Mikel Arteta does not rule out Arsenal's Martin Odegaard for the north London derby, while Micky van de Ven is expected to return for Spurs | Football news

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out Martin Odegaard for Sunday's north London derby, while Micky van de Ven is expected to return for Tottenham.

Arteta's comments come as a surprise after Odegaard sustained an ankle injury with Norway during the international break, which the team doctor said would likely take three weeks to heal.

Sunday, September 15, 1:00 p.m.

Start 2:00 p.m.

Arteta, who is already without Declan Rice (suspended) and Mikel Merino (injury), insists Odegaard could still be available for Spurs' trip.

He said: “We still need some tests. Let's see what happens in the next few days.” [It will be Friday] probably in the afternoon. Let's see how bad the injury is and how quickly we can get him back. Martin wants to be here every day, but we have to wait and see.

“I'll leave that to the doctor. He's willing and wants to be there for every game. We first have to make sure we know how good he is or not.”

“Players with 48 hours are always available. Let's see what happens.”

Gabriel Jesus has missed Arsenal's last two games with a groin injury but should be back if he completes training sessions ahead of Sunday's game.

Meanwhile, new signing Riccardo Calafiori will be assessed over the weekend before a decision is made on his availability.

Spurs are expected to have Van de Ven and Dominic Solanke fit for Sunday's game against Arsenal after missing the defeat at Newcastle before the international break.

Yves Bissouma is called up at short notice after he suffered a problem during his international match for Mali.

“Micky is fine, he has been training throughout the international break and it has been good for him to stay with us to rebuild him so he is ready,” Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou told the club's official website.

“Dom has also improved and has been training for the second half of this week. We have two more days with the boys so we hope they get through training well and are available.”

Regarding Bissouma, Postecoglou said: “He has a small problem, but we will take a closer look at him in the next few days and see how it goes.”

Will Arsenal’s next seven games define the season?

15 September: Tottenham (A), Premier League, live on Sky SportsKick-off 2pm

19 September: Atalanta (A), Champions League, kick-off 8pm

22 September: Man City (A), Premier League, live on Sky SportsKick-off 4.30pm

25 September: Bolton (H), Carabao Cup, third round, live on Sky Sports+Kick-off 7.45pm

28 September: Leicester (H), Premier League, kick-off 3:00 p.m.

October 1: Paris Saint-Germain (H), Champions League, kick-off 8pm

October 5: Southampton (H), Premier League, kick-off 3:00 p.m.

Arsenal to wear away kit at Tottenham

The Premier League has decided that arsenal must wear their away jersey during the trip this weekend to Tottenhamlive on Sky Sportsdue to a jersey conflict with Spurs.

The Gunners always wear their traditional red and white home kit for the two north London derbies. However, the Premier League and referees' association PGMOL have ruled that Arsenal's current home kit “features too much white and therefore clashes with Tottenham's traditional colours”.

Arsenal will therefore wear their black away kit for this Sunday's match. The Premier League has also ruled that Tottenham must also wear their away kit for their trip to the Emirates in January.