Tottenham will be looking at their north London rivals with no sympathy given the injury problems they have endured this season.
As Arsenal's campaign has stuttered due to long-term injuries to first Martin Odegaard and now Bukayo Saka, Ange Postecoglou has been forced to work without a first-choice defense for most of the season ahead.
Spurs' injuries have compromised them Premier League campaign but they retain a chance for silverware in the three cup competitions. The club's poor league performance minimizes the pressure on Wednesday's north London derby, but winning away Arsenal it would be a monumental scalp for a manager who has yet to win over the entire Lilywhite fan base.
Tottenham's injury situation has changed since the weekend, and here's the latest ahead of their trip to the Emirates.
Goalkeepers & Defenders
William Vicar rushed back to the training ground as soon as he saw Antonin Kinsky strut his stuff on debut against Liverpool last week. The 21-year-old's impressive start in north London will only accelerate Vicario's bid to return from a broken leg, which is expected to keep him out until next month.
Fraser Forster has missed the last few games due to illness and it remains to be seen whether he will be included on the bench against Arsenal.
In the center back, Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray will continue as a pair with him Christian Romero AND Micky van de Ven both are skipped until the end of the month. Ben Davies is close to a comeback from a thigh injury and could be included in the squad for Wednesday's match.
Fate Udogie has also succumbed to a fungus problem and will be back in mid-February.
Midfield
Rodrigo Bentancur was forced off in the opening exchanges against Liverpool after a worrying sequence. The midfielder was stretchered off and rushed to hospital, with Postecoglou confirming Bentancur had suffered a concussion.
He was not involved against Tamworth at the weekend and will not play at the Emirates as he undergoes concussion protocol.
Yves Bissouma should continue at the base of midfield, having put in some impressive performances to start 2025.
The attackers
Richarlison returned to training at the start of the year and is finally ready to make a long-awaited return from injury in the derby.
“(Richarlison) has been pestering me for the last ten days to get involved, but we've been disciplined with it and he's looked really good in training,” Postecoglou said on Tuesday. “He looks ready to go so happy to get it back on him.”
The Brazilian has been out for months with a hamstring injury suffered during the 4-1 win over Aston Villa.
However, Tottenham have seemingly lost Timo Werner for a hip injury. The German struggled in Tamworth on Sunday but played 90 minutes before Spurs made it three in extra time. Spurs will await the results of his scan before giving a diagnosis. However, he will not play on Wednesday.
The arrival of summer Wilson Odobert is a long-term absentee after undergoing hamstring surgery and his return date is not yet known.
|
Player |
The injury |
StatUS |
|---|---|---|
|
William Vicar |
the ankle |
out |
|
Fraser Forster |
DISEASES |
suspicion |
|
Christian Romero |
groin |
out |
|
Micky van de Ven |
Dance |
out |
|
Ben Davies |
Dance |
suspicion |
|
Fate Udogie |
Dance |
out |
|
Rodrigo Bentancur |
Concussion |
suspicion |
|
Richarlison |
Dance |
Available |
|
Timo Werner |
Dance |
out |
|
Wilson Odobert |
Dance |
out |