Arsenal team news: Diaby is a major doubt for North London derby

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger faces selection headache ahead of the Sunday’s encounter against bitter rivals Tottenham, as his midfielder Abou Diaby has not recovered after an injury.

The 26-year-old Frenchman has been struggling with a calf injury and was substituted in Arsenal 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Diaby is to undergo the medical assessment ahead of the North London derby to reveal whether he will be available for selection. Wenger has also confirmed his two defenders Sagna (knee) and Gibbs (thigh) will not take part in the forthcoming six-pointer.

Wenger said: “Abou is an uncertainty. He has a calf problem, a minor one. It is question of days. He will have tests and then we will see if we can use him on Sunday or not. It is a 50:50. Actually, maybe a bit more for him playing. (Sagna) is not ready for Sunday. It is too short for him. Kieran is not back. That was as we expected.”