Martin Odegaard’s injury could present an opportunity for Arsenal to use an alternative option in midfield.

Odegaard is a doubt for the Gunners’ clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby on Sunday with an ankle injury.

The Arsenal captain suffered the injury while on international duty with Norway, with the country’s team doctor stating that Odegaard could be sidelined for around three weeks.

Should that be the case, Odegaard will miss Arsenal’s Premier League fixture against Spurs, as well as several more matches in the coming weeks.

Mikel Arteta was hopeful during his press conference on Friday, though, where he refused to rule Odegaard out for the North London Derby. However, if Odegaard is unavailable then the Arsenal boss may have to get creative with his team selection.

The press conference also saw the update that Gabriel Jesus is set to be available for the fixture after recovering from a groin injury.

“Gabi was out there [training],” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “He’s got another session tomorrow and if everything goes well he’ll be ready to be selected in the squad which is great news for us.”

Jesus’s availability could present Arsenal with an opportunity to manage with Odegaard on the sidelines. If Jesus were to start as the central striker, that could see Kai Havertz utilised in the midfield role usually taken up by Odegaard.

Havertz was selected in midfield several times by Arteta last season following his move from Chelsea. Gradually, though, Havertz has been selected as Arsenal’s main striker including the first three Premier League fixtures of the season.

Starting Havertz in midfield and Jesus in the No.9 role is just one option available to Arteta if Odegaard is sidelined. It’s also worth remembering that Declan Rice will miss the North London Derby through suspension, so Arteta will have to make at least two changes in midfield from the team that drew with Brighton before the international break.

Arteta also has Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri who could all start in midfield for Arsenal. However, summer signing Mikel Merino remains sidelined through injury and will not be available.