the superior side and have been for a few years now. They are historically the more dominant team in this fixture as well.
That is why Arsenal players dominate these combined lineups, but there is a major issue in Alan Shearer’s version ahead of the game on Sunday.
Alan Shearer snubs William Saliba in his Arsenal and Tottenham combined XI
Arsenal star William Saliba is one of the best defenders in the world.
The Frenchman has been incredible for the Gunners since he made his debut in 2022, and he continues to get better year on year.
Saliba is one of the first names on the team sheet every week at Arsenal, and he has become undroppable for the French national team as well.
Yet, Shearer has left him out of his North London Derby combined lineup on the Metro and has chosen Micky van de Ven instead.
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The Dutchman is a very good defender; there’s no debate there. But he is nowhere near the level of Saliba, who has been named in the PFA Team of the Year three years in a row.
Even this season, when Saliba has been on the pitch, Arsenal have conceded just three goals in 15 games, which shows just how brilliant he is.
Van de Ven, on the other hand, has played 16 games in all competitions this term, and he has let in 14 goals, which is an awful record.
That’s enough evidence to tell you that in no world does Van de Ven get into the team ahead of Saliba. Shearer’s decision on that front makes no sense.
Shearer’s Arsenal vs Tottenham combined XI: Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Van de Ven, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Do you agree with our Arsenal vs Tottenham combined XI?
William Saliba and Micky van de Ven’s records in North London Derbies are the complete opposite
Van de Ven will have the chance to prove Shearer right when Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.
If the Dutchman produces an incredible performance and helps his side beat the Gunners, he could argue that he is on Saliba’s level.
However, so far, Van de Ven’s record against Arsenal is terrible.
As the table shows above, Van de Ven has never won a game against Arsenal, while Saliba has never lost one when he has come up against Tottenham.
This is further proof that the Arsenal man is in a league of his own when compared to Van de Ven or any other Spurs defender.