DERBY IN DOUBT AFTER ARSENAL CUP EXERTIONS

ARTETA FACES HAVING JUST 12 FIT OUTFIELD PLAYERS AS PROBLEMS WORSEN FOLLOWING GOALLESS CUP TIE

- Simon Collings

ARSENAL were today assessing the damage done to their squad after last night’s draw with Liverpool, amid fears Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham could be postponed.

The Gunners were already short on numbers ahead of last night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield, which finished 0-0, and their problems were worsened after Granit Xhaka was sent off and Bukayo Saka and Cedric Soares were forced to come off with possible injuries.

It leaves Arsenal facing the prospect of having just 12 first-team outfield players available for Sunday’s game at Tottenham. Premier League guidance states clubs must have 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper.

The players were due to report to their London Colney base this afternoon for training. They were set to undergo a round of Covid-19 testing and Arsenal have had at least one squad member test positive for the virus before each of their previous six games. Martin Odegaard tested positive ahead of the Liverpool game and will miss Sunday’s derby.

Cedric and Saka were due to be assessed today by medical staff after limping off last night, while Emile Smith Rowe (groin), Sead Kolasinac (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) will all be checked after missing last night’s tie.