The Mirror

Arsenal have confirmed their starting XI for this Sunday's crucial North London derby, with Gabriel replaced by summer signing Piero Hincapie. The Gunners welcome fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Heading into the game, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a growing injury list to contend with - Gabriel Magalhaes the latest to have been sidelined. And the Spaniard has opted to replace him with summer arrival Hincapie. The on-loan Bayer Leverusen man has made just two Premier League appearances so far.

Martin Odegaard remains out as he continues his recovery. Speaking on his fitness, the Arsenal captain said: "This week I’ve been working really hard on my rehab – it’s going very well. I can feel I’m getting closer every day and getting towards the final stages where it's a lot more exciting.

"I’ve been doing some pitch work and training, so I really feel like I'm getting there. That's the best part of the rehab, when you're getting closer to joining the team, you can do a lot more on the pitch and you can be more aggressive in the rehab.

"I feel like I'm getting stronger and stronger. I can't wait to be back now, we're on a good path and it's looking good. I'm really excited. I guess that's one of the good things about being injured. You get hungrier and more excited to play football again. That's the good part of it, I’m desperate to get going again."

Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the squad having been spotted on the team's pre-match walk - the latter drafted into the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Arteta has made a bold decision when it comes to attack. Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka support Mikel Merino - who leads the line for the Gunners.

Who will win between Arsenal and Tottenham? Share your thoughts in the comments below

From the Tottenham perspective, Thomas Frank starts with a back five, with Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur at the heart of midfield. Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert are selected on either flank, with Richarlison starting centrally as Dominic Solanke continues to struggle with his injury issues.

Arsenal could extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with victory against Spurs. They currently sit three points clear of nearest challengers Chelsea. Spurs in the meantime would move up to third with victory at the Emirates.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Merino.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Spence, Danso, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie, Palhinha, Bentancur, Richarlison, Kudus, Odobert.

Four injured Arsenal players have been seen with the squad just hours before Sunday's huge north London derby against Tottenham, fuelling speculation some - if not all - could feature against the Gunners' bitter rivals.

Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and club captain Martin Odegaard were all spotted leaving the team hotel on Sunday morning, report The Standard.

And their availability will come as a major boost to Mikel Arteta, there was no sign of Viktor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz, both of whom were also doubts for the game.

Both Odegaard and Martinelli have been sidelined since October, while Madueke - a summer signing from Chelsea - last played in September.

Calafiori was also a doubt heading into the weekend after he pulled out of the Italy squad. The all-action left-back has been struggling with a hip injury.

Arteta was giving little away on Friday when he was asked if any of the Gunners' key men would be back from injury for the derby. “We put a lot of energy during the international break, with all the medical staff as well, to try to bring them [back] as quick as possible,” he said.

“So, tomorrow we have another training session, see how some of them are feeling, whether it is a bit too close to bring them into this game or we feel they can have a contribution in the game. Tomorrow we will have more clarity.

“It is the final stage and now it is when there is contact around them, when they have to be pushing to do very unpredictable things that they haven’t done. I think they are going to be with us soon. I don’t know if Sunday is going to be too soon.”

Martin Odegaard has been missing for Arsenal in recent weeks due to injury, but the Gunners captain has offered an update on his return ahead of the North London Derby against Tottenham

Martin Odegaard has stated he is "getting closer" to a comeback from injury ahead of Arsenal's showdown with Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners are set to welcome Spurs for the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, as they look to widen their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal currently hold a three-point advantage over Chelsea in the league standings, and it remains uncertain whether Odegaard will be fit to face Tottenham.

The Norwegian international has returned to training for the first time since sustaining his injury, having been sidelined for each of Arsenal's last seven matches across all competitions.

Ahead of the North London Derby against Tottenham, Odegaard has provided an update on his recovery, suggesting that his return to action may not be too far off, reports football.london.

"This week I’ve been working really hard on my rehab – it’s going very well. I can feel I’m getting closer every day and getting towards the final stages where it's a lot more exciting," wrote Odegaard in his programme notes for the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.

"I’ve been doing some pitch work and training, so I really feel like I'm getting there. That's the best part of the rehab, when you're getting closer to joining the team, you can do a lot more on the pitch and you can be more aggressive in the rehab.

"I feel like I'm getting stronger and stronger. I can't wait to be back now, we're on a good path and it's looking good. I'm really excited.

"I guess that's one of the good things about being injured. You get hungrier and more excited to play football again.

"That's the good part of it, I’m desperate to get going again."

Arsenal will still face several injury worries when they take on Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a muscle during the international break whilst featuring in Brazil's friendly match against Senegal.

Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain sidelined for the Gunners. Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori could all return from their respective injuries for the North London Derby.

Arsenal will be determined to secure all three points against Tottenham, having seen Manchester City and Liverpool both lose on Saturday to give their title hopes a major boost.

People will be waiting for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to slip up - but it won't happen

Pundits are already recalling Arsenal blowing leads in the title race and all eyes will be on them as they have the chance to go six points clear at the Premier League summit on Sunday

Ever since we all began publishing league tables after one round of games, reading too much into early season fixtures has become an increasingly infectious disease. Twelve match days into the Premier League and Nottingham Forest are on their third manager, for goodness sake.

After the Manchester United-Everton contest completes the latest set of games, every team will have 26 left. There will be a long, long way to go. So, why does the North London derby somehow feel particularly significant for Mikel Arteta?

Well, there is a simple answer. Until his Arsenal team have an unassailable lead at the top of the Premier League table, every game will be particularly significant for Arteta.

Eleven matches in for Arsenal and it is already squeaky bum time. Considering the Gunners have not lost a Premier League game since August 31 - the 1-0 reverse at Anfield their only defeat in any competition this season - that is a faintly ludicrous thing to say.

But so many people are saying if Arsenal fail to win it this season, then Arteta will never have a better chance. And, particularly after the failure to win from a leading position in 2022-23, those same people will be looking long and hard for any sign of fallibility on Arteta’s or Arsenal’s part.

And the good news for Arsenal fans is that they will struggle to find one. Yes, the loss to injury of Gabriel, a supreme operator at the heart of defence this season, is a blow (although not as long-term a blow as was first feared) but Arteta now has a squad that can cope with physical setbacks.

Because of the patience shown by the club, Arteta has nurtured a squad that is a nice balance of new blood and ideas with youngsters who are maturing rapidly and great talent that has become nicely familiar with Arteta’s way of working. Players are being tied down to new contracts, the academy production line is whirring with quality and there is a tactical continuity, whatever eleven Arteta fields.

Never mind the minor blip at Sunderland last time out, this looks like an Arsenal team AND manager that has taken the final steps into title-winning maturity. But it has taken a while.

And that is something those who now make the executive decisions at Spurs should bear in mind. Patience is the new knee-jerk.

Thomas Frank has shown himself to be a fine long-term planner during his time at Brentford. And his start at Spurs has been steady rather than spectacular, although steady is what was required by those upstairs after the year of Big Ange.

It might not be what was required by sections of the fanbase but Frank comes across as a manager whose real impact will be slow-burning. So far, there have not been too many attacking pyrotechnics in his Tottenham reign but his side have conceded less than a goal a game, compared to the average of 1.7 per game under Postecoglou last season.

That is what good managers do. Make sure the foundations are sorted first. Again, that will take patience, the same patience shown towards Arteta.

From the outside, of course, a lot of pundits will judge Arteta game by game, waiting for signs that Arsenal might again allow a fine title opportunity slip by. And that is why this North London derby seems to be carrying even more significance than usual.

But almost six years after he walked through the managerial door at Arsenal, Arteta cuts a different character. He is comfortable, he has matured, he is calmer.

And, more importantly, he has a squad that can deal with setbacks … even if one of them arrived in the form of a North London derby defeat at the Emirates. By the very fact each club will have 26 games remaining, the title race will still be wide open after this latest round of fixtures. But whatever happens, Arteta and Arsenal will stay calm.

Arsenal head into Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham as the Premier League leaders and firm favourites, but former defender Sol Campbell has a warning for them

Arsenal should be wary of underestimating Tottenham in the north London derby, despite the Gunners coming into the match as clear favourites, according to Sol Campbell. Mikel Arteta’s side are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, eight points better off than their rivals, but injuries have helped level the playing field.

Arsenal will be without star centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes for the 4.30pm kick-off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, while there are question marks over Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners did the double over Spurs in the league last season, winning 2-1 at home and 1-0 away. They have, in fact, won three in a row and five of the last six in the Premier League and have a fantastic home record in north London derbies, with just one defeat in the last 32 league games – and that came way back in November 2010.

Everything would appear to point to an Arsenal victory, but Campbell – who famously played for both clubs – has called on the Gunners to keep their concentration. “They (Spurs) have got nothing to lose, and so the defenders have to counteract that and make sure they're ready for the game because sometimes when you’ve got nothing to lose, you do things in certain scenarios,” he told Football London on behalf of Paddy Power.

