Arsenal vs Tottenham: Predicted line-ups, score prediction, how to watch - full list key players that are injured for North London derby
Arsenal welcome Tottenham to the Emirates on Sunday for the first North London derby of the season.
The Gunners return from the international break top of the Premier League table, four points clear of Manchester City after an eight-match unbeaten run. A 2-2 draw at Sunderland last time out halted their winning streak, with a stoppage-time equaliser denying them another three points.
Tottenham sit five places back but arrive with momentum of their own. They have the joint-best away record in the league and remain unbeaten on the road.
Arsenal vs Tottenham kicks off at 16:30 (UK) on Sunday, November 23, at the Emirates Stadium. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Arsenal expected line-up
(4-3-3) Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Eze, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Merino
Tottenham expected line-up
(4-3-3) Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Sarr, Johnson; Simons, Odobert, Richarlison
Arsenal vs Tottenham predictions
Arsenal will expect a response after the slip at Sunderland, but their injury list leaves Arteta short of stability in key areas. Losing Gabriel removes both a defensive presence and key set-piece threat.
Tottenham arrive with issues of their own, yet their away form has been the defining strength of their season. Frank’s side have looked far sharper on the road than at home and carry a composure that often suits this fixture.
This has the feel of a tight derby rather than a chaotic one. Arsenal’s set-piece edge is significant, but Spurs’ counter-attacking threat is worth keeping an eye on. Score prediction: Arsenal to win, 2-0.
Arsenal injury news
Arsenal’s highest-profile injury worry ahead of the match has undoubtedly been Gabriel, who injured his thigh while away on international duty with Brazil and has now been confirmed as out for a number of “weeks” by Mikel Arteta. Whether he will be back before Christmas is currently unknown, but the Gunners’ colossus at the back will be a major miss.
With Gabriel the only Arsenal player confirmed to be out, Arteta will be sweating on the returns of no less than eight players who are currently a doubt for Sunday. All of Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli were targeting a return after the international break and while Arteta confirmed the quintet are doing well in their recoveries in his press conference on Friday, he did not expand on which players are set to be available for selection from the group.
In addition, Arteta praised Gabriel Jesus as his recovery from an ACL injury comes towards a close, with the Brazilian training with the first team “for the last almost two weeks”. Whether Sunday comes too soon for him remains to be seen, but a place amongst the substitutes may not be out of the question.
Meanwhile, in-form full-back duo Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber both picked up knocks during the international break and currently remain doubts for the weekend, though neither is believed to have a serious injury and both will hope to start.
Tottenham injury news
Spurs were given a massive boost during Frank’s latest press conference when the Dane revealed that Randal Kolo Muani, Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall are all fit and “available” following recent injury concerns. Mohammed Kudus is also expected to return after missing the last two matches, but remains a doubt for now. Ben Davies, Archie Gray and Kota Takai are also doubts, having trained with the team but may not quite be ready for involvement at the weekend.
Spurs remain without five players who will be out for the derby, including long-term absentees James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin, the latter of whom returned to friendly action over the break. Yves Bissouma is also expected to remain on the sidelines, while Dominic Solanke is not yet ready for a return to action, as confirmed by Frank.
"Dom is not ready yet,” said Frank. “I think he also had an article recently where he spoke about it. So we are very, as I said, the same. Very aware that when we put him out there, we want to be absolutely sure, as sure as we can be, that no setback going forward. So I'm comfortable he will soon be ready, but I will not put a timeframe on it."