Who will start for Arsenal in midfield as Rice and Odegaard miss out?

Following Martin Odegaard's injury, Arsenal may have to use a different midfield against Tottenham Hotspur. Declan Rice and Mikel Merino were already absent for Mikel Arteta's impending derby in north London. Declan Rice was sent off in Arsenal's match against Brighton prior to the international break, and as a result, he was suspended. Merino, the recent addition, will be sidelined for several months due to a strange training ground fall that injured his shoulder. 

However, ,Martin Odegaard will now also be sidelined for Arsenal due to an injury he sustained while playing for his country. After suffering an ankle injury during Norway's 2-1 victory over Austria, the Gunners skipper was helped off the pitch in tears.

After a 50/50 struggle, the 25-year-old went down; replays displayed his ankle rolling out from under his torso. Odegaard appeared upset as he was ejected from the pitch. It also implies that Arteta won't probably have him for Arsenal's crucial match against Spurs. With Rice and Merino out, Thomas Partey and Jorginho had previously been expected to start.

However, with Odegaard leaving as well, Kai Havertz might be compelled to move from his striker role and into a deeper role. Due to the sale of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham and the loan of Fabio Vieira to Porto, Arsenal does not have numerous alternatives in the creative 10.

What changes will Mikel Arteta make against Tottenham Hotspurs?

By using Leandro Trossard to serve as false nine, Mikel Arteta may be taking a chance and giving Raheem Sterling a chance to make his left-wing debut. If Havertz is really dropped deeper, Gabriel Jesus as well as Gabriel Martinelli will additionally be looking to capitalize.

The addition of teenage star Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted in the 2022–2023 campaign and only made a single appearance in the previous season, would have been an even more unconventional decision. One of Arteta's adaptable midfield defenders, such as Oleksandr Zinchenko or Jurrien Timber, might also be used in that position.