Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has urged supporters to stay ‘united’ when they take on Manchester City on Sunday – even if a good result for the visitors puts a dent in Arsenal’s title hopes.
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League but their lead was reduced to just four points last Sunday after a home defeat to Manchester United.
There could be more twists this weekend with Mikel Arteta’s side in action away to Leeds United this afternoon.
Spurs welcome City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday with a superb record against Pep Guardiola’s side having beaten them at the Etihad back in August.
Arsenal fans will find themselves in the very rare position of cheering on their hated rivals – while some Spurs supporters might be able to live with a City victory if it keeps the pressure on the Gunners at the top.
A small section of Spurs fans were seen doing the Poznan – the back-to-goal celebration adopted by City fans – after Erling Haaland scored in the same fixture in 2024, securing a win that denied Arsenal a chance to win the title on the last day of the 2023-24 season.
It is already set to be a tense Sunday in Tottenham with more protests against the board planned with organisers also encouraging supporters to stage a walkout.
While Frank understands the long history between Spurs and Arsenal, he insists the team’s focus is solely on securing all three points.
‘First and foremost, the fans, especially the 3000 that travelled to Frankfurt [in the Champions League on Wednesday], was amazing support throughout the game,’ Frank said.
‘It was fantastic to see their happy faces. The fans at home to Dortmund were amazing and when we are united together as a group magic things can happen. So it is all about that.
‘I understand there is a long history in the club that I can’t and will not question. My focus and the players focus is we do everything to beat City.’
Quizzed on those Poznan scenes from 2024, Frank added: ‘It’s a free world people can do what they want to do. Every Spurs fan is supporting the team. And it’s about that.’
Tottenham head into the weekend in 14th place.
Arrow MORE: Chelsea vs West Ham: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news
Arrow MORE: ‘Mikel Arteta’s £38m Arsenal signing is top – but one Chelsea star is even better’
Arrow MORE: ‘Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson ordered me to dump my girlfriend and sell my dog’