Arsenal will have to make changes when they face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Arsenal will be missing a number of key players when the North London Derby rolls around this weekend.
Mikel Arteta is having to contend with something of an injury crisis at this time. The Spanish coach’s options are particularly depleted in the middle of the park.
Declan Rice is suspended for the visit to Spurs, having been sent off controversially in the Gunners’ draw against Brighton last time out. The decision to dismiss Rice has been criticised, but the fact remains that Arteta will still be without the England international this weekend.
On top of that, Martin Odegaard has also been sidelined. The Norwegian playmaker picked up an injury whilst on international duty. Odegaard was pictured using crutches as he prepared to return to North London for further tests.
Furthermore, Mikel Merino is also out of action. The summer signing picked up an injury in his first Arsenal training session, as he damaged his shoulder. He will not be fit in time to make his debut in a North London Derby.
These absences have left Arteta with a puzzle to solve in the middle of the park.
Jorginho and Thomas Partey could record Arsenal first
Two alternatives that the Spanish coach may turn to are Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
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Partey has been in the side this season, though Jorginho is yet to play a minute of Premier League football in the current campaign.
However, Arteta certainly has faith in Jorginho and has called upon the Italian veteran for big matches against top opposition before. With all of his nous and experience, the former Chelsea man ought to be able to slot into the side against Spurs with a minimum of fuss.
If Jorginho does come into the Arsenal starting XI, joining Partey in the midfield unit, then it will be the first time that the duo have ever started a match together in that part of the pitch.
The only other Arsenal games that both Partey and Jorginho have started both came in May 2023, against Nottingham Forest and Wolves, when the Ghanaian was used at right-back.
Mikel Arteta’s other options against Tottenham Hotspur
Beyond bringing Partey and Jorginho into the side, who could have their lack of pace and mobility exposed, Arteta does have other options to consider.
Hale End academy wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri could be handed his first start. But it would certainly be a risk to throw the teenager in at the deep end in such a fixture.