Arsenal Dealt Major Injury Blow Ahead Of Tottenham Trip But Key Man Expected To Be Fit

Arsenal are set to be without Petr Cech for Saturday’s clash with Tottenham but Nacho Monreal is expected to be fit for the trip to Wembley, according to the Telegraph.

Cech has started in every Premier League game for Arsenal so far this season and once again took his place between the sticks during Saturday night’s 5-1 victory over Everton.

The Czech international was forced off midway through the second half after landing awkwardly but Arsene Wenger initially hoped it was only a dead leg and his number one would make a swift recovery.

However, the Telegraph claim Cech’s calf problem is more serious than first thought and the 35-year-old is now expected to miss this weekend’s huge North London Derby with Tottenham.

If Cech is ruled out, then it means David Ospina is in-line to make his first league start of the season having played exclusively in the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup so far this campaign.

Cech’s absence will be a blow to Arsenal, however, they do have more positive news on Monreal as the Telegraph claim the defender is expected to be available for the trip to Wembley on Saturday lunchtime.

Monreal was substituted at half-time during Arsenal’s win over Everton but the newspaper says it was only due to illness so the Spaniard is set to recover in time to face Spurs.

It will be a big relief for Wenger to have Monreal available as the 31-year-old has been a key player for Arsenal this season and he’s chipped in with 2 goals and 2 assists in his last three appearances.

Arsenal head in to the weekend action sitting four points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham and a further point behind fourth-placed Chelsea so they desperately need a positive result against their rivals to stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification.