When the Arsenal team was announced for their game against Tottenham, everyone was looking to see if, as expected, Martin Odegaard would miss out, but his wasn’t the only name missing.

Norway's midfielder #10 Martin Odegaard and Austria's defender #15 Philipp Lienhart vie for the ball during the UEFA Nations League, League B, Group B3 football match Norway vs Austria at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Terje Pedersen / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT (Photo by TERJE PEDERSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)
Norway’s midfielder #10 Martin Odegaard and Austria’s defender #15 Philipp Lienhart vie for the ball during the UEFA Nations League, League B, Group B3 football match Norway vs Austria at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Terje Pedersen / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT (Photo by TERJE PEDERSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

As Arsenal confirmed their squad for the North London derby, Odegaard’s name was absent, the ankle problem he picked up on international duty set to rule him out for around a month.

Riccardo Calafiori was also missing with the same problem, picked up in the same way – on international duty.

Italy's defender #05 Riccardo Calafiori lies on the football pitch during the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Italy’s defender #05 Riccardo Calafiori lies on the football pitch during the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

With both players on crutches after their respective games, there was little hope they would return in time for the game against Spurs.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was also missing from the squad, the defender picking up yet another calf injury.

At the time of writing, little is known about how that happened or how long he is expected to be sidelined.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring during the penalty kick shootout against AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring during the penalty kick shootout against AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Since joining Arsenal, Zinchenko has dealt with numerous injury setbacks, primarily involving calf issues. Here’s a summary of his injuries:

  • 2023/24 season:
    • Calf problems (Feb 4 – Mar 8, 2024): Out for 33 days, missed six matches.
    • Calf problems (Dec 30, 2023 – Jan 18, 2024): Out for 19 days, missed two matches.
  • 2022/23 season:
    • Calf muscle tear (May 7 – Aug 18, 2023): Out for 103 days, missed six matches.
    • Unknown injury (Apr 14 – Apr 17, 2023): Out for three days, missed one match.
    • Calf injury (Sep 16 – Nov 1, 2022): Out for 46 days, missed 11 matches for Arsenal and Ukraine.
    • Knee problems (Aug 26 – Sep 3, 2022): Out for eight days, missed two matches.

That’s a total of 25 matches (not including the Tottenham game) that he has missed with calf problems alone.

There was, however, some good news for a squad that is also missing Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney through injury and Declan Rice through a ridiculous red card – Gabriel Jesus has returned from his groin injury and made the bench.

Arsenal team to face Spurs:

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Jorginho, Partey; Saka, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli

Arsenal bench:

Neto, Kiwior, Kacurri, Heaven, Lewis-Kelly, Sterling, Nwaneri, Jesus, Kabia.

For those wondering, Ismael Kabia (18) is a winger and boyhood Arsenal fans who struggled with injuries during 23/24 yet still managed to impress.

Maldini Kacurri (19) is a defender who also struggled last season with injuries after catching the eye of more senior coaches.