The north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal is set to be postponed after the Premier League accepted a request from depleted Gunner side.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Friday that the Gunners had filed an application for the clash with bitter rivals Tottenham to be called off.
They have at least a dozen players unavailable because of positive Covid cases, injuries, suspension and international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
And the Premier League accepted Arsenal's request on Saturday, with Spurs likely to be furious as a result.
The rules state that clubs are required to fulfil Premier League fixtures provided they have 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper who are either part of the senior squad or 'appropriately experienced Under-21s.'
But Mikel Arteta's squad is so depleted they couldn't even muster that number of players for one of their biggest games of the season.
Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Elneny and Nicolas Pepe are away in Cameroon for the ongoing AFCON competition.
Granit Xhaka is suspended after his red card against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday night.
Martin Odegaard is the one known Covid case at the club but Calum Chambers, Cedric Soares, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka are all injury doubts.
The quantity of injury doubts raised suspicion at Tottenham and it also didn't go unnoticed that Arsenal let Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Folarin Balogun leave on loan in recent days.
Arsenal's Under-23 side were also in action on Friday night, drawing 1-1 with West Ham, with a potential argument some of those players could have been called into the senior squad by Arteta.
It is the second Premier League fixture to fall by the wayside this weekend after Saturday's Burnley vs Leicester City game was postponed.
real_laster
0
don't worry about my arsenal..we are still the north London we attack when the strong becomes weak..we're THE GUNNERS💪
rufulobr
0
Arsenal will end up losing this fixture against Spurs and dumped out of EFL and they will come up with whatever conspiracy again
soccikrsy
0
Wolves had 1 senior player on the bench on Saturday in adama the rest was academy players. Just because they carnt field a full strength squad they call it off. Load of BOLLOCKS. Should be deducted points. Every 1 else is in the same boat but they still play. Cheating cockney Twats.
Jeucdmsy
0
Look at Chelsea talking, Arsenal played Manchester city with 10 men and they won by penalty so they who is better team
Arsenal is better because they are UCL defending champions 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
chiday
0
You are the one who have mental health issues , not us Spurs fans and Supporters . A Cowards Scumbagg like you often's talk trashed . Arsenal Fan are "Ass anal brats" smoking weeds ..
U see🤣😂. Spur fans have no morals and I bet their mother was impregnated by her brother🤣😂
Sawbceimrz
0
we were equal at the beginning of the season and won the first Derby 3-1
witacdtyz
0
Liverpool lied about two cases and they were only missing 5 people total.
R u thick how can u lie I’ve had false ones and still got told t stay of work ur got 1 player with it rest r injured the law is if u can still put a team out wat the problem Man City had all babies on there bench
Hemabmrsuy
0
So Tottenham fans can talk that much too🤣🤣🤣 trophyless and futureless club..
Emelie042
0
Look at Chelsea talking, Arsenal played Manchester city with 10 men and they won by penalty so they who is better team
I can't wait for us to meet again
FRozenPoPcoRn72
0
Arsenal are not ready for Tottenham
Arsenal just trashed you last time kiddo🤫
FRozenPoPcoRn72
0
Pathetic losers
Talking about yout club's legacy?😂
AjumifredriQ
0
arteta pulling off a jurgen klopp
Dee_007
1
The excuses won’t matter when the match is being played..No disrespect to Tottenham, but at least they get an extra week to prep for their next opponent..
heebekmpr
0
honestly, I don't know why spurs fans are talking, you ppl that your defense is as whack broken barb wires, what gave you the impression that we are afraid of you, even if all other clubs fans are talking, shud tottenham fans also talk
the fact that arsenal wouldn't play even though tottenham is missing as many ley players makes arsenal look afraid. i mean seriously "we have one covid case so we have to postpone" what a true crisis!!
heebekmpr
0
shutup ur team is not even good so keep quiet
and what does it say about your team to be that afraid of a team that is not even good
elnilsen99
2
should throw light on these chapter. When arsenal had their full squad to play Liverpool and wolves it was postponed. yes arsenal rightfully mocked Liverpool of being afraid. and fair to them with 10men they didn't loose. come to think of arsenal playing with with the Japanese guy and ordegard and Smith row where both available and Liverpool played with a depleted squad?? when Liverpool where ready our team too had problems... but it was deepened by the xhaka red card. we can't stress those player's out just bcs we have to play Tottenham. and for you Spurs be prepared to play arsenal with your complete 11. let the defenders and Son (your best player) be available. I know for a fact he can't beat the Japanese guy one v one. and if partey plays then it's no contest cuz our attackers are far too good for the baby defenders you got. and for the rest of footballing fans blasting arsenal it's very normal. Arsenal did same but people shouldn't take it to heart. it's merely jibe. but Factoos you'll cry More cry 😭😭😭[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
laoaeikloy
0
Lol I just knew it
Look at Chelsea talking, Arsenal played Manchester city with 10 men and they won by penalty so they who is better team
Pitacls
0
Ohh... why dont you play B team...
