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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has recalled his conversations with Jack Wilshere about the significance of the North London Derby.

The Gunners take on Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+,with little margin for error if they are to chase down Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

After two successive defeats, in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, Arteta knows from his playing days that a victory over Tottenham can dramatically lift the spirits of the fanbase.

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Ahead of the game, the Spaniard recalled former midfielder Wilshere’s passion for the fixture, with the Hale End graduate having famously taunted Arsenal’s local rivals during an FA Cup victory parade in 2015.

That day, Wilshere bellowed into a microphone ‘What do you think of Tottenham?’ before thousands of Arsenal fans, who naturally shouted back their usual X-rated reply.

"I remember having a few conversations with Jack about it." Arteta recalled. "Because Jack was very passionate about the rivalry, as we all know about.

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Video credit: Eurosport

"He made it public a few times, which was at the time very viral. So that’s probably something that’s stuck in my head from a player’s perspective."

There were groans last week as Arsenal lost to Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals. It was the club’s first defeat at home in nine months.

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Frustration from fans was even more apparent days later when they were knocked out by Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup third round.

But, while referring to a spate of injuries and suspensions endured by the club this term, Arteta called on the Emirates faithful to create the best atmosphere the 18-year-old stadium has seen.

Arteta said: "There are a lot of things happening that are very difficult to control. There are some things that are in our hands and this is one of them.

"Let’s create the best atmosphere that the Emirates has seen. This is something that is in our hands. If we get the win, we’re going to get independent of everybody.

"So what we’re going to try with the players and staff is to be the first ones to embrace that and hopefully [the fans] will follow us."

Arteta on Havertz 'qualities'

Arteta noted attacker Kai Havertz’s qualities, after the German received social media abuse after missing two great chances and a spot-kick in Sunday’s defeat to United.

He insisted: "First of all, I assess the performance in a way where you isolate the topic of scoring a goal. [I assess] what Kai brings to a team.

"This season we probably haven’t been as prolific in the numbers that we have scored. But they produce incredible things for the team and Kai is one of them."

How to watch the north London derby

Arsenal face Tottenham in the 197th edition of the north London derby on Wednesday evening.

Coverage will get underway on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ at 18:30 ahead of a 20:00 kick off.

The Gunners will be hoping the match against their fierce rivals can breathe new life into their title challenge, with Mikel Arteta's side currently six points behind Liverpool.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

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Tottenham want Rashford loan

The Independent believes that Tottenham have held talks over the signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.

The England forward appears to be set on a January departure from Old Trafford, and Spurs could be one destination.

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The paper writes: "Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a loan move for Marcus Rashford and have investigated whether a deal may be possible.

"There is a growing feeling that the 27-year-old has played his last game for Manchester United, amid increasing market movement, and Ruben Amorim merely saying 'we'll see' in response to questions on that on Sunday.

"That hasn't yet translated into much interest from Premier League clubs, with only West Ham having previously looked at the possibility, although it is understood that Tottenham have also considered the idea and that there have been informal talks.

"Any such deal is nevertheless considered to be highly unlikely, due to the prospective structure of the offer and a current belief that Rashford is far likelier to go abroad."

Milan set for more Rashford talks

Serie A side AC Milan are planning more talks with Manchester United in the pursuit of their wantaway forward Rashford.

The Italian team also want to bring Rashford in on loan for the rest of the season, as the 27-year-old looks for a new challenge.

"The Serie A side are to continue discussions over a possible loan deal for the England international. Rashford's representatives are said to have met with a number of interested parties during the January transfer window, after the forward decided he is ready to take on a new challenge.

"Milan face competition from Barcelona for the forward's signature, with United willing to sell the academy product who remains under contract until 2028. The 27-year-old has made Ruben Amorim's matchday squad in just one of the side's last seven fixtures."

Bayern keen on Mainoo

As Manchester United weigh up midfielder Kobbie Mainoo’s wage demands, there are claims Bayern Munich could make a move.

