As Arsenal gears up for the highly anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham this weekend, Mikel Arteta is facing challenges with player fitness, particularly as four stars were missing from the club’s latest training session. The Gunners are looking to bounce back from a disappointing spell, having secured only two wins in their last seven outings and dropped points in their last two matches.
Despite this setback, Arteta received some good news ahead of the clash. Key winger Bukayo Saka proved to be fit after concerns surrounding his exit from the match against Wolves, where he played an integral role. Similarly, while Leandro Trossard was not present in the training images—possibly due to a significant blow to his jaw—Arteta has clarified that he will not need to undergo concussion protocols.
Among those potentially returning to the squad is young talent Max Dowman, who has been sidelined for two months due to an ankle injury. Arteta expressed optimism about Dowman’s recovery, stating that he could resume training soon, which is encouraging for Arsenal fans.
However, the team is still grappling with injuries to other crucial players, including Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz. While Arteta mentioned that it is “a big possibility” for both to return in time for the derby, their absence from recent training photos casts uncertainty on their status. Mikel Merino has already been ruled out for a longer period due to a foot injury requiring surgery.
In contrast, Tottenham also faces its own set of challenges as several key players, including Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, Kevin Danso, and Pedro Porro, are expected to miss the match due to injuries. Club captain Cristian Romero’s suspension adds to Spurs’ woes, though they will welcome back Richarlison, who was a standout performer in the previous encounter between the two sides.
As the stage is set for a fierce showdown, Arsenal will be hoping to reclaim their form and secure a pivotal victory against their rivals. With both teams facing injury concerns, the outcome of this match could shift the momentum heading into the latter part of the season. Fans from both sides are sure to be eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying derby.