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The north London derby tie between Tottenham and Arsenal on Sunday has been called-off.
The Premier League granted Arsenal’s request to call off the match after the Gunners claimed they had “many players currently unavailable across our squad as a result of Covid, injuries and players away with their countries at AFCON”.
It is understood that Tottenham hierarchy was angry at the thought of the game being postponed and believe there is not currently a Covid-19 outbreak at Arsenal.
A statement released by the Premier League on Saturday afternoon read: “Following a request from Arsenal, the Premier League board met today and regrettably agreed to postpone the club’s away fixture against Tottenham.
“With Arsenal having fewer than the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper), the board accepted the club’s application.
“The decision is a result of a combination of COVID-19, existing and recent injuries and players on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.”
The Premier League also confirmed that “all clubs are able to apply for a postponement if COVID-19 infections are a factor in their request”.
On Friday, Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal’s “intention is always to play”.
Gunners midfielder Martin Odegaard missed Thursday’s goalless Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg draw at Liverpool due to Covid, while Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu had been ruled out through injury.
Cedric Soares was forced off early at Anfield, with Bukayo Saka also taking a knock, while Granit Xhaka’s first-half red card would have ruled him out of the Tottenham game.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Vincent Paul
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