Arsenal vs Tottenham: Arsene Wenger 'trusts' Alexandre Lacazette despite big-game omissions

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is in line to start the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur after Arsene Wenger insisted he does "trust" the club's record signing despite holding him back for the biggest games of the season.

Lacazette joined the Gunners for a club record £52.7m in the summer and though he has scored six goals in nine Premier League starts he has been left on the bench for the visits to Liverpool and Manchester City this season – a decision which has puzzled many.

But Wenger has dropped a strong hint that he will return Lacazette to the starting 11 for the visit of Tottenham after admitting he is spoiled for choice in attack. But with Olivier Giroud missing with a thigh injury and Danny Welbeck not certain to feature the France international is almost certain to start for Arsenal.

"No, not at all," Wenger told the media when asked if he has a lack of faith in Arsenal's record signing. "I have a big choice to make every time, big decisions to make up front," he told the media.

"But he played many games, Alexandre Lacazette. He didn't play away from home at City, I think that is the only game he didn't start.

"I trust him completely. The decision is not made yet [on whether he starts on Sunday] but it is a possibility because he is available."

Giroud suffered a thigh problem while on international duty with France and is unavailable while Webeck – who missed England's double-header against Germany and Brazil – will have a fitness test to determine whether he is ready to return from a groin strain.

Shkodran Mustafi will also have a fitness test having missed eight games with a hamstring problem, while David Ospina is available again but is not expected to dislodge number one Petr Cech. Calum Chambers is also fit after a hip problem.

"Giroud picked up an injury, I don't think he will be available," the Arsenal boss added. "It's short term, we have to assess him on Monday.

"We have some people coming in today like [Alex] Iwobi, we don't know where they stand. We'll have medical checks today.

"Mustafi will have the final check tomorrow. Welbeck as well. We will make the decision on them tomorrow."

Santi Cazorla's long-term achillies injury means he remains out. The Spaniard admitted during the international break that he almost had to have his right foot amputated after the injury became infected but Wenger remains hopeful he will play again.

"It is the worst injury I have known, starting with a little pain on achilles and it has gone worse and worse," said Wenger.

"I know how much Santi Cazorla loves to play football and how much he wants to be out there. It is unbelievable what has happened to him. I saw him a month ago, he has competent medical people around him and I hope he comes back. I hope he will be available in January."

Fresh reports on Thursday [15 November] have again linked Jack Wilshere with a move away from Arsenal, with La Liga side Real Betis the latest club to have an interest in the England international. Wilshere has not started a Premier League game this season but Wenger says he is close to a recall.

"To keep fit and work hard," he said of Wilshere. "He's on a plan. He's very close. It's just a question for me to start him, he's ready to play."