Express

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed that his side have received a major injury boost ahead of the north London derby.

After their absences ahead of the international break, it was unclear whether Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven would be passed as fit to face the Arsenal, who have injury concerns of their own.

However, Postecoglou appears to be optimistic about both players featuring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Asked about the fitness of the duo on Friday, Postecoglou revealed: “It’s fairly positive. Micky's good, he's trained all the way through the international break and it was good for him to stay with us to build him back up so he's ready to go.

"Dom's improved as well and trained the back half of this week. We still have two days to go with those guys so hopefully they get through training ok and are available."

The international break provided both Solanke and Van de Ven with the opportunity to overcome their respective problems, but not all players returned from representing their nations fully fit.

Don't miss... Mikel Arteta may spring major surprise on Spurs as BBC host discusses 'rumour' [LATEST]

Yves Bissouma sustained an injury whilst competing for Mali, and Spurs are continuing to monitor the problem ahead of Sunday’s clash. Postecoglou said: “We had the last of the boys in late [on Thursday].

“We'll have a look at them today and everyone's reporting all well except for Biss. He's got a bit of an issue, but we'll have a look at him over the next couple of days and see how it settles.”

Postecoglou will be hoping that Bissouma returns in time to feature given that Tottenham will be hoping to capitalise on Arsenal’s issues in midfield to dominate the contest.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

The Gunners will be without the suspended Declan Rice as well as Martin Odegaard, who sustained an ankle injury whilst playing for Norway. Mikel Merino is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Tottenham could be short of striker options if Solanke is not passed fit for Sunday’s match, with Richarlison and Will Lankshear both still ruled out.

Postecoglou concluded: “Richy's still got a bit of work to do, alongside Will Lankshear who is still in rehab.” If Solanke is unavailable then Spurs may opt to play Son Heung-min as a makeshift No. 9, with Dejan Kulusevski and Timo Werner both options out wide.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could spring a surprise change for Sunday’s north London derby clash away to Tottenham Hotspur, one BBC host has claimed.

Arteta’s midfield is down to the bare bones heading into this weekend’s fixture, with Martin Odegaard ruled out after picking up an injury on international duty with Norway.

The Norway team doctor did issue a positive update for the Gunners faithful, claiming the midfielder hadn’t fractured his ankle, but he did predict a lengthy stint on the sidelines for the Arsenal skipper.

Odegaard joins fellow first-choice star Declan Rice (suspension) and summer signing Mikel Merino (injured) as Arsenal midfielders who won’t be in action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Arteta left scratching his head in need of a solution.

A double pivot of Thomas Partey and Jorginho has been mooted, but with a combined age of 63 between the duo, there have been separate calls for fresher legs to be given a chance at the weekend.

According to Mark Chapman, host of the BBC’s Planet Premier League Podcast, that could arrive in the form of teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri.

Discussing a rumour he’d heard, Chapman said: “At the other end of the scale as we move onto the north London derby, there are rumours going around at the moment, and these may be quashed by the time the game comes around.

“They have some issues in midfield Arsenal, Declan Rice is suspended, Martin Odegaard picked up an injury during the week, their signing in the summer, Merino is already injured. So there are these rumours that they may start a 17-year-old, Ethan Nwaneri.”

Read more... Man Utd target one of six free agents who could secure moves this month [LATEST]

If given a chance from the off, it would represent Nwaneri’s first-ever Premier League start, having only made a handful of appearances off the bench.

But, after excelling as a creative option from midfield in Arsenal’s youth set-up, he could prove the perfect tonic for Arteta’s selection problems.

Nwaneri might not be alone in making his first start for Arsenal, with talk Raheem Sterling could be parachuted straight into the starting XI as well.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Don't miss...

Pep Guardiola's stance on becoming England manager as FA 'dream' made clear [NEWS]

England interim Carsley has second coaching job that allows him to 'experiment' [READ]

'I played with Messi and Ronaldo but another player impressed me more' [LATEST]

The ex-Manchester City and Liverpool ace arrived on loan from Chelsea on deadline day and has been working with Arteta on the training ground throughout the international break.

Sterling, who has a point to prove after being shunned by Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, will be keen to make an instant impact for his new club and silence the doubters in the upcoming north London derby.

