Mikel Arteta teases potential £117m injury boost against Spurs after torrid week
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Arsenal first team stars are facing a race against the clock to be fit for the clash against Spurs.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted at a potential £117 million-valued fitness boost ahead of Sunday's North London derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
It had been panic stations at the Emirates Stadium this week as key stars appeared to have picked up injuries during the international break. The truth behind those lay-offs will only fully emerge when the Gunners boss names his squad tomorrow but the Spaniard has hinted that the situation may not be as severe as first feared.
Arsenal already knew that they would face their fierce rivals without the help of midfielder Declan Rice after the England international picked up a red card against Brighton last time out.
That hole in midfield was worsened by news that club captain Martin Odegaard had picked up an ankle injury while on international duty for Norway against Austria. The 25-year-old, who cost the Gunners £30 million to buy from Real Madrid in 2021, limped off the field with the knock.
It seems likely that Arteta will not be able to select Odegaard this weekend, but the Arsenal boss said: “He is super positive about everything, we know Martin, he wants to be there every single day, but we have to wait and see. With 48 hours until the game, players could always become available, but let’s see what happens.”
Defender Riccardo Calafiori also endured a torrid international break as he picked up an injury while with Italy. The player, who Arsenal paid £42 million for this summer, was substituted in a match against France last Friday.
Speaking about the 22-year-old, Arteta hinted that the player could be available against Spurs: “It’s another one that we have to wait for another day or so.”
A final potential boost comes with news that Gabriel Jesus is on the verge of a return from a groin issue. The former Manchester City £45 million man hasn't played since the opening game of the season but Arteta said: “Gabby was out. He has got another session tomorrow. If everything goes well he will be ready to be selected in the squad, which is great news for us.”