Tottenham vs Arsenal: Per Mertesacker set to return after illness but Francis Coquelin out

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is fit to return to the team for the Capital One Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur after missing the club's last five games. The Germany centre-back has been absent for the past five weeks through illness but is set to resume duties at the heart of the Gunners back four.

Francis Coquelin will miss the game for the north Londoners, though, after suffering a knee injury in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. The 24-year-old fell awkwardly midway through the first half at Stamford Bridge and was replaced by Calum Chambers at half-time.

The Mirror had understood that the former France youth international, who joins Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky on the sidelines, would be in contention to feature against Spurs, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled him out.

"Francis Coquelin will be out and we have no major problems for anybody else," he told Arsenal's official website. "It should be a similar squad. His knee is swollen and he is being assessed but we hope it is just a short-term problem. [Mertesacker] is available for selection, yes."

Despite often using the League Cup as a way of blooding players from the club's much-famed academy, in such a hotly contested derby against the their fiercest rivals Arsenal are set to name a strong team to face Tottenham. The likes of Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Dan Crowley and Chris Willock were named in their squad for the pre-season tour to Singapore but none of the trio are set to involved, however Alex Iwobi is set for a role.

"I want to keep the squad together," added Wenger. "We go game by game so I will make changes, for sure. How many? I've not decided yet. It will be quite an experienced squad with one or two younger players. He is in and out a little bit because we travel a lot. He is doing well."

In addition, Arsenal await the result of an appeal against Gabriel Paulista's red card against Chelsea, ahead of naming the Brazil defender in their squad. The Football Association will fast-track the appeal process in time for the visit to Tottenham, with a result expected before the game.