Just moments from kick-off at the Emirates and the starting XIs have a couple of small surprises, one in each of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur's midfields. Whereas most expected Jack Wilshire to start for Arsenal and Wilson Palacios to get the nod for Spurs, each man finds himself on the substitutes bench as the first whistle blows.
Arsenal Vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Denilson, Jermaine Jenas Get Starts In North London Derby
For the Gunners, Denilson gets the nod along side Alexander Song in midfield. The Brazilian, who has spend much of the last year out of the starting lineup, has been impressive in a substitutes role in recent performances. The 22-year-old Brazilian makes his third start of the season.
Less of a surprise but still noteworthy, Laurent Koscielny returns to the starting lineup in Arsenal's central defense. The Frenchman starts along side countryman Sebastian Squillaci, with Johan Djourou moving to the bench.
For Spurs, Harry Redknapp's mysterious usage of Wilson Palacios continues. With Tom Huddlestone beginning a prolonged absence, the Honduran was expected to see more time. However, Palacios continued to be mysteriously excluded by Redknapp, with Jermaine Jenas getting the call along side Luka Modric, leaving Spurs with an obvious lack of protection in front of William Gallas and Younes Kaboul, a second choice central defense pairing forced into today's start.
Gallas is making his first return to The Emirates since his summer switch to Spurs.
Also of note for Spurs, Roman Pavlyuchenko gets the nod at striker over Peter Crouch, who played for England mid-week, while Aaron Lennon's healthy enough to get the start at right win.
Arsenal, Starting XI: Fabianski / Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy / Song, Denilson, Fabregas / Nasri, Chamakh, Arshavin
Spurs, Starting XI: Gomes / Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto / Lennon, Jenas, Modric, Bale / van der Vaart, Pavlyuchenko.
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