Arsenal Wish Granted As North London Derby Is Postponed

Arsenal put in a request to have the game postponed due to a number of their players being unavailable, which the Premier League have granted.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been depleted in recent days with a number of injuries and suspensions taking a toll on the side.

The Gunners have also lost four players to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey representing their respective countries.

Arsenal’s injury issues exacerbated after Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool at Anfield, where Granit Xhaka was sent off and Bukayo Saka and Cedric Soares came away with injuries. Martin Odegaard is also sidelined with coronavirus.

A statement released by the Premier League on Saturday afternoon read: "Following a request from Arsenal, the Premier League board met today and regrettably agreed to postpone the club's away fixture against Tottenham.

"With Arsenal having fewer than the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper), the board accepted the club's application.

"The decision is a result of a combination of COVID-19, existing and recent injuries and players on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations."