Arsenal

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I am not sure what I expect Mikel Arteta to do about the centre of the pitch for the north London derby, but missing his two key midfielders is huge.

There is scope to drop Kai Havertz into more of an attacking midfield role but I do not think they can replace Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard with the players that they have.

Tottenham’s midfield is also dynamic, so it is a big blow for Arteta. He will have to make adjustments to his team and that will be key.

They do not have another player like Odegaard with the way he links up players. Similarly, Rice's ability to cover ground and take the ball under pressure is not like anyone else. He can stop attacks and then build the next one.

In the north London derby, every player has to be able to handle the emotion. Those players that have played in it before will need to step up. For example, Jorginho and Thomas Partey have been at the club long enough to know the value of these games.

With the game at Spurs, Arteta needs players who will not rise to the crowd with their emotions - which will be exceptional because it is such a big game. Odegaard has been a great captain for the Gunners because he leads by example. It is not always about having the war cry when you have the armband.

And Arsenal’s defence have to play well. They can not take the bait from the home supporters and Spurs will be counter-attacking so they have to manage that too.

The crowd will be up for it and will try to make the atmosphere as hostile as possible. If you get too emotional in this game then it will play more into Tottenham’s hands than Arsenal’s.

Nedum was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

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Former Arsenal player Cesc Fabregas spoke on this week's Planet Premier League podcast about the upcoming north London derby.

With Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard both out, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could start for the Gunners.

Speaking about how ready Nwaneri is to play in the fixture, Fabregas said: "I have no doubt, that if Mikel [Arteta] puts him in the starting 11, or even on during the game, it's because he's seen that he's good enough to make an impact.

"He's on his [Arteta's] mind and if he's part of the squad it's because he really believes that he can bring something to the table.”

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says feeling "very inspired and challenged" was key for him in signing a new contract.

Arteta, who became the Gunners manager in 2019, said: "I feel extremely proud, very excited and am looking forward to what is coming next. I’m proud to be where I am and have the relationships that I have with everyone at the club.

"I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here. I feel very inspired, I feel challenged, I feel supported and I want to do much more than what we’ve already done together.

"Together with the players and everyone at the club, we are looking forward to the coming years, with our supporters, who have emotionally transformed the club and the team. Our supporters have transformed individuals and we are different now. You can tell that we are different and for me, that is down to them.

"We look forward to continuing the journey together."

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Mikel Arteta's contract extension gives Arsenal "stability", says sporting director Edu.

Arteta was due to be out of contract at the end of the season but has penned a new agreement until 2027.

Arsenal's co-chair, Josh Kroenke, said: “We’re delighted to have extended Mikel’s contract.

“Mikel is a dynamic and passionate manager, who is relentless in the pursuit of excellence. He has a deep understanding of Arsenal’s values, and since joining us as Head Coach in December 2019, he has taken the team to another level in an Arsenal way.

“There is a great collective team spirit at the club, and with the strong relationships we hold between us and belief in what we do, we look forward with excitement and confidence, as we continue our aim – to win together.”

Sporting Director Edu added: “We are really happy that Mikel has signed a new long-term contract. It’s a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club and an important part of what we’re all working towards.

“Mikel has shown his qualities since the very first day he joined us, not only as a football manager, but as a person with wonderful values.

“We have a strong belief in what we are doing and what we want to achieve together. Mikel’s new contract gives us stability and clear direction as we aim for new heights.”

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has agreed a new long-term contract to keep him at the club until 2027.

The Gunners boss, who replaced Unai Emery midway through the 2019-20 season, has led them to consecutive second-placed finishes in the Premier League and returned Champions League football to Emirates Stadium.

Arteta's existing deal had been due to expire in 2025.

Is this the boost you needed ahead of the north London derby, Arsenal fans?

Are you happy with the length of the deal?

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Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle lead the race to sign Lille's 24-year-old Canada striker Jonathan David, although Juventus are also interested. (TuttoJuve), external

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Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal are about to enter a crucial week of their season even though they are only three games into the Premier League season.

