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Tottenham Hotspur step back into Premier League action against Arsenal with both sides unveiling key team news ahead of the north London derby.

Tottenham Hotspur are kicking a football for the first time in two weeks today in their Premier League fixture against north London rivals Arsenal.

The Lilywhites come into this fixture off the back of a 2-2 draw against Manchester United, while Arsenal were also held to a 2-2 draw in their last league encounter with Sunderland.

Frank will be hoping he can secure a first win for Tottenham against their rivals at the Emirates Stadium, a feat that has not been reached since the 2010/11 season.

Tottenham confirmed team news as Thomas Frank prepares for derby

The Dane has been handed a few boosts on the fitness front coming into this derby game, which is much needed given the fixture run ahead.

Randal Kolo Muani is available for selection following scares that he was set to miss months because of a jaw injury.

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Lucas Bergvall was also back in contention, while Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai and Ben Davies have all returned to training.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke remain sidelined, but Mohammed Kudus returned after missing the last two games in the Champions League and league, respectively.

This is the Spurs team which takes to the field at the Emirates Stadium today:

Tottenham: Vicario; Spence, Danso, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Richarlison, Odobert.

Subs: Kinsky, Porro, Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, Xavi, Tel, Johnson, Kolo Muani

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hancipie, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Merino

Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.

Arsenal are yet to taste a defeat in their last five league outings and are also without a loss in their last six games against Spurs, but Tottenham fans will be hoping their side can secure a victory here.

Tottenham’s away form and derby pressure

The Gunners have a good record after international breaks, and that will give them confidence as they take to the pitch.

But Tottenham need to make their away advantage count as they have done for most of the season, remaining without a defeat on their travels.

This is a game that matters most to fans of both clubs, and Frank will need to ensure that it is his own supporters who leave the ground with the bragging rights.

Tottenham Hotspur have ridden an emotional rollercoaster this season, but one recent flashpoint involving Thomas Frank and two senior players has now drawn criticism from a former Spurs player.

Emotions are a big part of the game as we all know it, and at times, they can cause players and fans to flare up when results go against them.

This season, we have seen a host of emotions at Tottenham Hotspur games, but the one that caught the headlines was the moment after Spurs’ derby match against Chelsea.

The Blues defeated Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the performance from the Lilywhites is up there as the worst of the season.

Spurs were outplayed throughout the league fixture against Chelsea, and fans made their feelings known after the full-time whistle, with boos being fired at Frank and his players.

Darren Anderton criticises Spence and van de Ven

The Dane did not only catch flak from his fans, but his players also added to it all after Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven refused to shake the manager at full-time, even when he moved towards them.

Frank has revealed that the situation has been handled and the club has clearly moved on from it, but former Tottenham winger Darren Anderton has shared his view and made it clear he was not impressed.

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Speaking to The Sun, Anderton explained why he thought the reaction from the players crossed a line, especially given the context of the defeat and the responsibility senior players carry.

He said, “I did not like that at all. We are all frustrated after losing a game.

“But you have got to deal with that in a different manner. You have not performed well. You do not start mugging off the manager. If you have got something to say to him, you say it to him in the changing room when you are having a conversation.”

Spurs need to refocus ahead of next test

Frank’s Spurs tenure will receive a lift-off if he can deliver a win against the league leaders, Arsenal, and Anderton believes the players must approach the next match with confidence.

Speaking again to The Sun, he gave his view on why Spurs should still back themselves.

Anderton added: “I do not think there is any reason why the Spurs boys should go there not thinking that they can go and win.

“There is enough quality, enough results away from home this season to give them a belief that they can do that.

“The games we used to play, even when they were with Arsene Wenger and we were playing with a Christian Gross, you always thought you had a chance in the derby. It was such a good game to play in. It was such a leveller.”

Alan Shearer has predicted the result of today’s North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

There is a buzz around North London as the first North London derby of the season approaches, and all the pressure is squarely on one team.

Arsenal need a win to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table, with Man City now breathing down their necks.

