Arteta believes Odegaard is 50/50 for the Tottenham clash as Fabregas urges him to start Nwaneri

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not ruling captain Martin Odegaard out of the North London Derby.

The Gunners face rivals Tottenham on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but maybe without Odegaard, 25, who poses a massive doubt.

The playmaker suffered an ankle injury during Norway's Nations League clash with Austria on Monday.

The ex-Real Madrid star limped off the pitch in tears following a rough challenge from Christoph Baumgartner.

The Norway international was later seen on crutches while boarding a flight back to London.

Arteta, however, revealed Arsenal doctors have yet to reach a final decision as to whether Odegaard will play against Spurs.

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The Spanish tactician hinted there would be a late call and left all potential scenarios open.

In his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: "We need some more tests. Let’s see what happens in the next day or so. This afternoon probably.

"Let’s see the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back. Martin wants to be here every day but we have to wait and see.

I leave that to the doctor.

"He’s willing and he wants to be present in every game. We need to make sure we know first how good he is or not. Players with 48 hours are always available. Let’s see what happens."

Arteta, who signed a new contract that ties him to the Emirates until 2027, is facing quite a midfield headache as Declan Rice is suspended and summer signing Mikel Merino is injured.

The Arsenal manager may also have to make a late call on Riccardo Calafiori.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas suggested 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could replace Odegaard in the North London Derby.

Fabregas, 37, believes Arteta still has options to fill in for the skipper, such as teenage attacking midfielder Nwaneri.

The England Under-19 international made headlines in 2022 when he became the youngest-ever player to compete in the Premier League at the age of 15 years and 181 days old in a 3-0 win at Brentford.

The Arsenal legend also advised Arteta to try Leandro Trossard in midfield next to Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

Fabregas told the Planet Premier League podcast: "I have no doubts that if Mikel puts him [Nwaneri] in the starting XI or even during the game it's because he has seen that he's good enough to make an impact.

"The consequences of Rice and Odegaard being out helps and makes it a little bit faster than he would have liked but it means that he is on his mind.

"If he's part of the squad it's because he believes that he can bring something to the table.

"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 the role of Odegaard. A little more offensive midfielder, No8, No10.

"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.

"But overall, it's great to see young players making it into the Premier League."