On Sunday the Gunners take on rivals Tottenham in the north London derby before starting their Champions League campaign away to Atalanta and then travelling to title rivals Manchester City the following weekend.

Those games would be daunting for any side with a fully fit squad but Arsenal head into these games with some huge questions for Mikel Arteta to answer.

New signing Mikel Merino got injured in his first training session, Declan Rice is suspended following his red card in the match against Brighton and captain Martin Odegaard is expected to be "out for three weeks" after picking up an ankle injury on international duty.

It would be harsh to say the Gunners season is on the line so early in the campaign. However, if they were to lose a game over this period, they could find themselves five points adrift.

City’s dominance over recent years has meant any side that wants to challenge them need to be near perfect. That pressure will weigh on Arsenal as they head into these matches.

Listen to full commentary of Tottenham v Arsenal from 14:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live

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The north London derby is the Premier League fixture in which both teams have scored in more often than any other (43).

Just one of Tottenham's past 49 league home games has ended in a draw, including none of the past 22.

Of all Premier League grounds, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has hosted the lowest percentage of draws (9%), while it has staged more games without a 0-0 draw than any other stadium (101).

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is likely to be out injured for at least three weeks, according to the Norway team doctor.

Odegaard came off injured in the match against Austria on Monday and, speaking to Norwegian newspaper VG, doctor Ola Sand said Odegaard has "probably" not suffered an ankle fracture.

The injury comes at a bad time for Arsenal, who play rivals Tottenham on Sunday, before games against Atalanta in the Champions League and then title rivals Manchester City.

It is understood that Odegaard had a scan on Tuesday afternoon and is being asssed daily by the Arsenal medical team.

"Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus, and then it can take longer," Sand is quoted as saying.

"What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.

"It is always a bit difficult to interpret an MRI scan when you have had an old injury, but Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach - but this may still take some time.

"In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus."

Arsenal will also be without the suspended Declan Rice and new signing Mikel Merino, who is also injured.

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Austria's Christoph Baumgartner has apologised for the tackle that left Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard on crutches.

The RB Leipzig forward posted a message on his Instagram account wishing Odegaard all the best for his recovery after injuring his ankle with a sliding tackle during Norway's 2-1 victory over Austria in Oslo.

"I would like to sincerely apologise to Martin Odegaard," he wrote. "It was never my intention to injure this fantastic player.

"I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery! Come back stronger."

Odegaard, who was pictured walking on crutches as he boarded a private jet back to London on Tuesday, was expected to have an MRI scan to determine the full extent of the injury, which was described by the Norway team doctor as a "minor ankle sprain" immediately after Monday's match.

Arsenal are already missing his midfield partner Declan Rice through suspension for Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham.

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Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott says Mikel Arteta has changed the ambitions of the club from finishing in the top four to winning the title.

The Gunners finished two points short of Manchester City last season, but are determined to once again to become champions for the first time since 2004.

"There is an expectation now for Arsenal to win the league. When I was playing there was the expectation to finish top four," Walcott said. "Now, there is a feeling which Mikel has set with his whole demeanour, of being alert constantly, of always being so positive.

"And that is not just with the players, but with the the whole staff, at the training ground and the whole environment of an all-in-one mind of a positive outlook.

"It is hard trying to get everyone going in the right direction and I think Mikel has done that, from the fans particularly, he has brought them all in one and he has gelled it."

On his expectations for this season, following a non-perfect start: "I have said Arsenal will win the league - and they are going to have to be exceptional to win the league.

"The way Manchester City have started, they have just wiped people to the floor. They have that fear factor now that when they walk on the field, the [opposition] players and their fans are terrified.

"We don't want it to be a one-horse race. We have got to be wary of Liverpool as well because they have started exceptionally well."

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In a change from recent history, Arsenal will be wearing their black away kit for Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham.

The Gunners said referees' body the PGMOL and the Premier League ruled their home strip features too much white, clashing with Spurs' traditional colours.

According to Arsenal, the option of Mikel Arteta's side wearing their home shirt with red shorts and socks for was also discussed but not agreed on.

Tottenham will also wear their away kit when they visit Emirates Stadium in January.

