Mikel Arteta has wildcard Martin Odegaard Arsenal replacement for Tottenham - but there's a catch

Mikel Arteta may be tempted to alter his Arsenal system in order to cover for three potentially huge absences in this weekend's North London Derby against Tottenham. The Gunners head into the clash against their bitter rivals facing a midfield crisis with Mikel Merino and Declan Rice already set to be absent.

In the build up the 1-1 draw against Brighton, Merino suffered a shoulder injury which looks set to keep him out for a significant period. Rice meanwhile, was sent off in the clash against the Seagulls which means he now has to serve a one-match ban.

With two key midfielders unavailable, club captain Martin Odegaard could join the duo in missing out after he picked up an injury on international duty. The 25-year-old fell awkwardly on his ankle in a challenge with Austria's Christoph Baumgartner which saw left in pain on the ground and subsequently replaced.

Odegaard has returned to London today in order to undergo assessment but it does not look good, especially as he was pictured boarding a plane with crutches and without a shoe on his left foot. As such, not only will Arteta have to replace Rice in his starting XI, but the worst-case scenario would see him also need someone to come in for Odegaard.

Jorginho, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and even Ethan Nwaneri could be considered as options to form a three-man midfield with Thomas Partey. Each player listed will offer very different things to Arteta but he could instead opt for Jurrien Timber, given how often finds himself in midfield from left-back.

The Netherlands international is great on the ball, able to keep onto possession while under pressure and is certainly capable of making those line-breaking passes. Unfortunately, placing him in midfield would require a significant tactical rethink and also a replacement at left-back.

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Riccardo Calafiori seems the obvious defender to come in, especially with Takehiro Tomiyasu still injured, though he is carrying some fitness concerns of his own. The summer signing left Italy camp after picking up an issue in their 3-1 Nations League victory over France and though it may not be serious, Arteta may not want to take that chance.

Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko are alternatives with the former much more likely to start, if Timber plays in midfield, because of his superior defensive capabilities in comparison to Zinchenko. While inverting into midfield is very different to playing there for the full 90 minutes, Timber is a very talented footballer that can adapt.

Arteta may not want to take that risk in such a big game, but it could certainly be a wildcard option he is considering if Odegaard cannot make the clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.