Spurs will go to the Emirates Stadium to try and dent the Gunners’ title hopes and move back into the top four, with Thomas Frank admitting that he is excited about his first taste of the big derby.

Alan Shearer believes it’s a must-win for Arsenal

Shearer admitted that while derby games are hard to call, he believes that Mikel Arteta’s men will not view anything other than three points as an option.

The Newcastle legend expects a tight affair at the Emirates, but he backed the home side to edge out their North London rivals.

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When asked to predict the big clash, Shearer told The Metro: “Man City will have already played and claimed their points, or none. But whatever happens, Arsenal’s mentality is that they have to win the game.

“It’s always tough to predict a derby game, but I think I’m just going to go for Arsenal to edge it. I usually go for a draw, but I think I’ll just go for Arsenal to edge it.”

Shearer has seen an improvement in Spurs under Thomas Frank

There has been plenty of debate on the impact of Thomas Frank, whose decisions have come in for plenty of criticism of late, in light of Tottenham’s poor displays, especially at home.

However, Shearer insists that he has seen clear improvements with certain aspects of the Lilywhites’ play and suggested that the former Brentford boss needs time to get Spurs where he wants to.

The pundit added about Tottenham: ‘From 17th last season to where they are now, the football hasn’t been great from Spurs, but you can see a stamp from Thomas Frank on that team.

“They’ve improved at set-pieces, and I think it’ll take time. I think Thomas Frank will be quietly pleased with how things have gone so far.”

Tim Sherwood has claimed that a beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur star has an opportunity to become a hero at the Emirates Stadium.

Out of the seven signings Tottenham made in the summer, the one that excited the supporters the most was Xavi Simons.

However, it can be argued that he has been the least impressive of the lot so far, with the 22-year-old struggling to come to terms with the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

Xavi has already been written off as a flop by some pundits, but the attacking midfielder was showing some positive signs ahead of the international break.

Tim Sherwood claims Xavi Simons can become an overnight Tottenham hero

Sherwood has now urged Thomas Frank to play the Dutchman in his preferred number 10 role at the Emirates so that he can show what he can do.

The former Spurs interim head coach suggested that the North London derby presents a great opportunity for the former RB Leipzig man to win over the Tottenham faithful.

Sherwood said about Xavi to Sky Sports: “Play him where he wants to play, he wants to play as a number ten, but Thomas Frank doesn’t play with a number ten.

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“He must have told him when he was coming to sign, or Xavi Simons shouldn’t have come, if he said, I’m going to play you off the left, but you can drift or play off the right, and you can drift into central areas, then he’s got absolutely no excuse.

“He’s got to deliver when he gets on the ball, and he’s got to show a lot more than what he’s shown. I think there’s a lot of onus on him, like I said, the reputation.

“It’s difficult to adjust to a different country and to adjust to the Premier League; it does take time. It normally takes time, and the time becomes easier if you’ve got better players around you, feeding him the ball.

“The fans like him, he [Frank] got booed when he bought him off against Man United before the international break, but that’s for a reason, because they’re starved of any creativity within the rest of the team.

“We’re saying Tottenham are doing well in the Premier League, but at home, they’re not doing very well. This game on Sunday is all about making heroes, and there’s a chance for him to be an instant hero.

“You can score against Arsenal and get a positive result, then automatically you get elevated into that hero status, and they’ve got an opportunity to be able to do that.

“He’s got the ability, of course, he has, but they’re all very similar in his position. Odobert, Tel, Kudus. Kudus has done all right, but they’re very, very similar. I don’t think Tottenham have got the balance right, and certainly haven’t got the recruitment right.”

Will Xavi start the North London derby?

Pape Matar Sarr has been passed fit for the Arsenal clash, and one would expect the midfielder to come into the starting eleven.

Thomas Frank has gone with a midfield three of Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha at times away from home and against the likes of Chelsea at home.

If he goes with the same midfield at the Emirates, Xavi will be competing with Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Brenna Johnson for the left-sided spot in the front three, and it would not be surprising if he does not make the eleven.