Raheem Sterling has already exorcised the demons that made him struggle at Chelsea, despite not yet having made his Arsenal debut, according to one former player who turned out for both the capital clubs.

Sterling penned a surprise deadline-day move to the north London outfit last month, having been exiled out of the Chelsea squad by new manager Enzo Maresca.

It came just two years after the winger put pen to paper on a move from Manchester City, joining the Blues as part of a £50million deal.

But, as Sterling prepares for his first Arsenal outing this weekend, one ex-Gunner believes he’s already looking the part.

William Gallas told Prime Casino: “I think this can be a very good move for Raheem Sterling. It looks like it will be a positive move for Arsenal, and you can see that Sterling looks really, really pleased to have joined the club.

“I’ve seen the pictures of him in training; he looks happy. He looks relaxed. His body language looks good, at Chelsea, that wasn’t the case.

“I don’t know if this is true, but I look at him, I hear the things he’s said about Arsenal since he joined, maybe he always wanted to play for the club. He’s a London boy, maybe this is the shirt that he’s always wanted.”

Read more... Ian Wright opens up on terrifying car crash travelling to MOTD - 'I nearly died' [LATEST]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

He continued: “When I said it wouldn’t be a loss if he left Chelsea, that was fair. He didn’t show his ability at the football club. It’s simple. He has an opportunity to show people what he’s all about as a player, and perhaps working with a manager that knows him, will help him do that.

“Arsenal have got a lot of wingers, but he adds to that. They need a striker, and they didn’t get one. It would be very good news for the club and Mikel Arteta if Sterling can score goals. I’ve got a feeling that he may just do that playing for Arsenal.”

It comes ahead of this weekend’s north London derby, which Sterling is expected to feature in.

And given Arsenal’s current injury crisis, there is talk Sterling could be thrown in straight from the start - news that will no doubt strike fear into the Tottenham Hotspur defence.

A Sterling with a point to prove is a dangerous one and what better stage to mark his Arsenal arrival than away to the club’s most hated rivals.

Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur is facing a multi-game ban over comments he made about Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min. The midfielder has been charged by the FA after making the remarks during an interview in Uruguay over the summer.

Bentancur and Son have been team-mates at Spurs since January 2022 after the Uruguay international joined the club from Juventus following a four-and-half year spell in Italy.

The 27-year-old started Tottenham’s opening clash of this campaign against Leicester but left the pitch on a stretcher after smashing his head into the turf. He missed Spurs' thrashing of Everton five days later but returned to action as a late substitute against Newcastle ahead of the international break.

In the summer, Bentancur carried out an interview in his homeland and appeared to suggester that people from South Korea “all look the same”.

He later apologised to Son as he wrote on Instagram: “Sonny brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke.”

In June, the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out explained that they had received a “significant number” of complaints about Bentancur’s comments. And the FA have now taken action by charging the player. If their charge is upheld, Bentancur could face a significant ban between six to 12 matches in length.

Read more... Mikel Arteta signs new Arsenal contract in timely boost ahead of Tottenham clash

“Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview,” the organisation wrote in a statement.

“It’s alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It’s further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach” which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin. Rodrigo Bentancur has until Thursday 19 September 2024 to provide a response to this charge.”

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Son labelled the incident as a “mistake” at the time, with Tottenham releasing a statement that read: “Following a comment from Rodrigo Bentancur in an interview video clip and the player’s subsequent public apology, the club has been providing assistance in ensuring a positive outcome on the matter.

“This will include further education for all players in line with our diversity, equality and inclusion objectives. We fully support that our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident and that the team can focus on the new season ahead.

“We are extremely proud of our diverse, global fanbase and playing squads. Discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club, within our game or within wider society.”

Arsenal have been handed a glimmer of hope as Martin Odegaard's injury reportedly may not be as severe as first feared. The Gunners' captain is undergoing further assessments following an initially promising scan; however, he remains a doubt for the upcoming North London derby against arch-rivals Tottenham.

While no definitive timeline has been established for Odegaard's return, Arsenal's medical team is cautiously optimistic that he won't miss a substantial number of key fixtures, including their Champions League clash with Atalanta and a vital showdown with Manchester City, according to The Mirror.

