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Cole Palmer faces a lay-off for Chelsea after fracturing a toe in an accident at home.
Pa Sport StaffSaturday 22 November 2025 04:30 GMT
open image in galleryArsenal will be without Gabriel for the north London derby (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Tottenham counterpart Thomas Frank are gearing up for Sunday’s north London derby while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is cooling expectations of a title challenge.
There is more injury woe for Cole Palmer.
Gabriel blow for Gunners
Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the north London derby with key defender Gabriel ruled out “for weeks”.
The 27-year-old, an ever-present this season in a Gunners side who have conceded just five Premier League goals, suffered a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil – while playing at the Emirates Stadium.
Boss Mikel Arteta has now confirmed Gabriel will not be available when Tottenham visit their fierce rivals later this weekend, or for the foreseeable future.
“Gabriel, unfortunately, picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team and he’s going to be out for weeks,” said Arteta.
“We need to have another scan – I think it’s next Wednesday – and we’ll have the timeline probably much more clear than we have at the moment.”
Frank expecting ‘madhouse’
Thomas Frank has warned Tottenham to prepare for a “madhouse” derby at Arsenal and plans to get the better of the “two traitors” in the opposition squad.
Spurs make the short trip across the capital on Sunday in search of only a second Premier League win at Emirates Stadium since it opened 19 years ago.
Frank claimed a point at Arsenal last season with Brentford and his first ever Premier League fixture in 2021 ended with a memorable 2-0 triumph, but two members of his starting line-up that night have since been signed by Mikel Arteta in David Raya and Christian Norgaard.
Reminded of that and the frenetic nature of this fixture, Frank smiled: “Two of them are now traitors and moved to the wrong club!
“The interesting thing is that probably both Mikel and I would like a little bit more control, but it will probably be a madhouse and very, very enjoyable to watch for the outside people or fans.”
Pep plays it cool
Manchester City will hope to cut the gap at the top of the Premier League to a single point with victory at Newcastle on Saturday – but Pep Guardiola is adamant it is too early in the campaign to be talking about the title race.
With leaders Arsenal not playing until they host local rivals Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, City can put the pressure on but Guardiola has been keen to play down any discussion of points differentials.
“We are in November, and in November in this league nothing is final,” Guardiola said. “What happens in February or March, be careful. But the season starts now. The first start is when the transfer window is over in the summer. And now again when the international breaks are over.
“Now until March we see each other every three days. Now the real season starts. It is important to be there and to arrive at the end of the season with a chance to fight. Winning (in Newcastle) would be an important step for us.”
Palmer suffers more woe
Cole Palmer faces another spell on the sidelines after fracturing his toe in an accident at home.
The Chelsea forward had just returned to training after two months out with a groin injury.
“He is probably not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure,” said Maresca.
“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe but it is nothing important – but he won’t be back in the next week.”
What’s on today?
The Premier League returns to action after the international break, with Chelsea visiting Burnley in the lunchtime kick-off. Liverpool host Nottingham Forest while Rob Edwards begins his Wolves reign at home to Crystal Palace and Manchester City visit Newcastle in the tea-time kick-off.
Rangers and Celtic are both in action in the Scottish Premiership while Championship leaders Coventry take on West Brom in a midlands derby.
