Tottenham have doubts about the severity of Martin Odegaard’s injury as Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta contemplates a tactical shift ahead of the North London Derby. Odegaard, who limped off injured during Norway’s match against Austria, is questionable for Sunday’s game, but Spurs believe there’s a strong chance he will play.
Despite Odegaard being seen on crutches, Tottenham aren’t fully convinced he’s as injured as reported. Arsenal faces a midfield crisis with Declan Rice suspended and Mikel Merino sidelined due to a shoulder injury suffered in his first training session. Merino is expected to be out for two months, while initial reports suggest Odegaard could be absent for around three weeks due to an ankle injury sustained during international duty.
However, according to *The Independent*, some within the Tottenham camp are skeptical about the seriousness of Odegaard’s condition. They believe he might still feature in the upcoming derby, partly because Arsenal delayed releasing any details despite having received scan results earlier in the week.
Arteta fueled speculation by not ruling out Odegaard’s participation. He said, “We need more tests. Let’s see what happens in the next day or so. Martin is very positive and wants to be involved.”
If Odegaard is unable to play, Arsenal could adopt an unusual tactical approach. Arteta may opt for a deeper, counter-attacking strategy, allowing Tottenham to dominate possession. Such a move would mark a significant shift for Arsenal, who typically enjoy around 56-60% possession in matches.
On the Spurs side, Dominic Solanke and Micky Van de Ven are expected to be available after recent injuries, but there’s uncertainty about Yves Bissouma’s fitness following his early exit during Mali’s match against Eswatini. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledged Bissouma’s issue but said they would assess him closer to the game. Richarlison, however, has been ruled out as he continues his recovery.
A win for Tottenham would propel them above Arsenal in the standings. Spurs currently sit 10th after winning only one of their first three matches, while Arsenal, who are fourth, remain undefeated with two wins and a draw.
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