Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny ruled out of derby showdown with Spurs

ByBen Snowball

Updated 03/03/2016 at 08:31 GMT

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech will not feature in the north London derby against Tottenham – after he was injured making a frantic charge up the pitch for a late Gunners corner in the defeat to Swansea.

It is the latest blow for Arsenal, who slipped to an embarrassing 2-1 home defeat to the lowly Welsh club.

[MATCH REPORT: Arsenal’s title challenge dealt blow by Swansea defeat]

David Ospina will deputise between the posts at White Hart Lane on Saturday, while Laurent Koscielny will also be absent for the showdown.

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"Cech got a muscular problem at the end of the game," said Wenger. "He will not play on Saturday. I have full faith in Ospina."

Arsenal are six points adrift of Leicester City, and three behind neighbours Spurs, with 10 games remaining.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Image credit: Reuters

OUR VIEW

Tottenham may be dejected after their defeat to West Ham, but belief will soon return when news of Cech’s injury reaches them.

In normal circumstances, missing one match would hardly be a big deal. But missing arguably the biggest north London derby in history – one that could help decide the Premier League title? It’s a massive blow for the Gunners.

It was foretold by some before the season that Cech would be the difference between first and fourth. After this injury, that prophecy could turn out to be accurate.

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