Arsenal’s head coach, Mikel Arteta, has shed light on the squad’s status as they prepare to face Tottenham in the highly anticipated North London Derby.
Both teams enter the weekend tied with 13 points each, having enjoyed strong starts to the season.
Despite their promising form, both squads are grappling with injury concerns.
Arsenal will be without the services of Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber, dealing a blow to their midfield stability.
Meanwhile, Tottenham has suffered a significant setback with the loss of Ivan Perisic to a serious injury.
One name that continues to be a cause for concern is Gabriel Martinelli, who was forced to exit the field during the clash against Everton due to a hamstring issue.
Arteta, speaking during the week, acknowledged the problem and indicated that further assessments were necessary.
Although the Arsenal manager did not definitively rule Martinelli out, he emphasized the need for additional tests before determining the young Brazilian’s availability for the upcoming match against PSV.
During the pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta confirmed Thomas Partey’s absence for the Tottenham showdown, saying, “Yes.”
However, he remained cryptic regarding Martinelli’s status, stating, “With Gabby, we are still assessing him. So let’s see if he can make the game or not.”
Arteta, known for his discretion when it comes to team news, is keen to maintain an element of unpredictability, keeping Tottenham guessing about Martinelli’s potential involvement.
While specifics remain elusive, the fact that Martinelli has not been definitively ruled out provides a glimmer of hope for Arsenal supporters.
As the North London Derby approaches, the injury landscape for both teams adds an intriguing layer of uncertainty to an already highly charged fixture.
With Martinelli’s status hanging in the balance, fans on both sides will eagerly await further updates in the lead-up to the match, hoping for the best for their respective teams.
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