Chelsea are also lurking for the England international teenager’s signature, according to The Sun.

The paper claims: "Bayern Munich are set to join the race for Kobbie Mainoo, SunSport can reveal.

"The Manchester United midfielder could be on his way out of Old Trafford if the club are unable to afford his wage demands.

"Mainoo – whose current £20,000-a-week contract expires in 2027 – is hoping for a fresh deal worth £200,000-a-week.

"But United are believed to be reluctant to go that high – which has led to reports Mainoo could leave the club either during this window or over the summer.

"Chelsea are at the front of the queue for the midfielder, but SunSport has learned that the London club will not be the only side chasing him.

"German giants Bayern are also long-term admirers and are planning to make a move if he becomes available."

Villa set to clinch Malen deal

The Daily Mail thinks that Aston Villa are closing in on an agreement for Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen.

The versatile forward could move for around £21 million, with Unai Emery looking to strengthen his squad.

The paper states: "Aston Villa are closing in on signing Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen for £21 million.

"Mail Sport first reported last month that Villa had reignited their interest in the Dutch forward.

"Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing throughout the month after Villa's opening £15m plus bonuses offer fell short of the £25m fee the Bundesliga outfit are looking to receive.

"Mail Sport then revealed in December that Unai Emery's side had submitted an improved £21m offer for the 25-year-old, and Dortmund have deemed that to be at an acceptable level."

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Tottenham Hotspur were exposed to the realities of non-league football as their FA Cup third-round clash against Tamworth was delayed over a bizarre incident regarding one of the goal nets at the 4,000 capacity ground.

Ange Postecoglou's side enjoy a welcome break from their hefty schedule against English and European elite with a clash against the National League outfit in the pick of the third-round matches.

The fifth-tier club were the lowest-ranked side remaining in the hat for the third round, and only train on a part-time basis following a meteoric rise from the seventh-tier - they have enjoyed back-to-back promotions in the past two seasons.

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The visit to the Midlands club presented something of a culture-shock for Spurs - trading their luxurious new 62,850 seater for the terraces of a hardened non-league club, brimming with a sell-out capacity of 4,000 fans eager to see an upset on home 3G turf.

But their anticipation was quelled somewhat when kick-off was delayed by approximately five minutes, as the net in one of the goals had been insufficiently tied to the goalposts.

The incident sparked scenes only England's most historic competition could deliver - as Tamworth's squad rallied to fix the issue and get their fairytale cup tie underway.

The fifth tier side's manager, Andy Peaks, revealed ahead of kick-off that some of his squad ply their trade as construction workers outside their part-time footballing schedule - providing a handy level of expertise to whip the goal net back into shape and the two sides finally got underway later than expected.

Tamworth forward Beck-Ray Enoru was notably involved in amending the issue, as he was hoisted towards the crossbar by team-mate Jordan Cullinane-Liburd - sitting on the defender's shoulders as he taped the net back to the frame of the goal.

Enoru then went on to show his skills do not just lie in DIY upon the kick-off whistle - forcing a save from Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the opening seconds from an acute angle.

There are 96 league places separating Tamworth and their UEFA Europa League-competing counterparts in the third-round clash, and the tie is a boost to an already-impressive season for the non-league outfit who are 16th in the fifth tier - establishing themselves among full-time opposition.

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The referee adds another name to the book as McGlinchey holds back Maddison who was looking to run at the back four.

There will be six more minutes for either side to win this. The game could then head to extra-time and penalties.

Wreh sends fellow substitute Williams away down the flank. However, his final ball lacked quality and floated out of play.

Milnes and Enoru are both taken off. They are replaced by Fletcher and Williams.

Johnson slides his pass into the path of Porro who is running at goal. However, the angle is too tight and Singh stands up to make a good stop

The Tottenham defender cuts across Enoru and can have no complaints about the booking.

Tamworth are almost dealt some fortune as a Tottenham clearance is fired against Tonks. However, the ball flies into the hands of goalkeeper Kinsky.