Like u did when u got ur game against us postponed
Haoaimorz
0
arsenal are just afraid, guns with no bullets. you call your selves gunners but are never Ready
shutup ur team is not even good so keep quiet
febeklmpsy
2
arsenal are just afraid, guns with no bullets. you call your selves gunners but are never Ready
Fimbelm
0
honestly, I don't know why spurs fans are talking, you ppl that your defense is as whack broken barb wires, what gave you the impression that we are afraid of you, even if all other clubs fans are talking, shud tottenham fans also talk
You are afraid 😱 stop beating your chest now why couldn’t you talk before the match was postponed you know very well u were no match to us
Vadadekpu
1
Arsenal team's claimed Covid-19 to helps them ran away from Trashed by Spurs . Gooners F.C. Turn Coward F.C. ..
Vadadekpu
0
I notice all spurs fans worldwide either have mental issue or lack self esteem 🤞
You are the one who have mental health issues , not us Spurs fans and Supporters . A Cowards Scumbagg like you often's talk trashed . Arsenal Fan are "Ass anal brats" smoking weeds ..
vobilmotyz
5
Arsenal are cry babies, when you sign an African player you know they’ll likely play at afcon and why are they sending players on loan when they have injuries, stupidly run club
Emelie042
0
Lol I just knew it
Benikmor
0
Ohh... why dont you play B team...
Los_merengues_papi
0
No. I mean when did I ask?
I really don’t understand what you mean
Los_merengues_papi
0
No. I mean when did I ask?
When did you ask?
Criticaldamage
1
It’s supposed to be a double game week for spurs players 😅
No. I mean when did I ask?
Los_merengues_papi
0
When?
It’s supposed to be a double game week for spurs players 😅
Criticaldamage
0
Disgraceful
Yea Liverpool lied about two covid cases. Disgraceful
Criticaldamage
1
Y are arsenal fans not ashamed of this I remember them mocking Liverpool for doing the same thing
Liverpool lied about two cases and they were only missing 5 people total.
Criticaldamage
2
Where’s all the scumbags that were slabbing because Liverpool postponed the match due to Covid outbreak??? Arsenal don’t even have a Covid outbreak, 1 player ffs. You are all back in your wee box now hiding
Liverpool had 2 false positive statements. Arsenal don’t have any false statements
Criticaldamage
0
Hypocrisy at its peak 😅😂🤣
At least they aren’t lying about it
Criticaldamage
0
Damn it my fantasy premiere league points are going down because of this 🤬🤬🤬
When?
Los_merengues_papi
1
Damn it my fantasy premiere league points are going down because of this 🤬🤬🤬
Axhas
1
honestly, I don't know why spurs fans are talking, you ppl that your defense is as whack broken barb wires, what gave you the impression that we are afraid of you, even if all other clubs fans are talking, shud tottenham fans also talk
wiuanstu
2
a team like Chelsea can go for 90 mnt in any condition
Nedensyz
2
Pathetic losers
jasilruyz
0
Where’s all the scumbags that were slabbing because Liverpool postponed the match due to Covid outbreak??? Arsenal don’t even have a Covid outbreak, 1 player ffs. You are all back in your wee box now hiding
False positive tests??? Fk we have only 12 senior players
GatkekBol
0
Y did they do that ?
Zapcdmntu
1
Excellent and good planning
blessingmakjay
0
you couldn't beat 10 men Arsenal and you're here talking shame on you
Are you not ashamed of yourself for parking the bus
emmaudoak
0
I came to read comments by fans of both teams. So others can also ask for postponement?
Frankaay™
0
Arsenal really afraid of a squad that couldnt make it out of conference groups
[image]
Don't mind them 😅😂🤣
Frankaay™
0
Hypocrisy at its peak 😅😂🤣
Luyabdnpz
0
Where’s all the scumbags that were slabbing because Liverpool postponed the match due to Covid outbreak??? Arsenal don’t even have a Covid outbreak, 1 player ffs. You are all back in your wee box now hiding
setalprt
0
Afraid of not Spurs but Liverpool 🤣
Mosckno
1
hope edu and arteta should rush and at least sign 1 midfielder
chiday
1
I notice all spurs fans worldwide either have mental issue or lack self esteem 🤞