Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey fit for Tottenham clash despite international withdrawal

Aaron Ramsey will be available for Arsenal's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur despite withdrawing from international duty with Wales.

Ramsey, 26, completed 90 minutes in Friday's (10 November) defeat to France but withdrew from Chris Coleman's squad ahead of Tuesday's clash with Panama. Given his rather chequered history with injuries, that withdrawal prompted some concerns the Welshman had picked up another knock ahead of Saturday's showdown with Mauricio Pochettino at the Emirates Stadium.

But Coleman has moved to ease those concerns, insisting the plan had always been for the former Cardiff City youngster to return to his club after one game.

"Coming into the camp we knew we were only going to have him for France," Coleman said. "No matter how he felt afterwards we decided it would be one game for Aaron Ramsey.

"I think coming into the camp because of what has been happening with him at Arsenal in terms of his fitness we thought one game would be better than two."

Ramsey will be hopeful of starting in midfield against Spurs with Danny Welbeck also hoping to come back into the starting XI after his recent injury. The former Manchester United forward limped off during the defeat to Watford on 14 October with a hamstring problem but has now returned to full training.

Arsene Wenger has for the past few weeks insisted Welbeck will be back after the international break with Shkodran Mustafi also hoping to return Saturday. The Germany international has missed his club's last seven games due to a thigh injury but was another to return to training at the start of the week.

The Gunners will be sat four points behind their arch-rivals welcome their arch-rivals to the red half of north London on Saturday.