“You do this run, but you probably never usually do that type of run, and you can surprise. That's the thing with a team that’s looking to upset, they're willing to try things. And sometimes you can't always predict, and that's the thing. I think Arsenal have to be wary that they have nothing to lose, and that's a scary place to be in.

“You've got to handle that because, if they lose two or three nil, who cares? But they might nick a 2-1 win, and that changes the whole perspective of the league.”

Gabriel is expected to be out until January with the thigh injury he suffered while away on international duty with Brazil. The centre-back is a key piece of the Europe’s best defence, which has conceded just five times in 11 league games, but Campbell believes their squad depth should see their momentum continue after the international break.

“This is a special moment when you've got a great squad, you've got a great mentality,” he said. “The manager has acquired and forged this top team from great products of the youth system to buy really cleverly in the market, and they know there's no time to switch off anymore.

“They've got to keep this momentum going because momentum can just go like a flash if you do not respect it, and I think everyone's on it, on and off the field. I think they're looking after themselves because they know how important it is.”

Arsenal are gearing up to face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on Sunday

Arsenal are preparing for the first north London derby of the season as the Premier League returns this weekend. The Gunners entered the third international break of the season as the table toppers and will stay there whatever happens across Saturday and Sunday.

Despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland earlier this month, their lead over second-placed Manchester City remained. The Gunners are now firmly aiming to win the Premier League title after three consecutive second-placed finishes in the last three years.

Arsenal have garnered praise for their squad depth this season. However, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been called on to sanction the loan of one star who has been out of the first team this season.

In other news, Arsenal could be set to make a handsome profit through a former player. Mirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest Arsenal news.

Arteta told to make move

Arteta has been told that he should sanction the loan departure of Ethan Nwaneri, with the youngster's development being hampered by a lack of minutes this season.

The teenager was the Premier League's youngest ever player when he made his debut in 2022 and has continued to shine when given the opportunity. However, the arrival of the likes of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze has pushed Nwaneri, who scored nine times across 37 appearances last season, further down the pecking order.

It is understood that Arsenal would be open to letting the 18-year-old head out temporarily. Ex-Gunner Lauren insists it will be good for Nwaneri - and potentially for Arsenal's other teenage star, Max Dowman - to leave the Emirates on loan.

He said: "First of all, youngsters have to play to able to develop and improve his qualities. We know about his qualities. A young player needs to play if he is to develop. At this moment of time, it’s very difficult for him to pop up into the team because there is a top player now.

"There are more good players in the last third so for him it’s more difficult, and it’s the same with Dowman. It’s not a bad idea to go on loan and then to play the games that you need to develop. Maybe he might come back. It’s not the end of the world. I believe it could be a good option for a youngster to move along and then come back later on."

Gunners in line for profit

Arsenal are in line for tidy profit as former right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy attracts interest from a number of elite Italian clubs. The England U21 international left the Gunners for Genoa in August 2024 in a deal worth an initial £1.75million plus a further £1.75m in bonuses.

Norton-Cuffy has caught the eye in Serie A, playing every minute of Genoa's league campaign to date. His displays have been said to have made forced Inter Milan and Juventus to sit up and take notice.

If Norton-Cuffy was to make a switch, Arsenal would be due an undisclosed cut of the fee after they negotiated a sell-on clause with Genoa.

Current Italian champions Napoli have also been credited with an interest amid unconfirmed reports that Antonio Conte's side have already seen a verbal offer worth in the region of £8.8m turned down.

Norton-Cuffy spent time on loan at Lincoln City, Rotherham United, Coventry City and Millwall before moving to Genoa. There was also interest from a series of French and Bundesliga clubs when he made the decision to depart the Gunners in 2024.

Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha has been speaking ahead of the North London Derby and he is adamant Spurs are going to the Emirates Stadium for all three points

Joao Palhinha claims only a win will do for Tottenham in the North London Derby - even if the pressure is ALL on Arsenal.

The Portuguese stalwart is striving to provide the steel to inspire Spurs' first away Premier League victory over their rivals since November 2010.

Palhinha said ahead of today's crunch meeting: "I think it’s a bit of a similar feeling to when we played PSG in the Super Cup because they beat everyone at that moment.

"They won the league, they won the Champions League, everything that they could have and when you have these teams that are in the top moment, top form, I think the pressure is probably more on their side than us.

"I think we need to recognise their form and then their talent because if they are in the position they are in the moment then they deserve it, completely.

"But we know what we can do, we are really capable to give our best in that game and hopefully we can reach what we really want now, which is the victory. "We don’t want to draw, we just want to focus on the victory because this team is together and we push each other all the time. We know it will be difficult, of course."