Tottenham Hotspur have no shortage of wide options this season, yet one former player believes Brennan Johnson is not showing enough of the positivity needed to truly stake his claim.

There is competition for places in the wide areas at Tottenham Hotspur this season, with Thomas Frank having a variety of options to pick from and several players pushing hard for minutes.

Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert, and Xavi Simons are all available for selection out wide, which naturally increases the pressure on each of them to deliver consistently.

However, not all have impressed so far, and former Tottenham winger Darren Anderton has singled out one player who he feels has not been positive enough in his overall play.

Darren Anderton on Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson

Speaking to The Sun, Darren Anderton explained his concerns about Brennan Johnson’s approach and why he believes the winger is capable of far more, particularly given his pace and technical profile.

He hinted that Johnson has the tools to dominate defenders but is not using those attributes as aggressively as he should, before going into further detail about the Welshman’s decision–making.

Anderton said, “I like Brennan. I am just trying to figure out why he is not just destroying teams with the pace and the quality that he has got.

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“He is happy just to get in the box and nick a goal, but in general, I just do not think he is positive enough for his attributes in terms of his pace and getting to the byline. I think he has just got to go out and play that way.

“Kudus is a great player. He is strong, brave, does a bit of everything. He is the sort of player you want on your team.

“You know he will not let you down. You know he is not going to have that disaster of a performance that maybe Johnson will.”

Why Kudus is ahead of Brennan Johnson in the pecking order

Indeed, Johnson has to improve his game if he is to see more minutes in a Tottenham shirt.

Last season, he was impressive, especially in the box, thanks to his ability to read the game well and get into good positions for a tap-in.

Johnson was Spurs’ top scorer last term, with the Welshman scoring 18 goals, including the only goal in the Europa League final, a strike that etched his name into the history books at Tottenham.

This season, however, out wide on the right, Frank looks to prefer Mohammed Kudus, who has a lot more to his game when compared to Johnson.

Jermaine Jenas has said that Tottenham and Arsenal are plagued by the same problem and has predicted what will happen in the North London derby.

While Tottenham have a much better record at home against their bitter rivals than they do at the Emirates, Thomas Frank may actually be quietly pleased that his first North London derby is away from home.

That is because Spurs have been formidable away from home this season, while they have not won at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since the opening day of the campaign.

Opta’s Supercomputer believes the Gunners are overwhelming favourites to get three points, but one former Tottenham man disagrees.

Tottenham can get a result at the Emirates

The Lilywhites have a poor record at the home ground of their rivals, but Arsenal will be without Gabriel for the North London derby after the centre-back picked up an injury while on international duty.

That comes as a big blow to Mikel Arteta’s men, given the Brazilian’s effectiveness in both boxes, and Jermaine Jenas believes that the Lilywhites could nick a point tomorrow.

The former Spurs midfielder said on The Wildcards Podcast: “Spurs have not won at the Emirates in the league since I was there, which is insane. How long can that continue?

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“This team had a great result away at City. They can go to places and just dig out some results when they’re away from home. For some reason, at home, they’ve been shocking now for nearly 18 months, but away from home, it’s like they just know their jobs better.

“I don’t think they’ll get a win. I think they could nick a draw. I’m going for 1-1.”

Spurs and Arsenal have issues in front of goal

While Arsenal are eight points clear of Tottenham and sit at the summit of the Premier League table, they have scored just one more goal than their rivals this season.

Jenas believes that both sides are plagued by a lack of goalscorers in the final third, which is why he does not envisage a low-scoring clash.

The pundit added: “When you look at the pitch, where are all the goals coming from for both teams? I mean, you’ve got Saka obviously, for Arsenal and Eze has got that capability as well, as he showed me midweek for England.

“For Spurs with their front line, you don’t know what’s going to happen and you haven’t got a clue who is going turn up.

“If Kudus is fit, that changes the dynamic a little but I don’t see loads of goals in this game, and if someone will win it, it will be Arsenal. I’m just trying to work out if I can get Spurs to nick a draw, so I’m going to go 1-1.”

