Arsenal handed major injury boost for Tottenham derby clash after Gabriel update

Arsenal have several injury worries ahead of the weekend’s Premier League clash against north London rivals Tottenham as Mikel Arteta prepares his squad for the match.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has reportedly returned to full training ahead of the North London Derby in a major boost for Mikel Arteta.

The influential midfielder – and captain – has missed the last seven matches with a knee injury he suffered during the 2-0 win over West Ham last month. The Sun report that he could be available in time for this weekend’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur after returning to training.

Arsenal host rivals Spurs at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm) as they attempt to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners have earned 26 points from their opening 11 games this season, while they currently sit four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

The showdown vs Tottenham will give them a chance to bounce back after the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland before November’s international break.

A potential return of Odegarrd will give the team a big boost ahead of the match, with the captain a key player under Arteta since his arrival from Real Madrid.

While he was unable to feature for Norway in the international break, Odegaard did join up with his international teammates to celebrate qualification for the World Cup – he turned down the chance to take a few days break to show his support.

It also gave him a chance to provide a positive injury update of his own to local outlets.

Speaking with TV2, he said: “It’s moving forward. The match today came a little too early… But it’s starting to look better, so hopefully I’ll be back soon.”

The positive news for Odegaard comes at the end of an international break which has brought further set-backs.

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been added to the injury list after suffering an injury while in action for Brazil in their friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium. Brazil have since confirmed that the problem was a muscle in his right thigh.

He will join Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as all being major doubts for the game against Spurs.

Despite withdrawing from international duty with Italy, though, it’s being reported full-back Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be fit enough to be able to feature for Arsenal against their arch rivals this weekend.