(Reuters) – Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta stated Sunday’s North London derby in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur could be postponed as he could not have sufficient gamers accessible for the Premier League clash resulting from sickness and accidents.
Granit Xhaka was dominated out of the match after selecting up a purple card in Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool within the League Cup semi-final first leg whereas Cedric Soares, Bukayo Saka and Calum Chambers all sustained accidents.
Arsenal had been with out Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, and Nicolas Pepe who’re on worldwide obligation in Africa. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can be on the Africa Cup of Nations however has COVID-19 whereas Martin Odegaard is out with the sickness.
Asked whether or not Sunday’s recreation could be postponed, Arteta informed reporters: “I do not know, it is a chance.
“In each recreation, from our aspect, from the opponents’ aspect, due to the quantity of points everyone seems to be having and since it’s taking place each week.
“We attempt to put together video games considering we’re going to play. If one thing occurs alongside the best way, it’s what it’s.”
The Premier League solely grants a postponement if a membership has fewer than 14 gamers — 13 outfield gamers and one goalkeeper — accessible, with the board inspecting requests on a case-by-case foundation.
As many as 19 league matches have been postponed to this point this season resulting from COVID-19 instances in quite a lot of groups.
Arsenal are fifth within the league with 35 factors from 20 matches whereas Tottenham are two factors behind in sixth.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
