Arsenal have appealed to the Premier League to postpone Sunday's match against Tottenham. PA
Arsenal have appealed to the Premier League to postpone Sunday's match against Tottenham. PA
Arsenal have appealed to the Premier League to postpone Sunday's match against Tottenham. PA
Arsenal have appealed to the Premier League to postpone Sunday's match against Tottenham. PA

Sport

Football

Arsenal ask Premier League to postpone derby clash against Tottenham

Gunners are missing players through Covid, injury and Africa Cup of Nations

Press Association

January 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Arsenal have asked for Sunday’s derby at Tottenham to be postponed.

The Gunners have a host of players missing due to coronavirus, injury, suspension and the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the Premier League clash.

A club statement on Friday read: “We can confirm we have made an application to the Premier League for the postponement of Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

“We have reluctantly taken this step but we have many players currently unavailable across our squad as a result of Covid, injuries and players away with their countries at Afcon.”

The Premier League is expected to decide on Saturday whether the game can go ahead.

Martin Odegaard missed Arsenal’s goalless League Cup semi-final first-leg draw at Liverpool on Thursday due to Covid while Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu were injured.

Liverpool v Arsenal player ratings

LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian had a quiet evening but made a fine close-range save from Saka. He cut out danger by being quick off the line. AFP
LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian had a quiet evening but made a fine close-range save from Saka. He cut out danger by being quick off the line. AFP
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 4. The 23-year-old’s distribution was unusually poor and he created little in a sluggish performance. Williams replaced him with 14 minutes to go Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 4. The 23-year-old’s distribution was unusually poor and he created little in a sluggish performance. Williams replaced him with 14 minutes to go Getty Images
Joel Matip - 6. The 30-year-old was secure at the back and not scared of stepping into midfield with the ball at his feet. He was withdrawn for Gomez in the 76th minute. Getty Images
Joel Matip - 6. The 30-year-old was secure at the back and not scared of stepping into midfield with the ball at his feet. He was withdrawn for Gomez in the 76th minute. Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk - 6. The Dutchman was rarely out of his comfort zone and did not need to be at his best as Arsenal concentrated on defending. His passing was effective. AFP
Virgil van Dijk - 6. The Dutchman was rarely out of his comfort zone and did not need to be at his best as Arsenal concentrated on defending. His passing was effective. AFP
Andrew Robertson - 5. The Scot’s diagonal ball led to Xhaka’s sending off but it was a rare pinpoint effort. Most of the time his crossing and passing were less precise. Getty Images
Andrew Robertson - 5. The Scot’s diagonal ball led to Xhaka’s sending off but it was a rare pinpoint effort. Most of the time his crossing and passing were less precise. Getty Images
Fabinho - 5. The Brazilian was tidy on the ball without ever worrying Arsenal. Usually he controls the pace of the game but that was not the case here and he was replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain with 15 minutes left. Reuters
Fabinho - 5. The Brazilian was tidy on the ball without ever worrying Arsenal. Usually he controls the pace of the game but that was not the case here and he was replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain with 15 minutes left. Reuters
James Milner - 4. The 36-year-old was often a bystander as the ball pinged around the midfield. He never got to the pace of the game and made way for Jones just after the hour. AFP
James Milner - 4. The 36-year-old was often a bystander as the ball pinged around the midfield. He never got to the pace of the game and made way for Jones just after the hour. AFP
Jordan Henderson - 5. The captain was not short on effort but lacked quality. He became less effective in the second half, when he looked heavy-legged. Reuters
Jordan Henderson - 5. The captain was not short on effort but lacked quality. He became less effective in the second half, when he looked heavy-legged. Reuters
Diogo Jota - 5. The Portuguese forced Xhaka into his red-card offence but that was one of the rare occasions he found space behind the defence. For most of the time he was crowded out. EPA
Diogo Jota - 5. The Portuguese forced Xhaka into his red-card offence but that was one of the rare occasions he found space behind the defence. For most of the time he was crowded out. EPA
Roberto Firmino - 4. The Brazilian looked bright when he was on the ball but that was not very often. He faded into the background when he needed to lead the line. Getty Images
Roberto Firmino - 4. The Brazilian looked bright when he was on the ball but that was not very often. He faded into the background when he needed to lead the line. Getty Images
Takumi Minamino - 4. The Japanese did not impose himself. He was swamped by defenders and when his big chance came late on, he lacked composure. AFP
Takumi Minamino - 4. The Japanese did not impose himself. He was swamped by defenders and when his big chance came late on, he lacked composure. AFP
SUBS: Curtis Jones (Milner 61') - 6. The 20-year-old replaced Milner in the 61st minute. He brought some vigour to a midfield that lacked energy but could not unlock the defence. PA
SUBS: Curtis Jones (Milner 61') - 6. The 20-year-old replaced Milner in the 61st minute. He brought some vigour to a midfield that lacked energy but could not unlock the defence. PA
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Fabinho 75') - 4. The 28-year-old was given 15 minutes against his former club when Fabinho departed. He could not find much space and his touch was poor. Reuters
