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Arsenal forced into making unusual change vs Tottenham for the first time in 38 years

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Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are set to meet in the first North London derby of the season after the international break.

Both teams head into the clash off the back of disappointing results in gameweek three as the Gunners dropped points at home to Brighton and Spurs lost at Newcastle.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked in control of the game until Declan Rice was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away and the Seagulls managed to find an equaliser.

Meanwhile, Tottenham also looked like they were going to beat Newcastle, however, they were far too wasteful in front of goal and Alexander Isak took full advantage of their high line.

Even at this early stage in the season, this fixture is massive, as Ange Postecoglou will be hoping his team can finally kick start their season whilst Arsenal face a massive few weeks also travelling to Man City away.

This North London derby will have a different look to it as the visitors have been forced to make a change that hasn’t happened in 38 years.

Aston Villa FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal to wear away kit in North London derby for first in 38 years

For the first time in almost four decades, Arsenal will travel to N17 wearing their away colours. This is because the Premier League and PGMOL have deemed that their home strip features too much white and clashes with the hosts’ home shirt.

Arsenal will now wear their black away kits for the clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – which they also wore when they defeated Aston Villa. Tottenham will wear their away kit at the Emirates Stadium when the two clubs meet again in January.

The 1985/86 season was the last time Arsenal wore their away kit in the derby and they lost 1-0 at White Hart Lane.

How Tottenham could line-up vs Arsenal

Tottenham will be hopeful of having a nearly fully fit squad with Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven expected to be fit for the derby.

Yves Bissouma limped off with a minor injury for Mali, however, he is likely to be fit for the game against Arsenal.

The Gunners have not had such good news as they will be without the suspended Declan Rice, Mikel Merino is injured and now Martin Odegaard could also miss the game.

Possible Tottenham line-up vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bissouma, Maddison, Bentancur; Son, Kulusevski, Solanke.