Confirmed Arsenal starting XI for North London derby: Ben White on the bench but Bukayo Saka starts

Mikel Arteta has named a strong team for tonight’s North London derby with the Arsenal manager looking to take all three points and seal Champions League football for next season.

There had been doubts over the fitness of forward Bukayo Saka and defender Ben White but both have made it to North London with Saka starting and White on the bench.

Arsenal’s push for Champions League football looked to have fallen away last month after defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton but Mikel Arteta has turned things around with four straight victories since.

The victories against Manchester United and Chelsea in the same week look to have been golden with the Gunners particularly impressive since then despite injuries to some of their players.

Arteta has proven that he is manager who can get results from this group of players at a time the club needs it the most.

When they lost both Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney, it looked like they would run out of tape but their response to adversity is evidence of a team fighting for something bigger and better this season.

The signing of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, the unspoken leader of the team has transformed the mentality with his all out energy and desire to always go an extra mile to get results.

Arsenal have finished behind Tottenham in the last couple of seasons and they will hope to get one over their North London rivals and most importantly get that important  Champions League spot that their fans so desire.