As Tottenham gears up for the highly anticipated north London derby, they’ve been hit with their own set of injury woes.
Arsenal’s Setback
Tottenham fans might have felt a bit of relief when Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard was forced off with an ankle injury while on international duty with Norway on Tuesday.
Ødegaard’s injury is a big concern for Arsenal, as tests didn’t provide clear answers on his recovery time.
However, Norway’s team doctor has suggested that Ødegaard could be sidelined for around three weeks.
This news likely brought a sense of satisfaction to Spurs supporters, especially since Arsenal’s Declan Rice is already suspended for the match.
Spurs’ Growing Injury List
However, the optimism surrounding Ødegaard’s injury was quickly tempered by fresh concerns for Tottenham.
Yves Bissouma, who was instrumental in Mali’s 1-0 victory over Eswatini on Tuesday, picked up a knock during the game.
Although Bissouma scored the only goal of the match, he had to be substituted in the 65th minute due to a heavy challenge.
The 28-year-old midfielder has been in impressive form for Spurs recently, notably scoring a spectacular goal in their 4-0 win against Everton in August.
He missed the season opener due to a suspension following a video of him using laughing gas, which led to manager Ange Postecoglou criticizing his poor judgment.
Bissouma later apologized for his lapse in judgment after the video surfaced online.
Other Injury Worries for Spurs
Tottenham’s injury concerns extend beyond Bissouma. Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke, and Richarlison are also dealing with injuries.
While van de Ven and Solanke are more likely to recover in time for the derby, Richarlison’s participation remains uncertain.
Arsenal’s Growing Injury List
On the Arsenal side, manager Mikel Arteta faces his own injury crisis.
In addition to Ødegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney are also sidelined.
Declan Rice’s suspension, following a controversial red card against Brighton, adds to Arteta’s mounting challenges.
With both teams grappling with key absences, the north London derby promises to be a fiercely contested match.
