Arsenal depleted for Tottenham trip as Premier League resumes

An under-strength Arsenal face a huge test of their Premier League title credentials at rivals Tottenham, while Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag desperately needs a response from his side at Southampton.

AFP Sports looks at the pick of the action as the English top-flight returns from an international break this weekend:

Can Arsenal cope?

Arsenal have already blinked first in the title race to fall two points behind Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Gunners were held 1-1 at home by Brighton last time out after Declan Rice was harshly sent-off early in the second half.

Rice is therefore suspended for tomorrow’s north London derby to compound injury woes for Mikel Arteta.

Captain Martin Odegaard is expected to miss three weeks due to an ankle injury picked up on international duty with Norway.

New signing Mikel Merino is also absent from the Arsenal midfield with a shoulder injury.

However, there was some good news for Arsenal as Arteta signed a new three-year deal on Thursday.

“Together with the players and everyone at the club, we are looking forward to the coming years, with our supporters, who have emotionally transformed the club and the team,” said the Spaniard.

Arteta has led Arsenal to second-place finishes in each of the past two seasons but he must come up with a masterplan to avoid leaving his side with an early mountain to climb in the title race.

A trip to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium kicks off a daunting run of three tough away games in eight days.

Arsenal face Europa League winners Atalanta on Thursday in the Champions League before a showdown against City.