TalkSPORT pundit Dean Saunders has claimed that Mikel Arteta dangers dropping a big-name member of his Arsenal squad if one factor does not change.
Arsenal making ready for north London derby with out key gamers
The Gunners are making ready to face-off towards Tottenham on Sunday, with Arteta trying to get again to profitable methods on the largest stage after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at house to Brighton a fortnight in the past.
Arsenal journey to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium unbeaten from their opening three Premier League video games, however their 100 per cent report ended by the hands of Brighton on the Emirates, with fierce title rivals Man Metropolis but to drop factors.
Arteta might be determined to come back away from N17 with all three factors after signing a brand-new three-year contract and committing his future to Arsenal, but it surely will not be a simple process for the Spaniard, who has a couple of tactical conundrums staring him within the face.
Arsenal’s subsequent 5 Premier League video games | Date |
|---|---|
Tottenham (away) | September 15 |
Man Metropolis (away) | September 22 |
Leicester Metropolis (house) | September 28 |
Southampton (house) | October 5 |
Bournemouth (away) | October 19 |
Summer time signing Mikel Merino is dominated out by harm, having fractured his shoulder in coaching at London Colney, whereas Declan Rice can even be a sore miss after he picked up two yellow playing cards and was despatched off of their final recreation.
The excellent news for Arsenal is that membership captain Martin Odegaard may truly play towards Tottenham, regardless of preliminary fears that the Norway worldwide can be out for weeks after twisting his ankle on worldwide responsibility.
Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori are in the identical boat, with Arteta stating in his pre-match Arsenal press convention on Friday that each males are contending to be match for the derby, although it is also no assure they will play.
“Gabi was on the market,” stated Arteta on Jesus’ health. “He’s acquired one other session tomorrow and if every part goes effectively he’ll be able to be chosen within the squad which is nice information for us. He’s [Calafiori] one other one the place we’ll have to attend one other day or so.”
It’s nonetheless touch-and-go whether or not Jesus, Calafiori and Odegaard will be capable of begin, however no less than there’s nonetheless an opportunity – going by Arteta’s replace.
Dean Saunders says Gabriel Jesus may resolve to go away Arsenal
If Jesus is prepared, Arteta can have a dilemma on his fingers. Experiences recommend that Raheem Sterling might be performed as a false-nine towards Tottenham, with Kai Havertz relinquishing his favoured place so he can drop into midfield.
This may imply the £265,000-per-week Brazilian is benched for Spurs, as he has typically been within the final 12 months. Ten of Jesus’ 27 league appearances got here off the bench final season, and the previous Man Metropolis star has performed simply 5 Premier League minutes up to now this time period.
Talking to TalkSPORT, by way of The Boot Room, pundit Saunders believes that Jesus may resolve to go away Arsenal if he does not begin getting extra recreation time.
“I preserve considering to myself, how lengthy is Jesus going to place up with not taking part in? I believe he’s a very good footballer. He clearly doesn’t rating sufficient objectives, in any other case he wouldn’t be on the lookout for a striker, however how lengthy is he going to sit down on the bench at Arsenal with out saying, pay attention, sufficient is sufficient? What number of video games is he going to present it?”
The 27-year-old joined from Man Metropolis in 2022 for round £45 million, and has gone to rack up 19 objectives and 15 assists in 70 appearances throughout all competitions.
