Tottenham should drop Erik Lamela against Arsenal

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Tottenham are currently preparing for their North London showdown with Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League and all eyes will be on manager Mauricio Pochettino to see how he sets his team up.

Spurs travel to the Emirates Stadium to face their bitter rivals and could do with a win going into the international break, as they have four points so far in their opening three league games and go into the contest off the back of losing to Newcastle United.

Erik Lamela has started all three league games this campaign, but Pochettino should leave him out for the first time this season away to Arsenal.

The left-footed attacker was extremely clinical with a goal and an assist in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City, but has turned in fairly average displays against Aston Villa and Newcastle.

His time with Spurs can be summed up with the phrase inconsistent and you never know if the world-beater version of Lamela will turn up, or the one that goes invisible in matches.

Pochettino should leave Lamela out against Arsenal, especially as the Telegraph reports that Dele Alli is fit enough to make his return.

Christian Eriksen is another option that can drop into the number 10 role behind striker Harry Kane and both look safer bets than the risky Lamela.

Lamela would be a decent weapon to have up Pochettino’s sleeve from the bench, but his inconsistency means he should be dropped with Alli or Eriksen replacing him.

The 27-year-old Argentine is also a liability that could get caught up with the high tempers of a North London derby and does have ill-discipline.