The North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur is facing a major selection crisis ahead of Sunday's Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium, with a staggering 19 players potentially unavailable for the highly anticipated fixture.
Gunners Defensive Blow
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal squad has been particularly hard hit, with Gabriel Magalhaes ruled out for several weeks after sustaining a thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil. The defender faces a scan next Wednesday to determine the exact timeline for his recovery.
Adding to Arsenal's defensive worries, Italian youngster Riccardo Calafiori is also doubtful after picking up a hip injury during the international break. Arteta confirmed the player hasn't trained yet and his availability will depend on his fitness ahead of Sunday's match.
There is some potential positive news for the Gunners, with Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli all potentially returning to action. However, Arteta remained cautious about their involvement, stating the medical staff are working to bring them back as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz appears to have suffered a setback in his recovery, with Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann suggesting the forward might not return until December.
Spurs Injury Updates
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank delivered a more optimistic assessment of his squad's fitness situation, despite potentially having up to 13 players sidelined.
Mohammed Kudus is expected to be available after returning to training, while Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Randal Kolo Muani have also been declared fit. Kolo Muani will need to wear a protective mask if he features in the match.
The recovery news continues for Spurs with Archie Gray, Kota Takai and Ben Davies all back in training and potentially available for selection. Radu Dragusin is also nearing a return after featuring for the academy side to regain match fitness.
However, Dominic Solanke remains unavailable, with Frank emphasising caution to ensure the striker doesn't suffer any setbacks upon his return. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma continue their rehabilitation and won't feature in Sunday's derby.
Derby Day Implications
The extensive injury lists for both clubs could significantly impact team selection and tactics for one of the Premier League's most fiercely contested rivalries. With so many key players potentially missing, both managers face challenging decisions as they prepare their squads for this crucial encounter.
Arteta and Frank will be hoping their available players can rise to the occasion in what promises to be another dramatic chapter in North London Derby history, despite the unprecedented number of absences affecting both sides.