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Fabinho 75') - 4. The 28-year-old was given 15 minutes against his former club when Fabinho departed. He could not find much space and his touch was poor. Reuters
Joe Gomez (Matip 76') - 6. The 24-year-old came on for the last 14 minutes and eased to the final whistle without too many worries. AFP
Joe Gomez (Matip 76') - 6. The 24-year-old came on for the last 14 minutes and eased to the final whistle without too many worries. AFP
Neco Williams (Alexander-Arnold 76') - 6. A lively cameo from the Welshman, who joined the action in the 76th minute for Alexander-Arnold. He provided some extra thrust down the right. EPA
Neco Williams (Alexander-Arnold 76') - 6. A lively cameo from the Welshman, who joined the action in the 76th minute for Alexander-Arnold. He provided some extra thrust down the right. EPA
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 7. The 23-year-old must have expected a busier night. What he needed to do, he did well and handled a late barrage of crosses with ease. Getty Images
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 7. The 23-year-old must have expected a busier night. What he needed to do, he did well and handled a late barrage of crosses with ease. Getty Images
Cedric Soares - 5. The Portuguese limped off and was replaced by Chambers after 11 minutes. He did not get the opportunity to get into the game. Getty Images
Cedric Soares - 5. The Portuguese limped off and was replaced by Chambers after 11 minutes. He did not get the opportunity to get into the game. Getty Images
Ben White - 8. A strong display from the 24-year-old. His positional sense was good and he made some significant tackles, blocks and interceptions. Reuters
Ben White - 8. A strong display from the 24-year-old. His positional sense was good and he made some significant tackles, blocks and interceptions. Reuters
Gabriel - 7. The Brazilian was too far upfield during the counterattack that led to Xhaka’s sending off but he grew in stature afterwards. He was disciplined and effective under pressure. AP
Gabriel - 7. The Brazilian was too far upfield during the counterattack that led to Xhaka’s sending off but he grew in stature afterwards. He was disciplined and effective under pressure. AP
Kieran Tierney - 7. The Scot was restrained going forward after his team went down to ten men but he was able to show off the defensive side of his game. He teed up Saka for a chance in the second half. Getty Images
Kieran Tierney - 7. The Scot was restrained going forward after his team went down to ten men but he was able to show off the defensive side of his game. He teed up Saka for a chance in the second half. Getty Images
Albert Sambi Lokonga - 6. The Belgian started poorly but did his best to fill the void left by Xhaka. He was much more comfortable when not asked to be creative. PA
Albert Sambi Lokonga - 6. The Belgian started poorly but did his best to fill the void left by Xhaka. He was much more comfortable when not asked to be creative. PA
Granit Xhaka - 2. The Swiss is a liability. He knew where Jota was but still swung a boot in a manner that could only lead to a 24th-minute red card. Too slow in pace and thought. Reuters
Granit Xhaka - 2. The Swiss is a liability. He knew where Jota was but still swung a boot in a manner that could only lead to a 24th-minute red card. Too slow in pace and thought. Reuters
Bukayo Saka - 8. The 20-year-old was his team’s main threat, even when they were a man short. He will rue his poor touch that allowed Alisson to gather his close-range shot but he worried the defence. Tavares replaced him with nine minutes left. AFP
Bukayo Saka - 8. The 20-year-old was his team’s main threat, even when they were a man short. He will rue his poor touch that allowed Alisson to gather his close-range shot but he worried the defence. Tavares replaced him with nine minutes left. AFP
Alexandre Lacazette - 7. The Frenchman put in a shift, holding the ball up and tracking back to help the weakened midfield. He was exhausted by the final whistle. AFP
Alexandre Lacazette - 7. The Frenchman put in a shift, holding the ball up and tracking back to help the weakened midfield. He was exhausted by the final whistle. AFP
Gabriel Martinelli - 7. The 20-year-old was mature enough to restrict his attacking instincts and drop back to help out his defence. He pressed Liverpool ballcarriers relentlessly. Getty Images
Gabriel Martinelli - 7. The 20-year-old was mature enough to restrict his attacking instincts and drop back to help out his defence. He pressed Liverpool ballcarriers relentlessly. Getty Images
Eddie Nketiah - 6. The 22-year-old suffered from Xhaka’s moment of madness. He was withdrawn for Holding in Arsenal’s 28th-minute reshuffle. AP
Eddie Nketiah - 6. The 22-year-old suffered from Xhaka’s moment of madness. He was withdrawn for Holding in Arsenal’s 28th-minute reshuffle. AP
Calum Chambers (Soares 11') - 7. The 26-year-old got onto the pitch early when Cedric limped off. The centre back handled Minamino with ease and was dominant in the air. Reuters
Calum Chambers (Soares 11') - 7. The 26-year-old got onto the pitch early when Cedric limped off. The centre back handled Minamino with ease and was dominant in the air. Reuters
Rob Holding – 7 (Nketiah 28'). The 26-year-old was drafted into the defence in the 28th minute at Nketiah’s expense after Arsenal went down to 10 men. He was ready for the battle and made numerous clearances with his head and boot. AP
Rob Holding – 7 (Nketiah 28'). The 26-year-old was drafted into the defence in the 28th minute at Nketiah’s expense after Arsenal went down to 10 men. He was ready for the battle and made numerous clearances with his head and boot. AP
Nuno Tavares (Saka 81') - 5. The Portuguese replaced Saka with nine minutes remaining. He screened the defence but made scant impact going forward. Reuters
Nuno Tavares (Saka 81') - 5. The Portuguese replaced Saka with nine minutes remaining. He screened the defence but made scant impact going forward. Reuters

