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Tim Sherwood believes Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to derail Arsenal’s Premier League campaign at the Emirates.

Club football is set to return at the weekend, and for Tottenham Hotspur, there is no respite as they make the short trip to north London rivals Arsenal.

A trip to the Emirates Stadium is always a daunting journey for Tottenham, who are without a win in their last ten visits, although they have picked up four draws in that period.

The 2010/11 season is the last time Spurs secured a victory on Arsenal’s home turf, leaving Frank with a big task this weekend as he prepares his side for one of the most emotionally charged fixtures of the season.

Tottenham boosted by Gabriel injury concerns as Tim Sherwood speaks out

Tim Sherwood believes that Spurs could cause an upset in this league fixture as Arsenal are set to be without their centre-back Gabriel, which he feels would significantly affect their defensive balance.

The Brazil international looked to have picked up a groin injury in a friendly tie against Senegal while on international duty with Brazil, and his availability for the derby has now become a major talking point.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Sherwood explained the extent of his concerns over Gabriel’s absence and how much it could alter the dynamic of the game.

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He said: “I would say their best player [Gabriel], most instrumental player this season, leadership quality and going into a North London Derby this weekend.

“There is no bigger game with Arsenal flying high at the top of the league. You need your players, him and Saliba, for me, are the best centre back partnership in the league at the moment.

“They look like they were going to go on to win the title with a solid base with what they have. Yes, they have conceded two goals against Sunderland.

“It is a very emotional game at the weekend, Tottenham are going there to derail their season. Do not worry about that, they are going to try their best to be able to do that. It is a huge blow for Arsenal and for Mikel Arteta.”

Spurs motivation and title race implications

Arsenal are currently in a title race with Manchester City, who are behind them with four points being the difference, and this derby could influence that battle, despite it being early in the season.

Spurs would be looking to do their part in the title race by preventing their biggest rivals from getting any more points that would propel them toward silverware.

Tottenham are pushing to reassert themselves after a turbulent spell, and one midfielder believes the squad has made clear progress since swapping Ange Postecoglou for Thomas Frank.

Tottenham Hotspur are no strangers to making managerial changes in recent years, given the hiring and sacking of 15 managers under former chairman Daniel Levy, which has often forced the club into constant resets that have disrupted their rhythm.

Thomas Frank is the latest at the helm and is looking to get Spurs back to the top, where they would be competing with their rivals.

Tottenham are fifth and are ten places above where they were at this stage of the season last term under Ange Postecoglou, a sign of improvement.

Rodrigo Bentancur praises Tottenham progress under Thomas Frank

Bentancur, who only put pen to paper signing a new contract with Tottenham this season, has now opened up on what life has been like under Frank and how the team has adjusted to his demands.

Speaking to ESPN, he reflected on the early stages of the campaign and stressed that Spurs have stepped up in several areas under their new head coach, as he pointed to strong performances across different competitions.

He said, via the source, that the squad had taken noticeable strides forward, explaining: “We have a new coach, and I think we have improved a lot.

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“We started the season very well, including the UEFA Super Cup. We played a great match against PSG. They equalised at the end and we lost on penalties… but I think we have taken a step forward, and the team is competing very well.”

Bentancur’s reflections on Champions League return and personal form

Bentancur also spoke about Tottenham’s return to the Champions League and noted that being back in the competition has had a positive impact on the dressing room, with players embracing the increased demands.

Introducing his thoughts on his own form, he stressed that he feels in strong physical condition and is relishing the rhythm of consistent minutes, which has helped him find his best level again.

The Uruguayan added: “We are back in the Champions League, which is important. And I am enjoying it to the fullest. Physically I feel very good, I am playing almost all the matches. Now I have rhythm and I hope it continues like this.”

He added: “In football terms, winning the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham and qualifying for the World Cup. And on a personal level, having my family healthy, having all my family together and enjoying those small moments.”

Alan Smith has weighed in ahead of the north London derby, offering his prediction for the big game between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

It does not get much bigger than a north London derby fixture during the course of the league season for both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, given the intense rivalry between the two sides.

The Gunners come into their clash against Thomas Frank’s men sitting right at the top of the Premier League table, with a four-point lead over Manchester City.

Arteta’s men have won four of their last five outings, with a single draw in that period coming against Sunderland in their last league fixture, and they head into this one in confident mood.

Alan Smith gives Tottenham vs Arsenal prediction ahead of derby

Spurs, on the other hand, have been inconsistent, with two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five games in the Premier League.

Last time out, they clawed their way from a goal down to take the lead late on against Manchester United, but De Ligt’s goal at a later time ensured that the points were shared in what felt like a missed opportunity for Frank’s side.

Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith has now given his prediction for this clash, and he believes that Arsenal have the edge based on recent performances and Tottenham’s fitness issues.

