Tottenham team news vs Arsenal with four stars battling fitness

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Tottenham return to action at lunchtime on Saturday as they travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal. Spurs are just one point behind their north London rivals, who top the Premier League table, and will leapfrog them if they win. But Spurs boss Antonio Conte has four stars who are battling with fitness issues ahead of the showdown. And Express Sport takes a look at the starting XI the Italian could roll with.

Goalkeeper – Lloris

Hugo Lloris missed both of France’s Nations League matches with a thigh injury during the international break and returned to England early for assessment. If he isn’t ready to take his place between the posts, former Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster would be drafted in for his Spurs debut. But Conte confirmed ahead of the match that Lloris is still in line to start. “We hope to see him on Saturday,” said the 53-year-old.

Defence – Lenglet, Dier, Romero

Ben Davies was a regular starter at the beginning of the campaign but suffered a hairline fracture to the bone just underneath his knee last month. And he is currently on the sidelines.

That means ex-Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet should keep his place in the Tottenham backline for the short trip across north London. The France international could line up alongside Eric Dier and Cristian Romero following their international endeavours with England and Argentina respectively.

Midfield – Royal, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Perisic

Emerson Royal has been Conte’s go-to man at right wing-back this season. And the Brazil international may be given another opportunity to show what he can do against the Gunners. He could provide the width down the right, with Ivan Perisic lining up on the left flank following his excellent displays since his summer move from Inter Milan.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have impressed in the centre of the pitch this season, with their protection of the backline helping their team concede just one goal per game on average in the Premier League. And the duo could partner each another once again at the Emirates Stadium.

Forwards – Richarlison, Kane, Son

Dejan Kulusevski returned to London with a muscle injury after representing Sweden twice over the last week. And he is a major doubt for Saturday’s clash, as is fellow winger Lucas Moura, who hasn’t played since mid-August.

Richarlison could therefore keep his place in the front three after being handed four starts in a row. Son Heung-min, meanwhile, proved his detractors wrong last time out as he came off the bench to bag a hat-trick against Leicester. And the South Korean international should return to the starting team against the Gunners, with England captain Harry Kane leading the frontline.

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