North London Derby: How Arsenal Could Line Up vs Tottenham Amid Injury Crisis

• Arsenal are facing a big injury crisis as they prepare to battle Tottenham this week in the North London derby
• The Gunners could be without as many as eight first-team players, with Thomas Partey among the key players out injured
• The dire situation could force Mikel Arteta to name a makeshift squad to take on Tottenham as they hope to cement their place at the top of the standings

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is staring at a major injury crisis ahead of his side's Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Gunners are scheduled to host Spurs on Saturday, October 1, at the Emirates Stadium in this season's first North London derby.

The match comes at a time the Emirates Stadium-based outfit are facing a major injury crisis.

Arteta is facing the prospect of missing the services of as many as eight first-team players, with Thomas Partey headline a list of players currently on the treatment table.

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According to The Mirror, the dire situation has left Arteta's squad looking worryingly thin in key areas ahead of the crucial fixture.

This would see the Spaniard assemble a makeshift squad as he hopes to lead his charges to victory against Antonio Conte's men.

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Despite not featuring for England during the international break, Aaron Ramsdale is Arsenal's undisputed No.1.

The Englishman is therefore expected to keep his place between the sticks during Tottenham's visit.

However, Arteta's biggest headache is how his backline will look, with four of his defenders in a race against time to be fit.

Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all injured, with William Saliba the only available starter in defence.

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As such, Arteta could possibly partner Gabriel and Rob Holding at the heart of defence, with Saliba and Cedric Soares playing on either flank.

In midfield, Granit Xhaka is expected to keep his place, with Lokonga and Vieira possibly joining the Swiss star in the middle of the park.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to join Gabriel Jesus in the hunt for goals.