A break by Spurs down the left results in Reguilon finding Johnson who has peeled away from his marker at the back post. Howeverm he fails to get his foot around the ball and can only find the side-netting.

A corner for the hosts is met by Cullinane-Liburd whose effort under pressure drops just wide of the post.

Some wrestling going on inside the box ahead of a Tamworth corner. The referee has had enough with Creaney and Dragusin both booked.

Tonks’ long throw-in causes mayhem in the box and it falls to Enoru whose blocked effort drops to Cockerill-Mollett. However, his effort is also deflected at close range.

Moore picks out Werner with a cross to the back post. The marksman heads back across goal and has the goalkeeper beaten.

However, Hollis is on the line to head away and save his side.

The front three of Werner, Johnson and Moore are starting to show their frustration with each other.

None of the three have really made an impact in this game so far and are on limited time.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said Rodrigo Bentancur will be out for two weeks after sustaining a concussion during his side’s 1-0 League Cup victory over Liverpool on Wednesday.

The first half of the semi-final encounter saw the Uruguay international fall to the ground unchallenged from a corner kick as he stretched to head the ball.

Bentancur was treated on the pitch for around nine minutes, where he received oxygen, before being taken to hospital.

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Postecoglou, however, has confirmed that the midfielder merely sustained a concussion from the incident and would miss the next four games, in accordance with the Premier League's concussion protocols.

"All good. He's back home and he's fine. He is feeling good," Postecoglou said, ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup third round tie with National League side Tamworth.

"Thankfully, it looks like a concussion and nothing more than it.

Tottenham, Rodrigo Bentancur

Image credit: Getty Images

"Obviously, you follow the protocols now and it's a couple of weeks where you have to make sure everything is okay."

He added: "It was distressing and you saw Pedro [Porro] as the first one there and you kind of knew that it was a distressing situation.

"But I thought the lads and the medical team handled it well and thankfully all was good."

Spurs won the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 1-0 courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's late strike.

Postecoglou said that beyond Bentancur’s absence, Tottenham had no new injury problems ahead of their game against Tamworth on Sunday.

"Nothing coming out of the other night [against Liverpool], everyone got through that pretty well.

"No one really coming back in from the guys who have been absent, apart from Pape [Sarr] and [James] Maddison who are available [returning from suspension]."

Tottenham face Tamworth on Sunday, before travelling to rivals Arsenal on January 15, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Tottenham Hotspur trigger Son Heung-min contract extension, captain to stay until 2026

Updated 07/01/2025 at 10:56 GMT

Tottenham Hotspur have taken up the option to extend Son Heung-min’s contract by a year, the Premier League club have announced. The Spurs captain's contract was due to expire in the summer, meaning he could have left for free, but he is now committed to another 12 months in north London. Son has made 431 appearances and scored 169 goals for the club since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.

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Son Heung-min has signed a new contract with Tottenham that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2026.

The South Korean international has made 431 appearances and scored 169 goals across all competitions for Spurs since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2015.

The Tottenham captain's contract was due to expire in June, meaning he could have been lost for free in the summer amid rumoured interest from other big-name clubs in Europe.

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"We are delighted to announce that we have exercised the option to extend Heung-Min Son’s contract, which will now run until the summer of 2026," read a statement on the club’s website.

"Having joined the club in August, 2015, Sonny, 32, has become a global star during his time with us and a modern-day great for Tottenham Hotspur."

The 32-year-old has established himself as one of the best forwards in the world, with his 125 Premier League goals placing him in the top 20 on the all-time list.

He shared the Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah in the 2021/22 season and has three times been voted Tottenham’s player of the season.

During a difficult season for Spurs which has been blighted by injuries, Son has recorded just seven goals and six assists in all competitions.

However, his contract extension will provide manager Ange Postecoglou with a welcome boost.

Tottenham have won just one of their last five domestic fixtures and were controversially beaten 2-1 by Newcastle last time out.