Odegaard picked up an ankle injury during international duty for Norway in their Nations League match against Austria on Monday night, casting a shadow over his upcoming club commitments.

Norway's team doctor Ole Sand has anticipated a three-week absence for such injuries, telling Norwegian media outlets: "Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer."

National coach Stale Solbakken even feared that Odegaard might be sidelined for the upcoming international games next month.

On a positive note, Sand added: "What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle."

After flying back to England, Odegaard had a scan in Hertfordshire on Tuesday and is no longer under Norwegian FA care.

Arsenal have received a significant boost with scans revealing no fracture for Odegaard, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation. The potential loss of the influential player for several weeks or even a month would have been a severe setback for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, will address the media on Friday, where it is expected he will confirm Odegaard's absence from the upcoming Tottenham match. However, an official announcement has not yet been made.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

As the club continue their assessments, they will be eager for Odegaard to return as soon as possible, especially with new signing Mikel Merino sidelined for six-to-eight weeks due to a shoulder fracture sustained in training.

In another blow, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is suspended for the North London derby, leaving Arteta with a significant selection dilemma. However, there is some positive news as Gabriel Jesus could be poised for a comeback following his injury.

If Mikel Arteta wasn’t a fan of international breaks before this week, he certainly won’t be now.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard hobbled off the pitch during Norway’s clash against Austria with a suspected ankle injury and his chances of featuring in this weekend's clash against Tottenham Hotspur hanging by a thread.

It has come at the worst possible time for Arteta, whose midfield is already down to the bare bones following a string of injuries and suspensions.

Declan Rice’s controversial sending-off against Brighton & Hove Albion means he’s been ruled out for this weekend’s north London derby, while summer arrival Mikel Merino is currently out of action with a shoulder problem.

It has left Arteta with a problem to solve and ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham, Express Sport have hypothesised how the Spaniard might look to fix Arsenal’s issues in midfield.

Mikel Arteta turns to experience following injury crisis

Starting away at Tottenham with a midfield pivot of Jorginho and Thomas Partey wouldn’t have been Arteta’s preferred option, but in this situation, perhaps it’s a case of needs must.

While there aren’t too many alternative options to pick from anyway, Arteta’s best bet might be relying on the experience of Jorginho and Partey, who combined have played close to 1000 professional matches between them.

If Arsenal can build a sturdy base in midfield, with their first-choice backline standing firm behind, the title hopefuls should have enough firepower in attack to cut a shaky Spurs defence apart.

Don't miss...

Martin Odegaard on crutches as Arsenal star flies to London for crucial scans [READ]

Arsenal’s XI vs Tottenham without Rice, Odegaard and Calafiori after injury woe [NEWS]

Benjamin Sesko sends Arsenal transfer message as he shows up Erling Haaland [LATEST]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Leonardo Trossard plugs the Martin Odegaard-shaped hole

In a roundabout way, maybe an injury to Arsenal’s star midfielder is all it needed to take for Leonardo Trossard to enjoy a regular run of games in the side.

Despite popping up with crucial goals for the Gunners, the Belgian has often come in and out of Arteta’s set-up, with the former midfielder seemingly favouring alternative options.

But with Odegaard’s injury looking like a serious one, Trossard could be given a run of games in the side, perhaps up top as a centre forward ahead of Kai Havertz just behind, or in the advanced midfield role himself. It wouldn’t be the first time the ex-Brighton man has played there.

New signing handed debut in the north London derby

If Raheem Sterling is made for one thing, it’s the big stage. A star man at both Liverpool and Manchester City (less said about his time at Stamford Bridge), Sterling has played in some of football’s biggest games, with there few bigger than the north London derby.

Given Sterling wasn’t involved in international duty, the winger has enjoyed a full week on the training ground with Arteta, who already knows what the 29-year-old can offer from their time at City together. It would represent bad news for Gabriel Martinelli though, who’s the most likely candidate to drop out of the team in his place.

And on the back of what’s been a pretty torrid summer for Sterling, it would be fitting for him to rock up on his Arsenal debut and contribute to a victory against his new side's hated rivals.

