Mikel Arteta admits North London derby could be called off | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he has doubts over whether this weekend’s North London derby will go on as Arsenal are worryingly short on available first-team players.

With Bukayo Saka and Cedric both coming off against Liverpool in their 0-0 EFL Cup first-leg semi-final draw, the Gunners could be left with just 12 available outfield players.

The Premier League rules state that teams must be able to field at least 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper in order for a match to take place.

“It is a possibility in every game,” Arteta said after the match. “From our side, from the opponents’ side, because of the amount of issues everyone is having, and because it is happening every week.

“We try to prepare games thinking we are going to play. If something happens along the way, it is what it is.”

Despite their short numbers and Granit Xhaka being sent off just 24 minutes into proceedings, Arsenal somehow managed to salvage a scoreless draw.

“We revel against the situation,” Arteta said. “The players showed great fight, determination, brotherhood. You saw the emotion, we never gave up. Credit to the boys.

“I don’t know if the red card inspired them but it took the fight. You need a certain attitude to play in these games and the boys did that.

“We played the game we had to play, which is not our game. I have not seen it back, they checked it, so [it is] probably a red card.”

Even if Tottenham and Arsenal can’t go toe-to-toe on Sunday, Arsenal will still heavily prepare for next week’s all-important second leg.