Granit Xhaka is suspended after his red card at Anfield while Cedric Soares suffered an injury in midweek, Bukayo Saka is dealing with a knock and Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Arteta, who has seen fixtures against Wolves and Liverpool postponed in the past month at the request of the opposition, earlier insisted he will prepare for the game to take place.

“I don’t know, it’s difficult to say that with total honesty without assessing our players,” he said when asked if he would like the game to be off.

“What is today very unlikely, tomorrow is likely to happen. It’s gone the other way for us when we were ready to play a match and it was cancelled twice because the other team had issues so it can go both ways. But our intention is always to play.”

Burnley’s match against Leicester on Saturday has already been postponed, with the Clarets having an insufficient number of players to fulfil the fixture.

if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

Whiile you're here

Scores in brief:

  • New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
  • William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
  • Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
  • Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
UAE players with central contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

While you're here
Brief scoreline:

Liverpool 2

Keita 5', Firmino 26'

Porto 0

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

La Mer lowdown

La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
 

360Vuz PROFILE

Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah 
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology 
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million 
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin

2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWomen%E2%80%99s%20race%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Tigist%20Ketema%20(ETH)%202hrs%2016min%207sec%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Ruti%20Aga%20(ETH)%202%3A18%3A09%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dera%20Dida%20(ETH)%202%3A19%3A29%0D%3Cbr%3EMen's%20race%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Addisu%20Gobena%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A01%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lemi%20Dumicha%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A20%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20DejeneMegersa%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A42%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Background
While you're here
Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

You might also like
While you're here
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Updated: January 15, 2022, 6:07 AM

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