Arsenal have been handed a timely boost ahead of their crunch North London derby clash against Tottenham, according to Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal set for biggest game of the season against Spurs
Sunday could hardly matter more.
Arsenal travel to Tottenham sitting top of the Premier League, and a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would drive a potentially decisive gap between themselves and the chasing pack in the title race.
For Spurs, it is an entirely different kind of pressure — a new manager in the dugout, a shambolic injury list and a fan base desperate for something to cling to after a wretched few months.
Igor Tudor takes charge of his first fixture as Spurs boss, and they could barely have asked for a tougher introduction.
It is, in short, a game that both clubs desperately need and for entirely different reasons. And heading into the weekend, the fitness news from the Arsenal camp has given Arteta genuine cause for optimism.
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His return is still a little bit further down the line.
The Spaniard confirmed earlier this week that both captain Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are in contention to return against Spurs, but Arteta has now shared more good news.
The biggest scare in the days since Wednesday’s deeply frustrating 2-2 draw at Wolves centered around Leandro Trossard.
The Belgian came off the bench to replace Bukayo Saka midway through the second half, only to be caught by a blow to the jaw from Wolves defender Santiago Bueno in the closing stages.
A concussion substitution was immediately called, and Trossard was withdrawn for assessment.
Given the strict protocols surrounding head injuries — players must pass through a series of stages before being cleared to return to competitive action — so the concern was immediate and serious.
Trossard was therefore a doubt to face Tottenham this weekend as a result, but at his pre-match press conference today, the Arsenal boss delivered a welcome update.
Trossard clears concussion scare to boost Arsenal ahead of derby showdown
Trossard is in fact fine.
No concussion was confirmed, meaning the 31-year-old is free to feature this weekend without any protocol restrictions standing in his way.
“Yes,” said Arteta when asked if Trossard is ok for Sunday.
It is a significant boost.
Trossard has contributed five goals and five assists in the Premier League this season and offers Arteta a level of versatility and composure that is difficult to replace.
The good news did not stop there. Arteta revealed there is “a big possibility” that both Odegaard and Havertz will be available for Sunday.
Odegaard has been sidelined with a knee problem picked up at Brentford, while Havertz has been nursing a hamstring issue since the win over Sunderland earlier this month. Neither made the trip to Molineux in midweek.
Should both return, Arsenal’s squad suddenly looks considerably stronger than it did 48 hours ago.
Arteta also confirmed there are no fresh concerns, which points to Bukayo Saka being available after his own late withdrawal against Wolves.
Unfortunately for teenage sensation Max Dowman, the 16-year-old is still unlikely to feature despite returning to training this week.
Spurs, by contrast, are understood to be without at least 10 first-team players through injury and suspension, with doubts remaining over Richarlison and Pedro Porro ahead of final checks.
The stage is set. For Tudor, it is a baptism of fire. For Arteta and Arsenal, it is an opportunity they cannot afford to waste.
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