Arsenal have issued a statement following a PGMOL and Premier League ruling that's due to impact this weekend's north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur.

The clash comes at a nightmare time for boss Mikel Arteta, who is set to be without Mikel Merino (injured), Martin Odgeegard (injured) and Declan Rice (suspended) for Sunday's clash.

But as well as plenty of changes in midfield, Arsenal will also undergo another major switch ahead of the game, with the Gunners set to wear their away kit at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The white of Spurs coming up against the red of Arsenal has been a constant in this fixture for as long as most can remember, but that won't be the case this weekend.

It comes after the PGMOL and Premier League ruled Arsenal's home strip for the 2024/25 season contains too much white and therefore clashes with the kit Tottenham will be wearing.

On the ruling, a statement posted to Arsenal's website read: "That’s because both teams will be wearing their away strips in the fixtures this campaign, after the PGMOL and Premier League ruled that our 2024/25 home kit features too much white, thus clashing with Tottenham’s traditional colours, even with the option of red shorts and socks for us, which was also discussed.

"As a result, for the first time in recent ‘NLD’ history, we’ll be wearing our changed colours, with our black Adidas away kit being donned at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where we’ll aim to clinch a third-straight victory at the venue."

Don't miss... EA FC 25 Premier League player ratings revealed and Haaland is not No. 1 [LATEST]

This ruling will also impact Tottenham later on in the season when they visit the Emirates Stadium.

However, it's not yet known which alternative kit Spurs will wear, with the capital club boasting a sky blue away shirt and an emerald green third strip.

It won't be the first time Arsenal have worn their new black away kit in the Premier League though, with the Gunners having debuted it during last month's emphatic win away to Aston Villa.

Goals from Leonardo Trossard and Thomas Partey helped Arteta's men to a statement 2-0 victory that day, with the duo likely to feature in the north London derby this weekend.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Don't miss...

Martin Odegaard on crutches as Arsenal star flies to London for crucial scans [NEWS]

Benjamin Sesko sends Arsenal transfer message as he shows up Erling Haaland [READ]

Arsenal’s XI vs Tottenham without Rice, Odegaard and Calafiori after injury woe [LATEST]

Partey, who has started all three Premier League matches this season, is all but certain to play if fit, given how light Arsenal are in midfield following Rice's red card and Merino and Odegaard's injuries.

But, some of Arteta's problems in that are could be solved by deploying Trossard as a striker, which would allow Kai Havertz to drop deeper and operate as an attacking midfielder.

The ex-Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen star has shown he's adept at doing that in the past, making it a viable option for the injury-ridden Premier League title hopefuls.

Danny Rose has opened on the culture inside the England camp when he was an international, claiming Tottenham players were mocked by team-mates for not earning enough.

The 34-year-old made 210 appearances for the club between 2007 and 2021. He also won 29 caps for the Three Lions, with his final appearance coming in 2019.

Despite playing in a Champions League final that year, Rose believed Spurs players were underpaid and had to endure taunts from their fellow countrymen when on international duty.

"England team-mates would laugh about how much Spurs paid us," Rose told In The Zone podcast. "When we would go away with England, the lads would laugh at us at what we're being paid. And I have one friend who was at another club.

"I remember one season where West Brom were fighting relegation while we were near the top, and some of their players were on more than what we were on. That wasn't right.

"With Spurs and win bonuses, you had to win by at least a couple of goals to get a bonus from it. At the time, I don't regret saying anything about it because it was the truth, but now I think the lads are being paid appropriately."

Rose signed a five-year deal worth £65,000-a-week in September 2016, but the following year he went public in an attempt to land another pay rise amid reported interest from Manchester United.

He told The Sun in 2017: "As with everyone else in my team, in my opinion, I am worth more than I am getting. In any walk of life, if you think you are worth a certain amount, why settle for less? I am not that person.

"If I get to levels I reached last season — and this goes out to everybody — I will make sure I get what I am worth."

He was fined two weeks' wages by the club for complaining about his renumeration, although it is fair to say his comments were supported by his Spurs team-mates at the time.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is known to drive a hard bargain at the negotiating table as he maintains strict control over the wage bill, with only Harry Kane handed a deal beyond the club's normal structure.

