Tottenham manager Thomas Frank shared some “very positive” news for his side in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering north London derby against Arsenal.
The Dane is preparing for his first derby game as Spurs manager, but he has a lot of work to do.
The numbers are pretty grim, with Tottenham having lost seven of their last nine Premier League games against Arsenal and only won one of their last 32 away league derbies at the Emirates (The Analyst).
Since their lone victory in November 2010, when they came from behind to win 3-2, Arsenal have won five of their last six league games, including their most recent three-game winning streak, marking their longest winning streak against Spurs since the late 1980s (The Analyst).
Even more ominously, Arsenal have scored in their last 26 home league games against Tottenham and have scored at least two goals in their last eight (The Analyst).
The Gunners’ advantage over their fierce home rivals looks unshakable, with Opta’s supercomputer assigning Spurs a win probability of just 13.7%. This is the lowest winning probability of any Premier League match this season.
The odds weren’t necessarily in Spurs’ favor, with Spurs having to contend with a number of injury doubts as they prepare for the trip to London.
Tottenham absentee list | problem | Expected return date (subject to change) |
|---|---|---|
Dejan Kulusevski | knees | 2025/11/29 |
james madison | ACL | 2026/01/06 |
Radu Dragushin | knees | 2025/11/22 |
ben davis | thigh | 2025/11/23 |
Kota Takai | ankle/foot | 2025/11/23 |
muhammad jerusalem | knock | 2025/11/23 |
Creation of Redikan | jaw | 2025/11/23 |
Eve Bissouma | ankle/foot | 2025/11/23 |
Lucas Bergvall | concussion | 2025/11/23 |
Dominic Solanke | ankle | 2025/11/23 |
archie gray | calf/shin/heel | 2025/11/23 |
via premier injury | ||
But Frank says there was a lot of encouragement on this front.
Thomas Frank calls Tottenham’s injury situation ‘very positive’ ahead of game against Arsenal
Speaking to the media via trusted journalist Alasdair Gold, Frank confirmed that Papu Sarr is available to play for Arsenal after sustaining an injury while playing for Senegal on international duty. The same can be said for midfielder Lukas Bergvall, who has missed the last two games with a concussion.
Randall Kolo Muani is also able to play despite breaking his jaw against Man United and the Frenchman will wear a protective mask.
In addition to this, Frank says Ben Davies, Kota Takai and Archie Gray all trained at Hotspur Way this morning, as did star winger Mohamed Qudus, and Frank could be in line for seven players in-swing as Spurs prepare for one of their biggest games of the season.
Kudus’ possible return would be a huge boost, especially for Frank.
The Ghanaian has been Spurs’ most central attacking player so far this season, despite Spurs losing 4-0 to FC Copenhagen and drawing 2-2 with Man United in their last game. Kudus has turned down international duty in Ghana to focus on his recovery, a decision that appears to be benefiting the Lilywhites.
Tottenham hold preliminary talks to sign unstable striker, described by manager Frank as ‘clinical’
Spurs are prioritizing the No. 9 jersey this January.
The return of Bergvall and Sarr will provide Franck with different midfield options, apart from the one-dimensional defensive axis of Joao Parinha and Rodrygo Bentancur, which is further good news.
This update has been very positive indeed, as Spurs need all the help they can get against an Arsenal side that looks insurmountable 90% of the time.