After securing three consecutive wins, including a Carabao Cup victory in midweek, Arsenal are looking to make it four in a row in the north London derby clash with Tottenham
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Arsenal 3-0 AFC Wimbledon: Mikel Arteta post match
After their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign, Arsenal have managed to string together three consecutive victories.
The Gunners comfortably put three past AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup to progress to the fourth round, where they will face Leeds United.
Arsenal could have scored more against the League One side and went ahead early on thanks to an Alexandre Lacazette penalty, before Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah put the tie to bed.
This cup win came after Arsenal secured 1-0 victories over Norwich City and Burnley in the top flight.
Mikel Arteta will hope his side continues their winning form as they head into Sunday’s north London derby with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
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AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal fielded a weaker side in the Carabao Cup, meaning a number of players will be fresh returning to the starting XI.
Here are the latest updates on some of the Gunners’ recent absentees:
Granit Xhaka
The Swiss midfielder has had a rocky start to the season after impressing during the summer at Euro 2020
In Arsenal’s poor defeat against Manchester City before the international break, Xhaka was sent off.
He has now served the final game of his suspension following that red card.
In addition to that, Xhaka has finally recovered from Covid-19 after catching it over the international break earlier this month.
After his isolation period in Basel, the 28-year-old has returned to training and could potentially return against Tottenham.
Thomas Partey
Partey is yet to play a full 90 minutes this season, but got an hour of game time during the midweek Carabao Cup clash as he returns to fitness.
Speaking on whether it was in the plan to play the former Atletico Madrid midfielder against Wimbledon, Arteta said: “Yes it was. He hasn’t played a lot of minutes since he’s been injured.
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“We believe the rhythm of matches is nothing like any training session. I think it was very beneficial for him.”
Arteta added: “We didn’t think so [playing him was a risk] and that’s why we made the decision to play him – but it’s always a risk when you play a match or have a training session at the intensity that we train.
“We believe it was the right thing to do and he was really pushing for it, so I think it worked out well.”
Partey will be available again but may not play a full 90 minutes.
Kieran Tierney
The flying Scottish left-back has started all five of Arsenal’s Premier League games this season and has been key for the squad so far.
However, he has been substituted off in two of the games, including the clash against Burnley.
During the game, he appeared to be in pain at times and seemed to be suffering from cramp.
Last week, Arteta said: “Again he had a problem. I think he was cramping. The pitch was pretty difficult today it was quite long.”
Mohamed Elneny
The Egyptian missed out on the Gunners’ last Premier League clash with a hamstring injury.
Before the trip to Turf Moor, an update on Arsenal.com read: “Left hamstring. Mo has worked hard with the medical team after suffering a hamstring strain and is aiming to be back in full training next week.”
However, Elneney is believed to have recovered from injury and could be available for the clash against Tottenham.
