Arsenal confirmed team news vs Tottenham: Martin Odegaard misses out

Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are among those that didn't travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Sunday's North London Derby.

Arsenal face their fiercest rivals in an early-season bout aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 campaign. After securing two wins to open the season, the Gunners were controversially held by Brighton before the break after Declan Rice was sent off.

Rice, as a result, is suspended for Sunday's derby, with Mikel Merino also absent after sustaining a shoulder during his first training session with the club.

Odegaard and Calafiori, meanwhile, sustained injuries while away on international duty. Mikel Arteta was keen to keep his cards close to his chest his pre-match presser, but the majority were skeptical over the pair's inclusion for the derby.

Arsenal confirmed team news vs Tottenham: Martin Odegaard misses out

Reports of Odegaard and Calafiori's absences were noted long before the team news dropped 75 minutes before kick-off. Neither player made the short trip down Seven Sisters Road, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is also absent due to a calf injury.

Calafiori is also believed to be dealing with a calf issue, while Odegaard could be out for some time with an ankle sprain.

Gabriel Jesus is fit enough to return to a weak Arsenal bench, with Mikel Arteta opting for a frontline of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Bukayo Saka. Kai Havertz will drop into midfield and operate ahead of a Thomas Partey and Jorginho double pivot. The experienced Italian international will captain the side in N17.

While Arsenal's side remains strong despite multiple absences, the lack of off-the-bench game-changers will concern the manager. The Spaniard does have Jesus and new signing Raheem Sterling to turn to.

The hosts, meanwhile, have gone uber aggressive, potentially sensing a vulnerability within the Gunners ranks. Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison make up two thirds of an attacking midfield that's without Yves Bissouma, while Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven have both returned to the starting XI.

Despite the Gunners' absences, Arsenal have the blueprint for toppling this Tottenham team. Keep it simple: play long, control the transitions, and make the most of set-pieces. Points may well be necessary with trip to the Etihad upcoming.

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