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Speaking via BestBettingSites.co.uk, he said: “Arsenal are strong, and they will be wanting to bounce back after Sunderland.

“Spurs are in a bit of a strange position where you never quite know what you are going to get. It is lacklustre. The game against Man United certainly was.

“They have got too many players underperforming. The new lad has come in – Xavi Simons is really struggling. Kolo Muani does not look properly match fit. Tels, the same, struggled to settle.

“So with the injuries that they have got with Solanke, Kulusevski, Maddison, and that, they are finding it hard to really go at teams and ask questions and score goals.

“So I do not see them having enough. But it is a derby at the end of the day, and the gap can be closed in derbies. Having said that, I do not think Arsenal are going to be troubled too much.”

Spurs form and Arsenal injuries ahead of north London derby

Tottenham have not beaten Arsenal in their last six encounters with the Gunners, as their last victory came back on 12 May 2022, and that run will give Arteta’s side confidence heading into this contest.

However, this time, injuries could play a role in the outcome of this encounter, with both sides managing issues that have tested their squads throughout the start of the campaign.

But during the break, Arsenal picked up a few more injuries, with Gabriel and Calafiori doubts for this fixture.

Arteta’s men have been resilient at the back, keeping plenty of clean sheets already this season. If the back four loses two of its members, then Tottenham could capitalise on this.

Tottenham Hotspur could soon welcome key attackers back into the fold, and with that comes a fresh look at how Thomas Frank may shape his side once Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke are available again.

Thomas Frank has a few players sidelined, but he would be hoping to have the majority of his squad fit after the October international break, especially as he looks to keep Spurs competitive during a demanding run of fixtures.

Players like Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr have offered a bit of an injury scare, with Bergvall withdrawing from his national side, while Sarr picked up a knock against Brazil in their recent friendly, and the hope within the club is that both issues are minor.

Frank would want this to be nothing too serious, as he is set to welcome a few of his stars back from injury following the international break, giving him more freedom to tweak his system.

Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski could be integrated after the pause, and now we have identified how Frank could set up with both players in his team.

Kulusevski as a number ten with Dominic Solanke leading the Tottenham line

Should Kulusevski and Solanke return to full fitness, Frank is set to have a variety of options when setting up his team, and this includes the possibility of using Kulusevski in the number ten role, which has mostly been occupied by Xavi Simons.

The Dutch midfielder has struggled to make an impact in a Tottenham shirt, with Spurs often finding it difficult to create enough clear chances for their forwards, particularly in matches where they dominate possession without much incision.

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Putting Kulusevski through the middle could help improve that, as the Swede is technical and creative and also offers intensity in the final third with his relentless pressing, which has always been a major part of his game.

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Kulusevski, Odobert; Solanke.

Kulusevski in a deeper midfield role with Xavi Simons as the Tottenham playmaker

The pivot pairing of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur is another problem area for Spurs, with stats showing that the duo has limited Tottenham’s creativity during certain phases of matches.

Thomas Frank has backed the pairing and persisted with it regardless; however, Kulusevski’s return could give the Dane something to think about when looking for solutions in central midfield.

The Swede is not only capable of playing high up the pitch, but he can also be used in a deeper role, as he is a strong ball carrier with immense running power, a trait that would be valuable as a number eight in a system that relies heavily on vertical progression.

If Frank does deploy Kulusevski there, he can work with a front four of Simons, Kudus, Wilson Odobert and Solanke up top, while Kulusevski uses his passing ability to link up well with Simons in that number ten role.

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Kulusevski; Kudus, Simons, Odobert; Solanke.

Kulusevski off the right wing with Solanke leading the Spurs attack

Another option available for Frank, should Kulusevski and Solanke return, is deploying the Swede off the right wing, a position he has operated in consistently over the years.

Mohammed Kudus has occupied that position for most of this season, but we have seen Frank experiment a little with Kudus playing more centrally, and that could continue with Kulusevski available again.

With the Swede as an option, the Dane could look to set up that way once more, using Kudus closer to Solanke while Kulusevski offers ball carrying, dribbling and creativity from the right, with Simons then used off the left but drifting inside in the role Frank has trialled previously.

This would allow Spurs to overload the central areas similarly to what Pep Guardiola is doing with Manchester City now, giving the side tactical fluidity as Kudus, Kulusevski, and Simons operate in the pockets, allowing for positional rotations throughout the game.

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Palhinha, Bentancur, Odobert; Kudus, Solanke.

Senegal boss, Pape Thiaw, has now provided a positive injury update on Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr, after the midfielder was substituted against Brazil in a friendly game.

The international break is very much in full swing, and Tottenham Hotspur have representation across the world, with players spread across different camps.

Club football is set to return this weekend, and Thomas Frank would be hoping that his players return in great condition without any injuries as Spurs prepare for an intense run of fixtures.

