Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has backed Leandro Trossard to start in place of Martin Odegaard in the North London derby this weekend.

It has been a hotly debated subject as to who should replace the injured captain but, speaking to the Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas said he would line up Trossard alongside Thomas Partey and Jorginho in midfield:

“I also would like to see Trossard in midfield. I know he likes to come from the wing but he has the capabilities and qualities to play that role of Odegaard. A little more offensive midfielder, No.8, No.10.”

“I think he’s got the qualities to do that. Probably [Thomas] Partey and Jorginho will be the other two midfielders if I am not mistaken.”

What is Odegaard’s fitness status?

The 25-year-old twisted his ankle during Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria on Tuesday night. He left the field in tears after being taken off in the second half of the game in Oslo.

Following the match, Norway’s doctor suggested that Odegaard could be sidelined for three weeks, although additional scans are required to provide a more precise return date.

Who else will Arsenal be missing when they play Spurs?

After being sent off for two bookable offences against Brighton before the international break, manager Mikel Arteta will also be without record signing Declan Rice. The midfielder will be serving a one-match suspension when his team travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has a chronic knee problem and it is not known when the Japanese international will return to fitness. Kieran Tierney is in individual training but he won’t make the squad to face Spurs. Mikel Merino is ruled out until early November due to a shoulder injury.

There are also doubts about the fitness of Gabriel Jesus (groin) and Riccardo Calafiori (knock) but there is optimism that both will be fit for the derby.