Just ONE Tottenham player is named in Martin Keown’s combined XI ahead of the north London derby as Arsenal legend backs his former side – but who makes the cut?

Former Arsenal defender and Mail Sport’s own Martin Keown has named just one Tottenham player in his combined XI ahead of the north London derby.

The Gunners will host Spurs in the latest edition of one of the Premier League‘s fiercest derbies on Wednesday night, with Mikel Arteta‘s side looking to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points on Tuesday.

The Premier League leaders drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, meaning they are currently seven points ahead of Arsenal in the title race with the same number of games played.

Arsenal have the chance to cut that lead to four points in the derby, though will have played a game more than Arne Slot‘s men. Liverpool’s game in hand is against Everton and will be played next month.

Ahead of kick off at the Emirates, Keown, who was part of Arsenal’s Invincibles side that won the Premier League unbeaten in 2004, was asked by TNT Sports to pick between an Arsenal and Tottenham player in each position to make his ultimate combined XI.

The former defender picked his side one by one, and ended up picking just one Spurs player – clearly backing his former side to get the job done in the game.

Keown was asked to pick one player from two options to created a combined XI from the teams

Former Arsenal defender Keown was evidently backing his ex-side to get the job done in game

In the video shared on social media, Keown was first off asked to pick between David Raya and Guglielmo Vicario in goal. He chose the Spaniard, with the choice between Ben White and Pedro Porro at right back up next.

Keown chose White, and that pattern continued into the rest of the back four, with the veteran also choosing William Salbia ahead of Cristian Romero and Gabriel over Micky van De Ven, branding Saliba ‘a different class’.

Jurrien Timber was also chosen over Destiny Udogie at left back, with Keown explaining: ‘I like Timber, he’s had a really good season.

In midifled, Declan Rice was picked over Yves Bissouma, with Keown adding: ‘Rice always gets in my team.’

It was then elsewhere in midfield where the Tottenham player got the nod. With Mikel Merino versus Dejan Kulusevski pithed to Keown, he said: ‘Kulusevski, probably the one Tottenham player that deserves to be in the Arsenal XI.’

And it proved so. Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard was picked ahead of James Maddison, Saka chosen ‘all day long’ ahead of Brennan Johnson, and Kai Havertz selected over Dominic Solanke.

On Odegaard, Keown said: ‘I like Maddison, [Ange] Postecoglou should use him more but Odegaard is a different class,’ while on Havert he added: ‘He’s one of our most underrated players.’

On the left of attack, Gabriel Martinelli was chosen over Spurs skipper Son Heung-min.

Both Bukayo Saka (left) and Martin Odegaard (right) were also selected in the combined team

Gabriel Martinelli (pictured) was preferred to Son Heung-min on the left of Keown’s team

There were no places for Dominic Solanke (left) or James Maddison (right) in the side

Arsenal players, meanwhile, are planning a touching tribute to stricken injured team-mate Gabriel Jesus ahead of their clash against arch-rivals Tottenham on Wednesday night.

Mail Sport can reveal Mikel Arteta’s players have discussed the idea of wearing specially designed shirts ahead of this evening’s derby showdown.

It is understood the shirts would carry Jesus’ name, his squad number 9 and a get well soon message.

Jesus is a hugely popular member of the squad at the Emirates and news of his anterior cruciate ligament injury has rocked the squad.