Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has just shared some “very positive” news from his team in his press conference ahead of their mouth-watering north London derby clash with Arsenal this Sunday.
The Dane is preparing for his first ever derby as Spurs boss, but the Dane has a mountainous task ahead.
The numbers are pretty grim, with Tottenham having lost seven of their last nine Premier League matches against Arsenal, winning just once in their last 32 away derbies at the Emirates (The Analyst).
That solitary victory was a 3-2 comeback triumph in November 2010, and Arsenal have won five of their last six league meetings between the teams, including the last three in a row, marking their longest winning streak against Spurs since the late 1980s (The Analyst).
More worryingly, Arsenal have scored in each of their last 26 home league matches against Tottenham, scoring at least twice in the last eight meetings (The Analyst).
The Gunners’ dominance at home against their fierce rivals appears unshakeable, with Opta’s supercomputer giving Spurs just a 13.7% chance of victory – their lowest probability of victory in a Premier League match this season.
The odds aren’t exactly in Spurs’ favor, and they’ve had to deal with plenty of injury doubts in the build-up to their trip to London.
|
List of Tottenham absentees |
Issue |
Estimated return date (subject to change) |
|---|---|---|
|
Dejan Kulusevski |
Knee |
11/29/2025 |
|
James Maddison |
Access control list |
01/06/2026 |
|
Radu Dragousine |
Knee |
11/22/2025 |
|
Ben Davies |
Thigh |
11/23/2025 |
|
Kota Takai |
Ankle/Foot |
11/23/2025 |
|
Mohammed Jerusalem |
Struck |
11/23/2025 |
|
Redal Redal Redality |
Jaw |
11/23/2025 |
|
Yves Bissouma |
Ankle/Foot |
11/23/2025 |
|
Lucas Bergvall |
Concussion |
11/23/2025 |
|
Dominique Solanke |
Ankle |
11/23/2025 |
|
Archie Gray |
Calf/Shin/Heel |
11/23/2025 |
|
via Major injuries |
||
However, according to Frank, there has been real encouragement in this area.
Thomas Frank shares ‘very positive’ Tottenham injury update ahead of Arsenal
Speaking to the media, via reliable journalist Alasdair Gold, Frank confirmed that Pape Sarr will be available to play for Arsenal following his injury for Senegal on international duty, and the same can be said for midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who has been absent for the last two games with concussion.
Randal Kolo Muani can also play despite breaking his jaw against Man United, with the Frenchman required to wear a protective mask.
On top of that, Frank says Ben Davies, Kota Takai and Archie Gray all trained at Hotspur Way this morning, as did star winger Mohammed Kudus, with Frank potentially in contention for a seven-man swing as they battle to be ready for one of Spurs’ biggest games of the season.
The potential return of Kudus would be a major boost for Frank in particular.
The Ghanaian, who missed Spurs’ 4-0 defeat to FC Copenhagen and 2-2 draw against Man United last time out, has been their most important attacking player so far this season. Kudus declined international duty with Ghana to focus on his recovery, and that decision now appears to be paying off for the Lilywhites.
Tottenham hold preliminary talks to sign unstable striker Frank considers ‘clinical’
Spurs prioritize number nine in January.
The returns of Bergvall and Sarr will give Frank different midfield options apart from the one-dimensional defensive pivot of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, which is further good news.
Against an Arsenal team who are top of the table and seemingly impenetrable 90% of the time, Spurs need all the help they can get, so this update is very positive.