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We wanted to know how you're feeling going into this weekend's north London derby, as Mikel Arteta prepares to possibly face Tottenham without his first-choice midfield partnership of Declan Rice (suspended) and Martin Odegaard (injured).

Could this be one of the biggest games of the Gunners' season? Do you think they will take all three points?

Here are some of your thoughts:

Emily: I'm worried. I'm keeping everything crossed that Odegaard's injury isn't prolonged because he is such a vital part of Mikel Arteta's plan. I feel confident that we can still get a result against Tottenham, but the Manchester City game could be a disaster without our captain.

Ibrahim: I wouldn't really worry too much about the availability of Odegaard for the north London derby. I have a feeling he won't be sitting on the sidelines for too long and we have quite a few options in the squad to fill in for him. There might just be a silver lining here for Ethan Nwaneri because this could be his opportunity to break into the first team. Plus, it is just Tottenham...

Rod: I think Riccardo Calafiori, Rice and Odegaard will be out - so I would put Jurrien Timber at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jorginho in midfield. I would take 0-0 now!

Graham: Arsenal to win. We have some good youngsters to cover for Odegaard in the creative role, with Timber able to step up in midfield. I hope Calafiori's injury isn't too bad!

Derek: We are going to lose this one. Our midfield is decimated. Tottenham will never have a better chance to beat us. If we come away with any kind of result, it will be a major plus for us and it will seem like a defeat for Tottenham.

Peter: I'm apprehensive. We have some good players in Jorginho and Thomas Partey, but we are light in depth here. It is such bad luck that Mikel Merino is injured just when we need him. I think we might be lucky to get a draw. Not a great start to the campaign...

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Martin Odegaard being pictured on crutches is a blow for Arsenal. He is heading back to the club so the injury he picked up in Norway's win over Austria on Monday can be assessed.

It is another midfield problem for Mikel Arteta with Declan Rice already suspended for Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham and Mikel Merino injured too.

Riccardo Calafiori also returned early from international duty after coming off injured during Italy's victory in France on Friday.

It means Arteta will have to try to find solutions, particularly in midfield, with Odegaard so important to how Arsenal play.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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How important is momentum when it comes to winning a title? Three games in and Arsenal have yet to truly bed into the new season.

They now face a tough run of fixtures, starting this weekend with the north London derby, followed by a trip to Manchester City, interspersed with fixtures in the new Champions League.

This is the first time in a few years that Arsenal will have faced Tottenham and City away in the first half of the campaign.

On the one hand, getting these games out the way early means that, if the worst does happen, there is plenty of season left to correct it.

The defeat at Spurs in May 2022 all but ended Arsenal's challenge for the top four, and a bruising 4-1 defeat at City in April 2023 exposed the gap between the two sides.

In 2024, this is a different Arsenal, and they should still be confident of taking points off their rivals.

On the other hand, defeat in these two fixtures could be hugely damaging to confidence.

Although still early in the season, handing points to Manchester City will leave Arsenal fans where they were last year - powerlessly hoping their title rivals drop points against other teams. And besides, defeat at Tottenham is always unthinkable.

In February and March last season, Arsenal notched up 21 goals in four games and then faced what was - on paper - a tough test of Spurs, Brighton and Manchester United away.

Momentum was key - and Arsenal won three out of three.

They do not have that luxury this time around - they are going to Spurs and City having barely got going this term.

Arsenal's record against the 'big six' last season was fantastic, unbeaten with six wins and four draws. It will be crucial they continue that this year.

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Sporting Lisbon and Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres, 26, is unlikely to move in the January window, despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, because he is settled in Portugal. (Football Insider), external

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The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham takes centre stage this Sunday as the Premier League returns.

But Mikel Arteta may be without his first-choice midfield for the match due to the suspension of Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard limping off for Norway in the Nations League.

Odegaard, who went down in pain after hurting his ankle, is a doubt and could be sidelined alongside summer signing Mikel Merino, who fractured his shoulder in his first training session.

So, how are you feeling before one of the biggest games of the season? How do you expect Arteta to line up his weakened squad? And are you still confident of getting a result?

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