Martin Odegaard in line for 'superhero' comeback in north London derby after Arsenal captain makes 'miraculous recovery' from injury

Arsenal are preparing to welcome Spurs to Emirates Stadium on Sunday. It was feared that Odegaard would be forced to sit out that contest with a knee problem, having struggled to find peak form and fitness this season.

According to The Sun, the 26-year-old is now in line to complete a "miraculous recovery" in time to feature against the Gunners’ fiercest rivals. He could make just his eighth appearance of the campaign in that fixture - and his seventh in the Premier League.

Arteta will be hoping that is the case as Arsenal are not expected to have star striker Viktor Gyokeres back in contention, with the Sweden international picking up a hamstring complaint against Burnley on November 1 that has kept him out of action for club and country.

Arsenal are also without Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz at present, while Gabriel Jesus is training again as his recovery from knee ligament damage is stepped up. Commanding centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to be out for at least a month after suffering a knock while turning out for Brazil.

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While Odegaard has been restricted to a watching brief of late, he did travel to Oslo during the latest break in domestic duties to watch Norway secure qualification for their first World Cup since 1998 - with Erling Haaland taking his tally of goals in that campaign to 16.

Odegaard was on the pitch following a 4-1 victory over Estonia to join in with wild celebrations. He posted on social media afterwards: "We’ve been dreaming of moments like this since we were little kids. We have been working so hard. We have failed and failed… But we never gave up. Never lose faith, hope or unity.

"This group has stood together through the toughest days and moments, and therefore it feels even better to be where we are today. Proud to be a part of this crew. Proud to play for Norway. Proud to be Norwegian. Proud to represent Norway in the World Cup!! Dreams can really come true if you work hard and believe enough.

"To all the children and young adults out there: We were all once like you.

"So dream big and work hard, and everything is possible! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us yesterday and thank you for all the love we have received the past few days! It means more than you know. Let’s enjoy the moment, but we won’t stop here…"

On the other side of the north London derby divide, Tottenham are hoping that Randal Kolo Muani will be cleared to play. The French forward has been training while donning a protective mask.

He damaged his jaw during Spurs’ dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United, with it initially suggested that he could be sidelined for up to two months. He did not, however, require surgery and is ready if needed.

Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer Harry Kane famously wore a mask against Arsenal in 2016 - after breaking his nose - and ripped that off when celebrating a stunning goal at White Hart Lane.

Thomas Frank will be without long-term absentee James Maddison, along with Swedish playmaker Dejan Kulusevski and England international striker Dominic Solanke. Mohammed Kudus did not feature for Ghana during the November break and remains a doubt. Pape Matar Sarr picked up a knock during Senegal’s friendly with Brazil and may be forced to sit out a crunch clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal - who hold a four-point lead at the top of the table through 11 games this season.