Cesc Fabregas believes Leandro Trossard should start in midfield for Arsenal against Tottenham as he has the ‘capabilities and qualities’ to fill in if Martin Odegaard is ruled out of the clash.
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a number of selection issues ahead of the north London derby, with Declan Rice suspended and Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu all nursing injuries.
Club captain Odegaard went to ground with a nasty-looking ankle problem during Norway’s Nations League win over Austria on Monday night and had to helped off the field by medical staff at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion.
The 25-year-old was later pictured on crutches as he boarded a flight back from the Norwegian capital to London, just days out from the Gunners’ all-important trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
According to Norway’s team doctor, Odegaard has avoided a serious fracture but is likely to be out of action for around three weeks.
Teenage academy product Ethan Nwaneri has been tipped as a potential solution for Arteta in the middle of the park should Odegaard be set for a spell on the sidelines.
And while Fabregas is confident the 17-year-old could ‘make an impact’, he feels Trossard may be the best option for Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s eagerly anticipated Premier League contest.
On Nwaneri, Fabregas told the Planet Premier League podcast: ‘I have no doubts that if Mikel puts him in the starting XI or even during the game it’s because he has seen that he’s good enough to make an impact.
‘Obviously the consequences of Rice and Odegaard being out helps and makes it a little bit faster than he would have liked but definitely it means that he is on his mind.
‘If he’s part of the squad it’s because he really believes that he can bring something to the table.
‘I also would like to see Trossard in midfield. I know he likes to come from the wing but he has the capabilities and qualities to play that role of Odegaard. A little more offensive midfielder, No.8, No.10.
‘I think he’s got the qualities to do that. Probably [Thomas] Partey and Jorginho will be the other two midfielders if I am not mistaken.
‘But overall, it’s great to see young players making it into the Premier League.’
According to Fabregas, this weekend’s grudge match is a ‘much bigger game’ for Arsenal given the club’s aspirations for the top-flight season.
‘It’s still early but I think it’s a bigger game for Arsenal,’ the legendary former Arsenal and Spain midfielder added.
‘Arsenal need to go toe to toe with Manchester City to win the league this year. It’s their third year straight trying to win it in a confident way, where they believe it can be done.
‘With all due respect and I’m being serious, if Tottenham finish fifth or sixth, I know they will always try to aim a bit higher, but it won’t be seen as such a failure as if Arsenal doesn’t manage to win the league this season because they have been very, very close the last couple of years.’
The ex-Arsenal captain added: ‘I do believe for Arsenal it’s a much bigger game because they have to find this continuity after drawing the last game against Brighton.
‘For the confidence after the international break as well, I think it’s important.
‘Big season for Arsenal, big month for Arsenal and I think it’s a much bigger game for them.’
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