Just what you need ahead of what is the most important North London Derby for many years is doubts over the first XI, isn’t it? I was sure that the nerves ahead of tomorrow wouldn’t grow anymore, however, the pre-match press conference has somehow added to the stress of it all.
There was hope that Ben White would be fit and ready for the derby, but Mikel Arteta was unable to give assurances that Arsenal’s most expensive summer signing would indeed make it. He instead described the defender as a 'doubt' and also mentioned Bukayo Saka in his injury summary; likening his situation to White’s.
”Ben [White] he is still a doubt, we have to assess him and see how he is feeling, which is much better. With Bukayo [Saka] the same,” said Arteta. Adding, "Very difficult to rate with injuries. It's just how they feel today, that's the last day that we can assess them and try to get the feeling, basically."