Sandro has named four Tottenham Hotspur players who could step up in the North London derby for the Lilywhites.

The build-up to the derby is in full swing, and with the clash now just hours away, the nerves are starting to build for Spurs fans.

Tottenham have a woeful record at the Emirates, but that is something that the current team may believe they can put right, given their formidable record away from home this season.

Thomas Frank has admitted that he is ‘super excited’ for his first taste of the North London derby, revealing that he is aware of what this game means to the supporters.

Sandro backs four Tottenham players to show fight against Arsenal

Sandro starred in several North London derbies, and the Brazilian was certainly not short of a fight. In fact, it was his heart, passion and mentality that made him a fan favourite at Tottenham.

The 36-year-old believes that the current Spurs team is not short of characters who can stand their ground, naming Joao Palhinha, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence as players who could have a big impact at the Emirates.

When asked what his message is to the Spurs players ahead of the derby, Sandro told The Sun: “It’s to fight. To fight is the only way – we have to go there and fight. Because against Arsenal, if we slip even just a bit, we are done.

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“We have to fight, and we have the players to do that and give it their all. We have players who can fight. Palhinha in the middle, van de Ven, Romero, Spence, they love to fight. We are not scared of Arsenal.”

Sandro believes Spurs can close the gap with Arsenal

While the Gunners are many people’s favourites for the Premier League title, Tottenham are considered outsiders for a top-four finish.

However, Sandro insists that the gap between the two North London sides is not as big as it may appear, suggesting that Frank can bridge that gap this season.

He added: “I think we are improving. I think we are improving and Arsenal is already there at that level. I think the work that Arteta is doing, we have to give time for Thomas Frank to do. This is so new for Tottenham. The players are the same, but we are improving.

“We won a trophy, okay, we didn’t play well. But now, can we keep the players, and can we improve the level of the football? I think Arsenal are one step ahead of us is all, but the gap is not massive. It’s getting smaller.”

Chris Hughton believes that a player Tottenham Hotspur signed in the summer is exactly what they needed.

Spurs brought seven players through the door in the summer transfer window, and some have had a better impact than others.

While Joao Palhinha has looked like he never left the Premier League, it has been a different story for the likes of Xavi Simons, who has struggled to hit the ground running at Tottenham.

However, the man who has arguably had the best impact is Mohammed Kudus, who has been one of the best wingers across the Premier League this season.

Chris Hughton praises Tottenham for Mohammed Kudus deal

Kudus has been named in WhoScored’s Team of the Season so far, and the £55m that Tottenham spent on him now appears to be a bargain.

Hughton was very impressed with the deal that the Lilywhites struck with their London rivals, West Ham, and the way that the Ghanaian has taken to the big stage.

When asked about the signing of Kudus, the former Ghana head coach told Flashscore: “I think it was an excellent signing and for me it wasn’t a difficult signing. He had two years at West Ham.

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“Arguably, his first season was probably his best season, but I think in the nature of even the finances, the deal for Kudus to go to Tottenham made a lot of sense to me.

“The fact that they wanted this type of player… It’s a big stage. In England, it’s a big stage, particularly this stadium. So I think it made sense, and he has started his career at Tottenham in good form, particularly for a team that wants to get a lot of crosses into the box. It’s been a good start for him, and it made sense.”

Kudus is loving life at Spurs

There is no doubt that Thomas Frank has managed to get the best out of Kudus, who followed up his excellent debut season at West Ham with a poor one last term.

The 25-year-old has admitted that he is enjoying the freedom he has been given in Frank’s system at Spurs, revealing that he is encouraged to keep going even if he loses the ball.

Tottenham fans will be hoping that the Ghanaian’s form continues as they enter a crucial part of their campaign.

Tim Sherwood has made a surprising claim about Mohammed Kudus after the Ghana international’s impressive start to life at Spurs.

Some pundits were not convinced by Tottenham’s signing of Mohammed Kudus, pointing out that he tended to blow hot and cold at West Ham.

However, the £55m that the Lilywhites spent on the 25-year-old now looks like a bargain, with the winger comfortably being the club’s best attacker so far this season.

