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armory Boss Mikel Arteta and Tottenham counterparts Thomas Frank The Manchester City boss is preparing for Sunday’s North London derby pep guardiola Hopes for a title challenge are fading.
There’s more hurt to mourn cole palmer,
gabriel blow for gunners
Arsenal have been dealt a blow by injury ahead of the North London derby with key defender Gabriel ruled out “for weeks”.
The 27-year-old, who has been an ever-present in the Gunners team this season, has conceded just five goals Premier League Goal, while on international duty with Brazil, suffered a thigh injury while playing at the Emirates Stadium.
Boss Mikel Arteta has now confirmed that Gabriel will not be available when Tottenham visit their arch-rivals this weekend or in the near future.
“Unfortunately Gabriel suffered an injury with the Brazil national team and will be out for several weeks,” Arteta said.
“We need another scan – I think it’s next Wednesday – and we’ll probably have a clearer timeline than we have at the moment.”
Frank expects ‘madhouse’
Thomas Frank has warned Tottenham to prepare for a “madhouse” derby at Arsenal and plans to overcome “two traitors” in the opposition team.
Spurs made the short trip across the capital on Sunday in search of only a second Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium since it opened 19 years ago.
Frank claimed a point at Arsenal with Brentford last season and his first Premier League match in 2021 ended with a memorable 2-0 win, but two members of his starting line-up that night have been signed by Mikel Arteta in David Raya and Christian Norgaard.
Remembering him and the crazy nature of this match, Frank smiled: “Two of them are traitors now and have gone to the wrong club!
“The interesting thing is that maybe Mikael and I would both like a little more control, but it would probably be a madhouse and too much fun for outsiders or fans to watch.”
pep plays it cool
Manchester City will hope to reduce the gap at the top of the Premier League to one point with victory at Newcastle on Saturday – but Pep Guardiola is adamant it is too early in the campaign to be talking about a title race.
With leaders Arsenal not playing until they host local rivals Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, City could pile on the pressure but Guardiola is keen to play down any talk of points difference.
“We are in November, and nothing is final in this league in November,” Guardiola said. “What happens in February or March, be careful. But the season starts now. The first starts when the summer transfer window is over. And now again when the international breaks are over.
“From now until March we see each other every three days. Now the real season starts. It’s important to be there and get to the end of the season with a fighting chance. Winning (at Newcastle) will be an important step for us.”
Palmer suffers more
Cole Palmer was sidelined once more after fracturing his big toe in an accident at home.
The Chelsea forward had just returned to training after two months out with a groin injury.
“He’s probably not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure,” Maresca said.
“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home which injured his toe, but it’s nothing major – but he won’t be back next week.”
What’s going on today?
The Premier League resumes after the international break, with Chelsea visiting Burnley in a lunchtime kick-off. Liverpool host Nottingham Forest, while Rob Edwards begins his Wolves reign at Crystal Palace and Manchester City visits Newcastle in a tea-time kick-off.
Rangers and Celtic are both in action in the Scottish Premiership, while Championship leaders Coventry take on West Brom in the Midlands derby.