'It’s very difficult': Mikel Arteta suggests two Arsenal players may not be in his line-up to face Spurs tonight

By Sam Preston

Bukayo Saka is an injury doubt for Arsenal’s huge north London derby clash against Tottenham tonight, according to Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal boss Arteta told his pre-match press conference that Saka’s England teammate Ben White is also facing being out.

White has missed Arsenal’s last two Premier League games, which have both been won 2-1 against West Ham and Leeds.

Another win tonight would seal a Champions League spot for Arsenal, but Arteta has suggested White and Saka may not be fit to play.

Saka an injury doubt v Tottenham

When asked for Arsenal’s team news ahead of the huge game, Arteta said: “Thomas (Partey) is still out, Kieran (Tierney) is still out.

“With Ben, he is still a doubt, we have to assess him and see how he is feeling, which is much better. With Bukayo it’s the same.”

He was then asked how he rated both players’ chances of being fit for the game and replied: “It’s very difficult to rate with injuries, it’s just how they feel.

“That’s the last day that we can assess them and try to get the feeling, basically.”

Saka was a doubt before the aforementioned clash with Leeds but was fit to play in the game from the start and help his side get the win.

Are these just mind games from Arteta? He could have seen the chance to keep Tottenham guessing about the side they will be facing tonight.

It would be a major boost for Spurs and a big blow for Arsenal if Saka was out but on the face of it, this could just be Arteta trying to keep Antonio Conte on his toes.

White has to be more of a doubt given his recent absences, and it might be more of a risk to throw him back into such a big game.

That said, Tottenham use a back three and if Arteta is tempted to match that system up, he may need White, even if he is not fully fit.