Former Premier League midfielder Darren Ambrose believes that three Tottenham players would waltz into Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal starting line-up. According to the 39-year-old, even captain Martin Odegaard’s place would be at risk if the two sides combined their starting XIs.

Spurs and the Gunners both went into the international break two points behind table-toppers Manchester City. In Arsenal’s case, that was no surprise, having run the Sky Blues close in the title race last season.

By comparison, Tottenham’s fast start under Ange Postecoglou has raised eyebrows. The Londoners are firing on all cylinders under the ex-Celtic boss, with three stars in particular impressing Ambrose.

The former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace ace believes that James Maddison, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie would all start for Arsenal as things stand, which would see a selection of big names drop to the bench.

“I think Maddison gets in [over Odegaard],” he told talkSPORT. “Maddison is arguably the best player in the Premier League at the moment. We are talking current form right now. On current form, Maddison gets in over Odegaard.

“Last season, Odegaard, of course. But this season, the way Maddison is going, he is one of three players, since the start of last season, that has scored ten and assisted ten.

The Gunners then have a European tie to contend with before they face off with bitter rivals Spurs on September 24. The Lilywhites are faced with no such distractions this campaign after finishing outside the qualification spots in 2022/23.

The way the season is shaping up, Postecoglou’s side will be able to place their full focus on the Premier League, having crashed out of the Carabao Cup with a penalty-shootout defeat to Fulham last month.