Arsenal take on Tottenham in the latest North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday. The Gunners go into the clash as favourites having won the reverse fixture and 14 of their 17 Premier League games this season, but they head to a ground where they are yet to taste anything other than defeat.
Since the opening of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019, the Gunners have lost all three of their meetings there against Spurs by an aggregate score of 7-1. However, Arteta's table-toppers are in the best position to end that unwanted streak and further cement their spot at the Premier League's summit.
Both managers undertook their pre-match press conference duties on Friday, with Antonio Conte handing a key Dejan Kulusevski update. When asked about the latest injury news, the Italian said: "The news for sure the situation is going to improve, especially for Deki, for Kulusevski. He had training sessions in the last few days with us. He's going to be ready to play."
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Arteta's side were given a significantly shorter break from FA Cup third-round action after beating Oxford on Monday evening, whereas Spurs bypassed Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon. Nonetheless, the Spaniard has still been working his players hard, as seen by images released by the club. With that in mind, here's four things football.london noticed from the latest sessions at London Colney.
Saka concern
"Saka is fine", was Arteta's response after the 21-year-old limped off in the FA Cup clash against Oxford and a similar stance was reiterated in his pre-Spurs press conference on Friday. However, perhaps there should be some concern surrounding his fitness, with the Hale End grad not clearly appearing in any of the 24 training photos posted to Arsenal's official website.
The England international picked up a knock in the thumping win over Nottingham Forest earlier in the season which saw him as an early withdrawal but he was then available for the Gunners in their next game.
A similar instance could be occurring here with a slight knock troubling Saka enough that he misses training, but of course this panic could be for nothing and it just so happens the clubs official photographer captured no photos of the attacker ahead of the North London Derby.
Nketiah warning
Eddie Nketiah added another two goals to his name in the FA Cup victory over Oxford after scoring against both West Ham and Brighton.
Concerns over whether or not the 23-year-old would've been able to fill the shoes of Gabriel Jesus were apparent but he appears to be having no such issues and the training photos captured of the striker appear certainly back that up.
In one photo, Nketiah appears to be setting himself up for a shot at goal and in the background is a stricken William Saliba, possibly indicating he was able to bypass one of the Premier League's best defenders this season in the build-up to having a shot at goal. Nketiah is also part of the final photo which shows the winning team from the training session suggesting he likely banged in a few more goals.
Gabriel wisdom
Marquinhos has endured a tough start to life in England following his £3million transfer from Sao Paulo in the summer but it looks as though he may now have a mentor in north London.
Fellow Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaes is captured with his arm around the 19-year-old seemingly offering advice with the teenager intently listening to his countrymen.
Smith Rowe boost
Arteta and Arsenal were handed a major boost with the return of Emile Smith Rowe who came on as a sub in the 75th minute and it appears the 22-year-old has not suffered an injury setback.
The winger is captured on numerous occasions in training this week, firstly with the ball at his feet before partaking in a heart-warming hug with a team-mate. Smith Rowe is also included in the winning team photo making a shush gesture while crouched down.
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