Tottenham remain unbeaten on the road in the Premier League this season and no top-flight side has claimed more points than Thomas Frank's men (13) on their travels.

Not only does Palhinha intend to preserve that record but he's also out to prove his critics wrong after recently receiving flak from Jamie Carragher for being "too negative" on the ball.

He continued: "I saw it because some people sent it to me, I couldn’t say that I didn’t see it. But to be honest, about this, what can I say? I don’t care what the people say.

“If he says bad things about [Cristiano] Ronaldo, he can speak about everyone. Some people need to speak about another to be on the screens on the TV. My life is not about that, definitely.

“It makes it a bit embarrassing seeing sometimes the ex-players speaking that the way that they speak and they look sometimes like superstars on their past, I don’t have problems to say.

“I think he should have seen probably more games of me at Tottenham. I think I am doing a top season and the things that he says about me go to the back [of my mind].

“But he’s not going to be the first and he’s not going to be the last one, you know?

“The way is about how we react. And the way I react is scoring a goal, after he said this to me, against Copenhagen.

“I will keep showing how I can do it. I don’t need to give these answers, but that’s what I feel. I don’t really care about this kind of thing. It’s not important for me.

“I just want to keep doing my job and show what I am capable of doing because I am really proud of what I have been doing until now."

One of the Premier League's most exciting talents, Bukayo Saka has been with Arsenal since he was seven years old and the Gunners forward has been reflecting on his story

Bukayo Saka has looked back on his footballing journey as Arsenal gear up for the North London Derby. The Gunners will be desperate to stretch their advantage at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

The 24-year-old winger has been embedded within the Arsenal setup since arriving at the club's prestigious Hale End academy aged just seven. Since those early days, Saka has blossomed into one of Mikel Arteta's most vital players and regularly dons the captain's armband on the pitch.

The Ealing-born maestro made his Arsenal debut roughly 12 months before Arteta's appointment. Now, having operated under the Gunners' gaffer for nearly six seasons, Saka has transformed into one of England's top players.

Throughout his professional career, Saka has remained loyal to just one club – Arsenal. Despite achieving remarkable success in the Premier League and across European competitions, the club's No. 7 remains grounded about his humble beginnings.

Chatting to BBC Sport's Kelly Somers, Saka said: "Playing in my back garden with my brother and my dad. It was 2 v 1, actually. It was me against them, and they're both older than me.

"I would never lose. I would not accept it. I would cry, I would do anything, and that started young."

When asked about his earliest memories, without hesitation, Saka said: "Greenford Celtic. I remember everything, from the kit to the games. The kit was green stripes with white stripes – it had like a Celtic logo.

"We used to play in a local park, after the game – boots muddied completely and you'd have to slap them against the trees. Proper football.

"I remember everything. It was a really important chapter of my life and I enjoyed it."

Saka was questioned about the moment he realised he could pursue a professional career in football. He said: "You can be humble and also believe that you're good as well.

"I think there's nothing wrong with both and they can both be together. And I think I had that from young, but I just never thought about it.

"I was just enjoying the game and I was good at it. So it made it even more fun."

Selecting the right club represents one of the most crucial decisions any aspiring young footballer can make. It's a decision that has the power to define an entire career.

However, for Saka, the choice would always be Arsenal. He continued: "I remember my dad telling me I got scouted because it was different... You got a scout card – scouts would have come to watch you at a local team... and they gave my dad a card and said: 'Call me, we'll set up a trial.'

"So I remember first coming into Hale End – my first trial. I didn't even feel an ounce of fear. I was just like, 'I'm just going to play football, just enjoy it,' and I played so good.

"I think I trialled at the B team. I played so good they put me in the A team, and from there signed and I've been at Arsenal ever since.

"Yeah [it was always Arsenal]. Well at that point of my career, the decisions were more made by your parents. You're just a kid, you don't really, do you know what I'm saying? My dad made it clear to me 'Arsenal is the club I want you at', and I said: 'OK, let's go.'"

This Sunday, Saka will aim to achieve what every budding Arsenal academy star fantasises about – defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.

Mikel Arteta has four big decisions to make ahead of the north London derby, with Arsenal set to host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon

Mikel Arteta has four big decisions to make ahead of the North London Derby. Arsenal are set to host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with both teams eager to get back to winning ways.

Before the international break, Sunderland managed to hold the Gunners to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. The Lilywhites also dropped points, losing a stoppage-time lead to Manchester United on home turf. Since Arteta took over from Unai Emery, Arsenal have only been defeated by Tottenham three times, two of which were during the Spaniard's debut season.

The third and most recent loss to Spurs was in May 2022, when Harry Kane knocked the Gunners out of the race for Champions League qualification.

