Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confronts one of his most challenging team selection dilemmas of the season ahead of Sunday's crucial North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
Defensive Crisis Looms for Gunners
The Premier League leaders face significant injury concerns throughout their squad, with central defender Gabriel Magalhães expected to miss the fixture entirely. The Brazilian international sustained a worrying thigh injury during international duty, ironically during a friendly match played at Arsenal's home ground.
While goalkeeper David Raya and defender William Saliba remain certain starters, the remainder of Arsenal's defensive unit faces uncertainty. Full-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber both picked up knocks while representing Italy and Netherlands respectively, though both are anticipated to be available for selection.
Arteta must now decide between Cristhian Mosquera or Piero Hincapie to fill the considerable void left by Gabriel's absence, with Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly providing additional coverage if required.
Midfield and Attack Concerns
The injury worries extend beyond defence, with captain Martin Ødegaard's fitness remaining in doubt. The Norwegian playmaker admitted his recent injury meant international duty came "too early" for his return, leaving his availability for the derby uncertain.
Should Ødegaard be unavailable, Eberechi Eze stands ready to continue in the attacking midfield role after impressive performances during the captain's absence. The England international has provided Arteta with a reliable alternative in advanced positions.
Further forward, striker Viktor Gyökeres represents another significant concern after missing matches before the international break. Arteta has yet to confirm the Swedish forward's availability, potentially forcing a reshuffle in Arsenal's attacking options.
Predicted Lineup and Substitutes
Despite the injury crisis, Arsenal remain favourites for the 16:30 GMT kickoff, bolstered by their formidable home record and recent dominance in this fixture. However, the absence of key personnel introduces an element of unpredictability to the encounter.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are expected to maintain their partnership, providing stability amidst the surrounding uncertainty. The wide areas should feature Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, with Mikel Merino potentially deputising should Gyökeres fail to recover in time.
The substitutes' bench could feature returning players including Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, offering Arteta significant firepower if required during the match.
Arsenal's predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Saliba, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Merino.
