Mikel Arteta aims to replicate iconic North London Derby trick over familiar issue in Tottenham v Arsenal

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Arsenal are facing several issues ahead of the upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, with a number of key players missing.

There is now a crisis in central midfield, as all three of Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard could all be absent for the tough trip. Rice is suspended, whilst Merino and Odegaard have picked up unfortunate injuries.

Mikel Arteta will now have to find a way to win at Tottenham without his three first-choice central midfielders. Whilst he does have experienced options in Thomas Partey and Jorginho, Arsenal will no doubt be weaker given their absences.

However, The Gunners will still fancy their chances of winning away at Spurs, having done so in each of the last two seasons, and Arteta can repeat a North London Derby feat he managed when he was Arsenal captain.

• READ MORE: A timeline of every Arsenal captain during the Premier League era from Tony Adams to Martin Odegaard

Arsenal won at Tottenham with three midfielders missing in 2014

Arsenal were challenging for the Premier League title in 2014, but were facing an injury crisis in March. Crucial midfielders Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere had all picked up injuries, and Arsene Wenger had to find solutions.

Wenger’s side travelled to White Hart Lane knowing they had to win to stay in the title race, and they found a way to do it.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was moved to a central midfield role next to Arteta, with Tomas Rosicky and Lukas Podolski on the wings either side of Santi Cazorla.

Despite missing starters in Ramsey, Ozil, Theo Walcott, and another key midfielder in Wilshere, Arsenal went to Spurs and recorded a 1-0 win in the Derby, with a first-minute screamer from Rosicky the difference.

Mikel Arteta needs to find internal solutions like Arsene Wenger did at Arsenal

Arsenal do have quality options in their midfield, even if the depth in the position was stronger in 2014.

Whilst it is not an ideal situation for Arteta, he has first-hand experience of Arsenal having to play an away derby whilst missing several players in one position, and he will now hope to repeat the result as a manager.

Arteta may be tempted to throw Ethan Nwaneri into the deep end, but the likeliest scenario is that Partey and Jorginho start together to bring stability and experience to the middle of the park.