There has already been some scare, with Lucas Bergvall withdrawing from the Swedish national team due to concussion-related issues.

Pape Matar Sarr also picked up a knock against Brazil in a friendly tie, which saw him subbed off, and Spurs will be hoping that these issues are not long-term.

The Senegal manager has now provided an update on Sarr’s injury, explaining why he took the Tottenham midfielder off after he felt unwell following a heavy impact, and he provided reassurance over its severity.

Speaking about the incident, he said, as relayed by football.london: “He got hit and then he did not feel well, so as a precaution he preferred to come off, but I do not think it is a big deal.”

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Spurs concerns as Arsenal also face injury worries

Spurs would be hoping that it really is not a big deal as they have a couple of top games on the horizon after the break, including one of the biggest fixtures on their calendar.

Thomas Frank’s side would be travelling to the Emirates to take on Arsenal, and he would be hoping that he can have enough of his first team players at his disposal for what is always a demanding contest.

A former Everton chief has revealed the feeling at the Merseyside club about Tottenham’s reported transfer interest in their star man, Iliman Ndiaye.

It has been reported that Tottenham want to make a statement signing to their forward line in January, with the Everton man said to be one of the names at the top of their wishlist.

Just last week, it was claimed that following Morgan Rogers’ decision to sign a new contract, Tottenham are ready to turn their attentions to Ndiaye.

This was also backed up by Fichajes, who suggested a few days ago that Spurs have already made contact over a deal for Ndiaye, who is viewed at the North London club as the perfect fit for Thomas Frank’s system.

Everton are not worried about losing Iliman Ndiaye to Tottenham

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness, who served as the CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009, has insisted that the Merseyside club are not worried about losing their star man.

He explained that the Senegal international loves playing alongside Jack Grealish and is not in a hurry to leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

When asked about Tottenham’s interest in Ndiaye, Wyness told Football Insider: “Look, you can’t help the interest. He’s doing some fantastic stuff on the pitch. He’s one of those players who gets people out of their seats when he gets the ball. He is a joy to watch, and he’s got amazing feet.

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“Everton have got no worries about this. He’s going nowhere. He’s very happy there. They’ll have a new contract with him, I’m pretty sure, fairly soon. I don’t think there’s going to be any issues at all.

“The way that Moyes is setting up the team is perfect for him. I think he loves playing with Jack Grealish. You can’t put two players on Jack Grealish when you’ve got Iliman Ndiaye as well. So, the opposition have got their hands full and Dewsbury Hall is fitting in there well.

“So look, I don’t see any issues. It’s lovely to talk about having players that other clubs want, but he’s going nowhere. I’m pretty sure he’s enjoying where he is right now.”

How much would Spurs have to pay for Ndiaye?

Some sources have suggested that it would take an offer of around £70m to get Everton to the negotiating table for Ndiaye.

That means that to have any hope of signing the 25-year-old, Tottenham Hotspur may have to break their transfer record: the £65m they paid to land Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth.

Wilson Odobert may be in for a huge 2026 as his positive Tottenham Hotspur form seems to be catching the eye of some very important people.

The left-wing area has been a problem for Spurs this season, with Thomas Frank trying several options in that role.

However, the Tottenham head coach now appears to have settled on his preferred option, with a 20-year-old delivering some bright performances over recent weeks.

The player in question is Wilson Odobert, who has been praised by Thomas Frank for ‘stepping up’ of late, and the winger could soon get some very positive news.

Tottenham winger Wilson Odobert is in line for a France call-up

According to a report in L’Equipe, Didier Deschamps is now considering calling up Odobert to the next France squad.

The Les Blues boss is looking to inject some fresh blood into the squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup, and the Tottenham man is one of the players he is watching closely.

Odobert has been a regular for France’s U21s over the last 12 months, having scored five goals in 15 appearances for them, and he could now be in line for his first senior call-up.

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However, L’Equipe point out that it will not be easy for the Tottenham Hotspur man to force his way in and establish himself in the squad, given competition from other talented youngsters such as Maghnes Akliouche and Rayan Cherki, who recently made their senior debuts.

Odobert is confident about getting game time at Spurs

The winger has been in and out of the side this season, with Frank also trying the likes of Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson and Xavi Simons in the left-wing role.

However, Odobert is confident he will get regular opportunities at Tottenham if he works hard in training, with the winger keen to make himself a fixture in the starting eleven.

Former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho comments on Spurs’ struggles this season and which manager he wants to see in N17 next.

When he made the jump from Brentford to Tottenham in the summer, Thomas Frank would have undoubtedly expected there to be more pressure and media scrutiny.

However, even the Dane may have been surprised and shocked by the size of the challenge that lies before him.