Son has also made 131 appearances for South Korea and scored 51 times, helping his country qualify for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

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Tottenham Hotspur make first move of transfer window with six-year deal for Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky

Published 05/01/2025 at 11:21 GMT

Spurs have moved to shore up their depleted defence with the signing of keeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Plague, their first addition of the January transfer window. The 21-year-old Czech has signed a deal until 2031, subject to international clearance and a work permit, which is reportedly worth £12.5m plus add-ons. He underwent a medical on Saturday in north London.

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Tottenham Hotspur have signed 21-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague in their first move of the new transfer window.

The Prague native has signed a deal that will run until 2031, subject to international clearance and a work permit.

He will wear the No. 31 shirt in north London.

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Kinsky has made 29 appearances this season for Slavia Prague in the Czech First League (Chance Liga), Europa League and Champions League qualifiers, keeping 14 clean sheets, after a series of loan spells in prior seasons.

The signing of a new keeper has become an urgent priority for Spurs, with first-choice stopper Guglielmo Vicario sidelined until February after fracturing his ankle during the 4-0 rout of Manchester City in November.

His deputy, Fraser Forster, has not wholly convinced between the sticks, and 12th-placed Spurs have now won just two games from their last 11.

With Forster absent due to illness for Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, Brandon Austin was handed a league debut. Kinsky was reported to be undergoing a medical on the same day as Ange Postecoglou's side moved to shore up their defence.

Kinsky's deal is reportedly worth £12.5 million plus add-ons.

The goalkeeper began his career in his home town at FK Dukla Prague before signing for Slavia Prague in 2021.

Initially playing for the B team, he was then loaned twice to MFK Vyskov before joining FK Pardubice in July 2023 for a season-long loan, where he made his Czech First League debut.

He then returned to Slavia Prague for the 2024/25 season and earned his first senior international call-ups for the Nations League fixtures in October and November 2024, after featuring for the Czech Republic at youth level from Under-15 to Under-21.

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An injury-ridden Tottenham side provided a stern test for Newcastle on Saturday, but ultimately Spurs were not able to sneak a draw as they lost 2-1 at home to The Magpies.

But the big talking point of the match was a decision to allow an accidental handball to be waved on – which proved influential in Newcastle’s opening goal.

The ball hit the hand of Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, but play was allowed to continue, with Newcastle scoring moments later courtesy of Anthony Gordon.

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The handball was looked at by VAR, but the goal was allowed to stand, something that frustrated Ange Postecoglou.

"The last thing I want is an explanation," the Spurs manager said when asked if he had spoken to the officials.

"[I’m] hugely proud of the players; outstanding considering the situation we are in. We deserved to win the game. All things being equal, we would have."

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He elaborated when he was asked about the moment in the press conference, on a day when Spurs had plenty of chances to grab a late equaliser despite missing many of their first choice players.

"I know what everyone wants me to say. But all I will say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game, simple as that. Don’t keep asking me about the decision … I know what my opinion is.

"As I said, if that was a different day ,and it was an even and fair playing ground, we would have won that game."

While Ally McCoist on commentary was pleased the goal was allowed to stand, Karen Carney was not quite so sure.

"I have to say, I think that was a handball," she said. "I know there’s the letter of the law, I know it’s unintentional, but that still gave an advantage to Newcastle there. I think that was a handball."

The Premier League Match Centre confirmed on X that as Joelinton's arm "was by his side, in a natural position and the contact was accidental", meaning the goal was allowed to stand.

As for Postecoglou’s counterpart, Eddie Howe admitted that he might need to brush up on the laws of the game.

"I think there’s no denying that the ball hit Joe’s hand, arm," Howe said afterwards. "But I’m not sure on the rules, so someone can tell me exactly what happened."

Newcastle sit fifth in the Premier League table, having extended their winning streak to six matches in the competition, while Tottenham sit 12th, and are without a win in four matches.

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