Overview
- Initial assessments point to a minimum four‑week absence for Gabriel Magalhães, with some reports suggesting the layoff could run into January, leaving him likely to miss Tottenham and Bayern Munich.
- Michael Oliver has been appointed to referee the derby, a decision drawing scrutiny after PGMOL chief Howard Webb confirmed Oliver's previous red card for Myles Lewis‑Skelly was wrong and later overturned.
- Mikel Arteta’s centre‑back cover includes Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié, with Riccardo Calafiori also an option if fit to feature.
- Arsenal’s mixed fitness picture shows Gabriel Jesus back in first‑team training, Kai Havertz experiencing a minor relapse with a return targeted toward the year’s end, and uncertainty persisting over Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Ødegaard.
- Tottenham travel with discipline concerns, with captain Cristian Romero one booking from suspension, as Arsenal protect a four‑point Premier League lead.