Saturday’s briefing: Gabriel misses ‘madhouse’ derby and Guardiola stays cool

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Tottenham counterpart Thomas Frank are gearing up for Sunday’s north London derby while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is cooling expectations of a title challenge.

There is more injury woe for Cole Palmer.

Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the north London derby with key defender Gabriel ruled out “for weeks”.

The 27-year-old, an ever-present this season in a Gunners side who have conceded just five Premier League goals, suffered a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil – while playing at the Emirates Stadium.

Boss Mikel Arteta has now confirmed Gabriel will not be available when Tottenham visit their fierce rivals later this weekend, or for the foreseeable future.

“Gabriel, unfortunately, picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team and he’s going to be out for weeks,” said Arteta.

“We need to have another scan – I think it’s next Wednesday – and we’ll have the timeline probably much more clear than we have at the moment.”

“This is the big one. I always say the next game is the most important game but I'm very aware there's two games in a year that are even more important.”

Thomas on the North London Derby