Just a few months into his Spurs career, Frank has already seen his substitutions booed by the Tottenham faithful, even though the Lilywhites sit fifth in the table and are unbeaten in the Champions League.

Pundits have already said that Frank will not be able to deliver the style of football Spurs fans expect, and it appears that a couple of more bad results could even lead to calls for his departure.

Paulinho wants to see Mauricio Pochettino back at Tottenham

Earlier this year, Mauricio Pochettino admitted that he still has unfinished business at Tottenham and would like to return to the club one day to win a trophy.

Just last week, Pochettino once again spoke about how close he came to winning big trophies at Spurs, opening the door for a return to the Premier League in the future.

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Paulinho played just one season under the Argentine at White Hart Lane, but he admits he would love to see his former head coach back at N17.

The Brazilian said in an interview with Stats Perform (as relayed by beIN SPORTS): “Pochettino was a manager whose work I really liked, his day-to-day dynamics, the content, so he stayed at Tottenham for many years and really achieved impressive results.

“If he feels he has unfinished business, then he has to go back. But he’s a manager who did a wonderful job at Tottenham, let’s say. It’s not just good, it’s not just very good, it’s wonderful, for all the seasons he was there.

“So, if one day, I think if he has the opportunity to return, I think he would have that other chance and then maybe continue the story that was interrupted.”

Paulinho says Spurs’ inconsistency is not a surprise

The former Tottenham midfielder put Tottenham’s tendency to blow hot and cold this season down to the increased competitiveness of the Premier League.

The 37-year-old is hopeful that his former side’s fortunes will turn around sooner rather than later.

When asked about Tottenham’s struggles this season, Paulinho responded: “The Premier League is tough these days. So, I think there are obviously some fluctuations in results, but that’s due to the level of competition.

“These moments of fluctuation will happen, and then it’s obviously up to those who are managing and taking care of the processes to know the right timing to perhaps improve one situation and manage another a little better.

“And that’s how I think football works. And especially when it comes to the Premier League, which gets more difficult every year. But I think that, overall, Tottenham has always been a club that has been very well managed by the people involved. It’s an important club worldwide. So, I hope things improve.”

Thierry Henry took a dig at Tottenham at their own stadium and has given an early prediction for the North London derby next Sunday.

Most of Tottenham’s and Arsenal’s players are away on international duty around the world, but the focus of both sets of supporters shifts to the first North London derby of the season in a week’s time.

The Gunners go into the game at the Emirates as massive favourites, with Tottenham having not won a Premier League game at their rivals’ stadium since 2010.

Spurs could have double-digit injury absentees for their trip across North London, and an Arsenal legend has begun the war of words ahead of the big clash.

Thierry Henry sends a dig at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time on Saturday evening to watch Conor Benn defeat Chris Eubank Jr.

The 48-year-old was asked what he thought about being in enemy territory for the first time, and he told DAZN: “Weird. I never came to the new stadium, I used to come to the old one and win a lot, but it’s nice.”

As expected, the pundit backed his beloved Gunners side to pick up three points against their old enemy next Sunday.

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When asked to predict the result of the North London derby, Henry responded: “As a fan, I’m going to have to go with Arsenal. I do think we look solid, a bit less against Sunderland the other day, but it’s time for us, so hopefully it can happen.”

Mixed injury news for Arsenal ahead of North London derby

It emerged a few days ago that Arsenal could welcome back five key players for the clash against Tottenham.

Noni Madueke is expected to take to the field at the Emirates, while Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard are also pushing to be fit.

A player whom Tottenham Hotspur only signed in the summer has emerged as a target for Roma ahead of the January transfer window.

It has been mixed fortunes so far for the seven signings that Tottenham made in the summer, with some faring much better than others.

While the limelight has been focused on the struggles of Xavi Simons, another highly-rated youngster who arrived through the door at N17 in a permanent deal in the summer, is yet to find his feet in the Premier League.

It has now been suggested that he may be bound for the exit door in the upcoming transfer window.

Mathys Tel wants to leave Tottenham amidst transfer interest

A couple of days ago, we relayed a report from Italy which claimed that Mathys Tel is on the radar of AS Roma.

This has now been backed up by a report in Gazzetta dello Sport, which states that AS Roma have identified Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee as their top target.

Should the Gialorrossi fail to agree on a deal, they are expected to turn to Tel, who they see as a versatile option who can be used on the flanks and as a number nine.

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Interestingly, Gazzetta say that the former Bayern Munich man is in favour of leaving Spurs after being left out of their Champions League squad.

It is asserted that Tel wants regular game time and is thus open to exiting the North London club on loan.

Why Spurs are unlikely to consider offloading Tel in January

Tottenham have had issues in the number nine role, and it has even been widely reported that Spurs are looking to add another striker to their squad in January.

Additionally, Randal Kolo Muani could be out of action for the foreseeable future after fracturing his jaw.