Martin Keown makes surprise Arsenal prediction ahead of north London derby

Martin Keown is concerned for Arsenal ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal legend Martin Keown admits he is concerned for his former club ahead of this weekend’s north London derby but predicts they will be boosted by the surprise return to fitness of a key player.

The Gunners have made an outstanding start to the new campaign but may well have seen their lead to the top cut to just a single point by the time they face their local rivals.

Mikel Arteta ’s men dropped two valuable points prior to the international break after conceding a stoppage time equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Sunderland .

Manchester City capitalised on that slip by dismantling Liverpool and laying down something of a marker and with Pep Guardiola ’s men in action away against struggling Newcastle on Saturday evening, the pressure will firmly be on Arsenal come kick-off.

Arteta had been hoping to welcome back a clutch of key attacking players for the game against Tottenham but his mood over the break will doubtless have been spoiled by the sight of defensive linchpin Gabriel limping off against Senegal last weekend.

Gabriel went down just before the hour mark on Saturday afternoon and received treatment before being substituted.

Brazil issued an update on the Gunners centre-back on Sunday, confirming he would now return to the Premier League leaders for further treatment.

Gabriel was forced off in the 64th minute (Picture: Getty)

‘Gabriel Magalhaes will not travel with the team for the game against Tunisia. The defender left the field yesterday after feeling pain in the adductor muscle of his right thigh,’ a statement on the Brazilian Football Confederation website read.

‘Arsenal player Gabriel Magalhaes was re-evaluated this Sunday (November 16) and underwent imaging tests that revealed a muscle injury in his right thigh.

‘Therefore, the player will not travel with the team to the match against Tunisia in Lille. No other player will be called up to replace him.’

Keown, however, is confident the 27-year-old will have made a miraculous recovery, telling talkSPORT: ‘It’s not ideal but I think Gabriel might make it and if he does I think Arsenal deserve that little bit of luck.’

Spurs have impressed away from home under Thomas Frank (Picture: Getty)

He added: ‘It’s not about any one player this year and injuries, it’s about the collecitve group.

‘If someone else is injured Mosquera will have to come in and do a magnificent job because Gabriel and Saliba are a the best partnership in Europe, never mind in the building.’

Regardless of Arsenal’s defensive line-up, Keown fears Spurs will provide obdurate opposition and has been impressed by the way they have performed away from home under Thomas Frank.

He said: ‘What concerns me this weekend is Spurs’ away form. Spurs at home it’s like two different entities.