Son Heung-min is the highest earner at the club with a £190,000-a-week salary, according to data from Spotrac. James Maddison is paid £170,000 a week, Cristian Romero and Timo Werner are on £165,000 a week, and Dejan Kulusevski the other only player to breach the six-figure mark with £110,000 a week.

Since leaving Tottenham in 2021, Rose played for Newcastle and Watford before becoming a free agent since 2022. He was spotted training with non-league side York City to boost his fitness last year and, while he hasn't closed the door on a return to professional football, he has recently undertaken punditry work for Sky Sports.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was spotted on crutches as he boarded a plane to London, where he will undergo scans to determine the severity of his suspected ankle injury.

The 25-year-old was in tears and had to be helped on the pitch in the 67th minute of Norway's Nations League match with Austria after a strong challenge by Christoph Baumgartner.

The playmaker's foot got stuck in the turf and he received treatment on the pitch before being substituted off, as Erling Haaland attempted to console his upset team-mate.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken explained that the injury "looked bad" which prompted fears over Odegaard's participation not only in Sunday's north London derby, but going forward for the Gunners.

And Norwegian outlet VG snapped a photo of Odegaard on crutches as he boarded a private plane back to England. He could be seen going backwards onto the jet, joined by his pregnant wife and their dog.

Odegaard will undergo an MRI scan to find out the extent of the damage, confirmed by Norway national team doctor Ola Sand.

Sand explained: “He is on his way to London and will have an MRI there later today." When asked for an initial prognosis, the doctor replied: “Nothing but a strong overstepping and that we await what Arsenal find.”

Odegaard potential injury comes at an unfortunate time for Mikel Arteta, who could head into Sunday's trip to Tottenham without his skipper, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori.

Rice is suspended after his red card last time out against Brighton, while Merino has to wait to make his debut due to a shoulder injury sustained in his first Arsenal training session, causing him to miss the next few weeks.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Similar to Odegaard, Calafiori also picked up an injury on international duty as a calf issue caused the defender to be sent home to London for further assessment.

If Odegaard is set for a spell on the sidelines, Arteta will be forced to shuffle his midfield ahead of three away games in the space of a week against Spurs, Atalanta and Manchester City.

Adrien Rabiot, who once brutally turned down a move to Tottenham, has now issued a come-and-get-me plea to the club. The Frenchman, 29, is currently a free agent after leaving Juventus in July, so is eligible for an immediate transfer despite the fact the window is closed.

According to TBR Football, Rabiot has offered his services to both Tottenham and Arsenal in an attempt to get himself out of limbo - having failed to secure a contract with a new club over the summer. He has received offers from teams in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, but it's believed he'd rather to sign for a club in one of Europe's top leagues.

However, the midfielder's wage demands could stand in the way of such a move. It's understood he's asking for around £220,000-a-week - £30k more per week than what Tottenham's highest earner, Son Heung-min, is making.

Ange Postecoglou's side had a busy summer. They not only shattered their transfer record by signing Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke for £65million, but they also spent an additional £71m on four highly promising youngsters. Annoyingly for Rabiot, two of those youngsters, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, are central midfielders, which likely means Spurs won't be too eager to sign another one, especially with Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma also in the squad.

Rabiot's eagerness to play for Spurs represents quite a turnaround after he deemed the club "below" his level when they tried to sign him in 2018. At the time, Rabiot was keen to leave Paris Saint Germain amidst issues with then-coach Thomas Tuchel, who would later take the reins at Chelsea.

The fact that elite European clubs like Barcelona and Juventus were vying for his services makes his nonchalance towards Spurs somewhat understandable. However, Spurs were on an upward trajectory back then, with Mauricio Pochettino establishing them as Premier League contenders and Champions League regulars.

A few months later they reached the Champions League final for the very first time, but it wasn't enough to lure Rabiot to north London. The France international ended up joined Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2019, with Tottenham landing Tanguy Ndombele instead.

In Italy, Rabiot swiftly became indispensable for Juventus, and soon after secured a regular spot in France manager Didier Deschamps' starting XI. He ended up playing 212 games for the Old Lady, scoring 22 goals.