Mikel Arteta faces new Arsenal injury concern as star forced out of Tottenham plan

An Arsenal injury blow for Mikel Arteta has emerged ahead of the clash against Tottenham (Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

It is unclear exactly what the issue is for the 28-year-old but it is certainly a concern given his value to the Gunners. Though he has not played that much this season, largely due to injury problems and of course Jurrien Timber, White is an important member of the squad that Arteta now has to cope without.

Other notable decisions from the Arsenal boss were revealed at 3:15pm with Eberechi Eze, who grabbed a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, starting in midfield.

Arteta had hinted that Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz would be back for the derby , but only the former has made the trip after overcoming a knee issue.

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Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli are others that have been named on the bench after starts in the week with Leandro Trossard coming into the team and Bukayo Saka heading back out to the right in order to accommodate Eze.

Both Trossard and Saka were forced off during the midweek draw against Wolves but have overcome their respective issues to start.

The big news for Tottenham is that Dominic Solanke is on the bench after dealing with a throat issue in the week, as revealed by interim head coach Igor Tudor.

He has been joined by the returning Richarlison with the Brazil international having missed the last few weeks due to injury.

Arsenal are looking to bounce back against Tottenham after dropping points at Wolves (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The heated fixture is a big one for both clubs with Arsenal aiming to re-establish their five-point lead at the top following Manchester City's win over Newcastle on Saturday evening.

A fourth consecutive victory at the home of their rivals will do exactly that and send a clear message after recent struggles. Speaking about the derby on Friday, Arteta said: "It's the one we have after and it's the one that we cannot wait to play.

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"If we could play today, I think we'd all love to play today and to get that feeling that we have in our tummies and use it in the right way. And we have to show on Sunday."

As for Spurs, they find themselves in a relegation battle having won just two of their last 17 Premier League games. They sit four points above the drop zone after West Ham United's draw against Bournemouth.