Arsenal have won five of their six encounters with the Lilywhites since then. This weekend, the Premier League leaders have the chance to secure a fourth consecutive victory against Tottenham for the first time since 1989.

So, with history on the line, Mirror Sport has looked at four crucial decisions that could tip the balance in Arteta's favour.

Arteta picks Gabriel replacement

Gabriel Magalhaes sustained a thigh injury during the international break. The 27 year old defender was forced to withdraw during Brazil's 2-0 friendly victory over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday.

Arteta has confirmed that the centre-back could be out for a few 'weeks', but luckily, he has plenty of options to choose from when selecting a new partner for William Saliba.

Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have shown great potential since joining the Gunners from Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen respectively in the summer transfer window. Jurrien Timber and Ben White could also step in for Gabriel in the backline, although they're often preferred at right-back.

Arsenal trio fight for starring role

With Viktor Gyokeres potentially missing the north London derby, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Leandro Trossard will have been hoping to impress Arteta in training this week. The first of the three is the only natural striker on paper, although he's recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff.

Jesus has only just returned to first-team training as he looks to regain his fitness following an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Merino has impressed whenever he's been asked to lead the frontline, while Trossard's knack for scoring makes him a strong contender for the vacancy up top.

Lewis-Skelly battles for Arsenal chance

Riccardo Calafiori missed each of Italy's final World Cup qualifiers due to injury. With doubts over the 23 year old defender's availability, Arteta could give Myles Lewis-Skelly his first Premier League start of the season.

The Hale End graduate faces stiff competition for a starting spot, with Hincapie also able to operate at left-back. Timber has featured on the opposite flank previously, meaning he could provide cover for Calafiori as well.

Frank helps Arteta make Eze-y decision

Thomas Frank took a cheeky swipe at Eberechi Eze during his pre-match press conference. The Dane was questioned about whether he believed Tottenham had sealed a deal for the former Crystal Palace star before Arsenal pounced.

"Who's Eze?" replied Frank with a deadpan expression. Following a brief and uncomfortable pause, the Spurs manager finished the joke and said: "Very good player. He plays for Arsenal – a team we want to beat on Sunday."

Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke are both nearing returns from injury lay-offs. While it's unlikely they'll start on Sunday afternoon, Frank's comment will have provided Eze with the motivation he needs to inspire Arsenal to triumph.

Thomas Frank has spoken about the direction Tottenham Hotspur are taking on and off the pitch as the club gears up to take on Arsenal in the north London derby

Everything you need to know about Thomas Frank's Arsenal pre-match press conference

Owner ambition & backing: Tottenham coach Thomas Frank is optimistic about the club's future direction under the current Lewis family ownership structure. He confidently believes the owners are committed for the long term and will provide the financial backing necessary to build a successful team.

Ownership structure change: The Lewis family, specifically siblings Vivienne and Charles Lewis and the former's son-in-law Nick Beucher, have taken a more prominent role. This new group is now actively supporting the club and CEO Vinai Venkatesham, following the exit of long-time chairman Daniel Levy.

Investment details: The Lewis family has already demonstrated their commitment by injecting a substantial £100 million into the club's finances. Further financial support is anticipated to help Spurs close the gap with the biggest-spending clubs at the top of the league.

The £100m transfer question: While confident in the owner’s ambition, Frank suggested that Tottenham signing a single £100 million player remains unlikely in the immediate future, following comments previously made by Ange Postecoglou. He expressed certainty that such a massive investment will happen someday, but stressed that the club is not close to that level of spending right now.

Player development philosophy: Frank emphasised that long-term success requires a balance of time, process, and smart investment, not just large-scale purchases. He advocated for the importance of developing existing players effectively, citing Liverpool and Manchester City as examples of clubs that didn't solely rely on signing the most expensive talent.

North London Derby: Those comments were made in the context of the club preparing to face their fierce rivals, Arsenal, who currently sit at the top of the league table. Frank added a touch of humour by jokingly referring to former Brentford stars David Raya and Christian Norgaard, now playing for Arsenal, as "traitors."

Significant Injury boost: Thomas Frank delivered positive news regarding the squad's availability just ahead of the Super Sunday clash. Crucially, eight of the club's 12 previously unavailable players are back in contention, including Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, and Randal Kolo Muani.

Set-Piece focus: Frank also addressed the tactical battle that will take place on Sunday, with both teams showing a heavy focus on the effectiveness of set pieces. Frank noted that the increased, league-wide emphasis on this phase of play, including long throws, may have been inspired by his coaching work at Brentford.