Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in the latest edition of the North London Derby on Saturday and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has revealed his team news ahead of the mammoth Premier League clash.
“Basically, we should have a similar squad to what we had last week against Everton,” Wenger stated at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Wenger admitted forward Danny Welbeck was still an injury doubt, with a muscular issue making it touch-and-go for the Englishman.
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Regular keeper Petr Cech was forced off with a calf injury during the Gunners’ 5-1 win over Everton on the weekend and Wenger wasn’t sure whether the veteran would as he stated, “We had a few problems with Petr Cech, who we are not sure about at the moment because he’s not trained. I don’t know if he will be available”.
There was good news for Arsenal fans, however, as the French tactician revealed in-form fullback Nacho Monreal was fit and in contention to start the derby after coming off at half-time during their resounding win over the Toffees.
In the event Cech is unable to recover in time, David Ospina will get the nod in goal, Wenger confirmed.
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“I will not take any risk if he’s (Cech) not 100 per cent fit, for sure, because I have full confidence in David Ospina,” Wenger added as he insisted the South American custodian would be able to cope with the high-stakes game at Wembley Stadium.
Long-term injury absentee Santi Cazorla remains sidelined for the clash and there was no fresh update on his rehabilitation.
Both Arsenal and Spurs are out of contention for the Premier League title, but are in the race for the top-four and the Gunners can come to within a point of the fifth-ranked Lilywhites if they beat their crosstown rivals on Saturday.