Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla is likely to miss the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur as he continues to recover from an achilles injury.

The Spain international was among four players to miss the Champions League win at Ludogorets Razgrad, having also been absent for the Premier League games against Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

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Forward Theo Walcott and full-back Nacho Monreal also did not travel to Sofia with separate hamstring and muscle complaints, and will both undergo fitness tests to determine their availability for the game. Hector Bellerin, who suffered an ankle injury in training prior to the mid-week European clash, is expected to return, while Kieran Gibbs suffered a shoulder problem in Bulgaria and could miss out.

But the major concern surrounds Cazorla, 31, who is in line to miss a fifth game in a row. The former Villarreal midfielder has not featured in the Arsenal first team since mid-October's win over Swansea City and is considered a doubt for the visit of Tottenham – who are unbeaten in the Premier League this season.

"Gibbs has been touched in his shoulder and we don't know how he will respond to that, we will see today after the players who did not travel [to Sofia] like Cazorla, like Walcott," Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told reporters. "There is still some uncertainty today. The closest at the moment looks to be Walcott but we will have a definite test with him today.

Santi Cazorla
Cazorla has missed Arsenal's last four games with an achillies issue. Getty Images

"Hector has a test. I left him behind because I was cautious with him. I could have basically forced the issue a little bit; he could have played in Bulgaria. But I think he should be alright. [Monreal] has tests today and tomorrow and then we will decide. Cazorla has not practised yet but we will try and go out today and see where we go from there. He's a doubt.

"I believe we [Arsenal] will have an advantage if we are at our best no matter who plays. I have a squad of 25 players who are all top class and I think this game, a game of this stature [against Tottenham] is about the 25; everyone focused and everybody ready to contribute. Everyone's contribution will matter on Sunday and it will be absolutely vital."

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