Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be forced to field a hotchpotch midfield for Sunday’s North London derby away to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
As well as Declan Rice‘s controversial suspension and Mikel Merino‘s freak shoulder injury, the Gunners have now lost influential captain Martin Odegaard to an ankle sprain, which is expected to sideline him for at least three weeks.
Arteta refused to rule Odegaard out on Friday, but he is set to be working with a second-choice engine room for Sunday’s fiery battle, which will no doubt be anchored by Thomas Partey and also feature the experienced Jorginho.
Kai Havertz is seemingly the most likely candidate to play the Odegaard role this weekend, although that may hinge on Gabriel Jesus recovering from a groin injury in time to spearhead the attack, which is thought to be possible.
The Brazilian would start in between Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka – a potential stand-in captain – if that is the case, although Leandro Trossard and debutant Raheem Sterling are alternative attacking options.
Arsenal’s injury concerns are not limited to the engine room, as Riccardo Calafiori hurt his calf on international duty, while Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are also sidelined.
STREAM LINKS >>> Stream 1 Stream 2 Stream 3
However, Arteta will still be able to put out a first-choice backline, as David Raya is shielded by William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber and Ben White.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Jorginho; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
