Mikel Arteta has been on a rollercoaster of emotions over the past two weeks.
First, Declan Rice’s red card decision left him furious at the inconsistencies referees in the Premier League have been showing.
Just as the Spaniard calmed down and started preparations for the North London derby, Martin Odegaard went down under a challenge from an Austrian player and was substituted.
Charles Watts has an update for Arsenal fans ahead of the Tottenham clash after being told about Gabriel Jesus‘ current situation…
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Emirates Stadium o...
There was hope he’d be fit for the North London derby, especially with news that Kai Havertz may drop into midfield to replace Odegaard.
Now, Charles Watts has provided an update for Arsenal fans on the Brazilian on his YouTube channel.
“I was talking to someone earlier this week and all I got was that he wasn’t at that stage ruled out of this weekend. So I think that there’s definitely a hope that he could be back in some way.
“I would be stunned if he just comes straight in and starts the game. You know I don’t know how much he’s been training if indeed he’s even started training yet.
“But, all I was told was that there was a chance, that they were working towards the possibility of him being involved this weekend.”
How could Arsenal line up against Tottenham?
With Odegaard, Rice and potentially Jesus not being fit enough to start or even being guaranteed to feature at all, Mikel Arteta has some big decisions to make.
Interestingly, Raheem Sterling has been tipped to be a number 9 at times for Arsenal, and that could become a reality sooner than he thinks with Havertz potentially leaving a space up top against Spurs.
Bukayo Saka is a guaranteed starter on the right-hand side, while Leandro Trossard has impressed massively so far this season and started last time out, so could be on the left again or even up top.
Gabriel Martinelli could also start on the left if Arteta opts to deploy Trossard in the false 9 role.
Jorginho enjoyed some minutes for Italy during the international break, so he looks like the most likely replacement for Declan Rice.
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