Arsenal cannot withstand the corona virus storm in the club’s body at this time. Therefore, the Gunners asked for the duel against Tottenham Hotspur postponed.
The Tottenham vs Arsenal North London derby will be held at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Sunday (16/1/2022) night WIB. However, in its development, the team’s condition is increasingly not conducive.
Because, Arsenal are still struggling with the explosion of COVID-19 cases in the team after the Omicron variant. Finally, Martin Odegaard had to miss Arsenal’s encounter with Liverpool in the first leg of the English League Cup semi-final due to being positive for the corona virus.
Plus the storm of injuries that hit the team again, Arsenal now only has 12 non-goalkeepers. The problem was even more complicated after Cedric Soares and Bukayo Saka were injured after balancing Liverpool 0-0.
Not to mention Arsenal also cannot use the services of Granit Xhaka for the next three games because of a red card. Therefore, Arsenal asked the Premier League to postpone the match against Tottenham.
“The Premier League has just received a request from Arsenal to postpone the away match against Tottenham Hotspur which was supposed to be played on Sunday 16 January starting at 16.30 local time,” said a Premier League statement.
“Premier League officials will hold a meeting tomorrow to study the request and provide information to the club and fans regarding the final decision.”
According to Premier League rules, Arsenal are required to play if there are still 14 players, namely 13 non-goalkeepers and one goalkeeper. For now, Arsenal reportedly do not meet these criteria.
If Tottenham vs Arsenal are postponed, then this will be the second match in Week 22 to be suspended after Burnley vs Leicester. Previously, 20 matches had been postponed this season due to COVID-19.
(mrp / then)
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