Mikel Arteta is set to be able to call upon a number of returning Arsenal stars following the international break for the north London derby.
International breaks haven't always been kind to the Gunners, but supporters can take comfort in the fact that four players are set to return to the squad ahead of the highly anticipated North London Derby on Saturday, October 1. Tottenham are just a single point behind Arsenal in what is set to be a crucial game in the Premier League title race early on in the season.
Both teams have started strong after enjoying successful summer transfer windows with Arteta's side looking to seek revenge on their rivals after being pipped to Champions League qualification towards the end of last term. Arsenal have the home advantage on this occasion heading into a busy month of October in which the Gunners will play nine games including games against Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven.
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Here, football.london takes a look at the latest injury updates within the Arsenal squad.
Martin Odegaard
football.london understands that club captain Odegaard is expected to be fit and ready to face Spurs come next Saturday. The Norway international has been sidelined with respective calf injuries, though Odegaard has travelled with Norway, with manager Stale Solbakken even suggesting that he could help the squad in a coaching role, should he be unable to play in their games against Slovenia and Serbia.
"We’ll certainly see him in Norway," he said. "Either as a player or a ‘fourth coach’. It means a lot to have him."
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko is another player that was a doubt heading into the international break but football.london understands the Ukraine international is set to return for the north London derby. Arteta has a selection headache on his hands in defence after Scotland fans lauded Kieran Tierney for his stellar display whilst on international duty, with many labelling him as a better player than Liverpool's Andy Robertson who was absent through injury.
The Scotland international has started in place of the injured Zinchenko in four of Arsenal’s eight fixtures this season, but despite being perceived as Arteta's second choice Tierney's performance during the international break has given the Gunners boss food for thought ahead of a busy period of fixtures starting with a game against Tottenham.
Cedric Soares
Portuguese defender Cedric Soares was expected to feature in the Gunners' Europa League win over Zurich earlier in the month, but he picked up an injury in training. He was expected to miss up to two weeks of action and football.london understands that it's likely he will return to face Arsenal's arch rivals.
Reiss Nelson
Goal reporter Charles Watts reported that another who could return to the squad is Reiss Nelson, who has been absent since the opening day victory over Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old has been suffering from a muscular issue, but did train before the clash with Brentford.
Should Nelson not suffer any setbacks in training, the young winger could return to the matchday squad for the clash against Spurs.
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