In fact, Tottenham have been accused of being over-reliant on Kudus in attack, given the lack of cutting-edge that Thomas Frank’s men have been plagued with in the final third this campaign.

Tim Sherwood questions Kudus’ consistency

Kudus has been named in WhoScored’s Team of the Season so far, being the only Tottenham player to make the eleven.

The former West Ham player has six goal contributions to his name in 10 Premier League outings so far this season, and while Sherwood has labelled him ‘refreshing’, he suggested that the winger lacks the consistency to become an elite player.

Sherwood told Sky Sports: “They’ve (Tottenham) got the likes of Kudus, who’s been refreshing. He’s picked up a few injuries, but when he’s played, he’s been a plus.

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“He’s not been outstanding, but I don’t think he’s ever going to be outstanding. He’s not consistent enough to be that man. But he has moments, and hopefully he can have a moment at the weekend.

“They’re all similar the wide [players]. I wasn’t convinced when they brought Xavi Simons in because I felt he was similar to [Wilson] Odobert, who is similar to [Mathys] Tel, who is similar to what they’ve already got.

“Kudus has come in, I thought he was quite similar but he’s got a little bit more personality. I think he takes the game to the opposition a little bit more, and he’s got more end product.”

Sherwood has not been impressed by Thomas Frank’s Spurs

The former Tottenham midfielder and interim coach claimed that he has not seen signs that Frank is taking the team in the right direction.

He suggested that failing to win a trophy and missing out on Champions League qualification would mean that the Dane has failed at N17 this season.

Sherwood added: “I haven’t been really impressed with Tottenham, even though their position in the league is fine at the moment.

“They’ve had Europa League success, they’ve had the open top bus, they’ve tasted it. If they were to finish outside the Champions League and didn’t win a domestic trophy, it would be a failure.

“They’ve already lost the biggest game of the season [so far] which was the Newcastle game in the Carabao Cup. That was a huge game of football, they had to win that.

“So, they’re up against it to have a successful season because the only thing that Tottenham fans will see as success is to finish in the Champions League. Europa League will not tick the box for them.”

Former Tottenham defender and interim head coach, Chris Hughton, has launched a passionate defence of Thomas Frank and his start to life at Spurs.

There is no doubt that Spurs have not been at their fluent best for the majority of their games this season so far, and Thomas Frank has come in for plenty of criticism of late.

However, the Dane may be a little bewildered at the reactions from Spurs fans and the media, given that Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League table and are unbeaten in the Champions League.

Frank has even seen his substitutions being booed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is something the 52-year-old would not have experienced at Brentford.

Chris Hughton believes Thomas Frank has made a good start at Spurs

Hughton has now opined that, given Spurs’ bloated injury list so far this season, the Danish coach has made a positive start to his time at N17.

He pointed out that it takes time for a manager to implement his style and culture at a club and urged the Tottenham faithful to give Frank some time.

The 66-year-old told Flashscore: “I think you have to look at the league position, where the team is at the moment. The team had won the Europa League last season, which was incredible, but the league position was disappointing.”

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“So the league position at the moment is a good position. The club, because of last season’s success, are in the Champions League. So I think overall you have to say that he has started well.

“It takes time. To give Thomas Frank some justification and credit, he’s been missing some big players. (Dejan) Kulusevski, (Dominic) Solanke, (James) Maddison, these are all big players. So I think it will take him time.

“I think when you’re a new manager going into a club, sometimes it can take another two windows to formulate your best team, the way that you want to play. Taking all that into consideration, it’s been a good start. But everybody always wants more; it’s normal. But I think it’s been a good start.”

Frank and Spurs star have called for better support at home

The Tottenham boss has called for better support from the home fans during the matches, urging them not to boo the side when the game is ongoing.

Guglielmo Vicario has also said that the players would like a little more help from the supporters, but those comments have not gone down well with the Spurs fans.

Unless the team manage to turn around their results at N17 in front of their expectant home fans, the toxic atmosphere will likely not go away.