Arsenal’s squad suddenly looks quite depleted ahead of the north London derby on Sunday after Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori joined the Gunners’ growing injury list.
Captain Odegaard was forced off the pitch with a suspected ankle injury during Norway’s Nations League match with Austria, with head coach Stale Solbakken explaining: “Martin Odegaard’s injury looked bad in the dressing room as well.”
Calafiori similarly had to be taken off during Italy’s clash with France after a painful calf injury, forcing him to return to England for treatment in the hope of competing against Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta has already been forced to go to battle without Declan Rice after his controversial red card against Brighton last time out, as Express Sport takes a look at how Arsenal could line up without three key players.
Three-quarters of Arteta’s preferred back four are a staple and although William Saliba and Gabriel went away with France and Brazil respectively, the centre-back pairing and Ben White are certain to start away to Tottenham.
Calafiori’s injury has opened the door for Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the Italian in a race against time to prove his fitness in order to go up against the likes of Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski or Wilson Odobert on that flank.
Given Arsenal face a challenging test away from home, Arteta is likely to prefer the defensive and tactical nous that Timber provides over Zinchenko’s ability on the ball.
The Ukrainian has a chance to step into midfield following the absences of Rice and Odegaard, but he has not played that role in some time in the Premier League and Arteta is likely to opt for others.
Midfield: Partey, Jorginho, Havertz
A much-changed Arsenal midfield could line up against Spurs if Odegaard is ruled out and forced to sit on the sidelines with the suspended Rice.
Jorginho came into the team on such occasions last season and could form a pivot with Thomas Partey, a slight change to the 4-3-3 shape that has seen Rice play further advanced than the Ghanaian.
Kai Havertz has thrived as a striker under Arteta but may have to return to a familiar midfield role in Odegaard’s absence, with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri unlikely to be thrown straight into the deep end.
Attack: Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Havertz would likely sit much higher up the pitch than Jorginho and Partey, in a potential second-striker role, off of Gabriel Jesus if the Brazilian can prove his fitness in time.
Arteta confirmed that Jesus would be available “pretty soon” before the international break, but Gabriel Martinelli could lead the line if he has not recovered in time.
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FOOTBALLNational media drools over Tottenham defender Ben Daviesby stevenmangan 10 September 2024
Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies produced a fantastic performance for Wales, as they won 2-1 against Montenegro away from home.
The Spurs defender started the game and produced a “superb” defensive display to hand Craig Bellamy his first win as a Wales manager.
Early goals from Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson sealed the victory in the Nations League. It was a tough weather condition where torrential rain made it difficult for the players to stay on the pitch, let alone play football.
Wales Online was heavily impressed with Davies’ performance and said the Spurs defender was “solid” at the back. They have given him an 8/10 rating.
The media publication wrote: “Another really good performance. Defensively so solid again. Made a superb intervention on the line early on.”
Ben Davies still a key player for Tottenham Hotspur
Davies is one of the senior players at Spurs who is in his 10th season at the north London club.
The 31-year-old versatile defender has always been a great team player, and he is a model professional.
Davies has only 12 months left on his contract, and it will be interesting to see if he will be offered a new deal. Ange Postecoglou could keep him on a rolling basis as he is still an influential player in the dressing room.
This season, he has yet to play for Spurs in the Premier League, but his impressive performance for Wales could force Postecoglou to give him game time in the upcoming games.
Nevertheless, Bellamy will be happy to have a player of his calibre in his team, who always maintains a top-level consistency for his country.
Davies made 19 appearances in all competitions last season. He can play as a left-back as well as a centre-back. Spurs have enough options in the centre-back areas, while Davies is behind Destiny Udogie in the pecking order at left-back areas.
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