Football London

Here's the Tottenham Hotspur team that we reckon Thomas Frank will select to face Arsenal in Sunday's North London Derby

It's North London Derby day and Thomas Frank finally has some options to choose from as Tottenham make the short trip to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs entered the international break with 12 players unavailable for this fixtures only for Frank to reveal at his press conference on Friday that eight of them are now back in training. That means the Dane can call upon attackers Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Muani, complete with a face mask to protect his fractured jaw, as well as midfielders Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray and defenders Ben Davies, Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin, who played 45 minutes in an under-21s friendly last week against Leyton Orient.

That means options galore for the Spurs head coach to select on his team and bench to take on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team in the first competitive North London Derby of the season after the summer friendly in Hong Kong.

Spurs also enjoyed an international break in which most of the Tottenham players either played just the one game for their country or in some cases neither, meaning a fresh squad for the first of a series of big matches that come in quick succession with a trip to Paris to face PSG in the Champions League coming in midweek.

On Sunday, the main choice for Frank in the defence comes at left-back between Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie with both having done well against Bukayo Saka in recent seasons. In central midfield, Sarr, Bergvall and Gray may not be fit enough to start and the choice for the head coach lies in whether Xavi Simons does alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha or whether the Dutchman, who scored for his country in the week, plays on the left of the attack.

Frank will be hoping Kudus is fit enough to start, and then he must choose between Richarlison and the masked Kolo Muani up front or even the in-form Mathys Tel and he will also have to decide if Kudus does start whether Brennan Johnson, Xavi or Wilson Odobert takes the spot on the left.

Here's the Tottenham team we reckon Frank will select to face the Gunners:

Gabriel has been an integral part of an Arsenal who are four points clear at the top of the Premier League but he has suffered a cruel injury blow

Jurrien Timber says Arsenal now have a squad capable of dealing with Gabriel Magalhaes' devastating injury blow.

Gabriel has been an integral part of a Gunners side top of the Premier League - and one that kept a record-equalling eight clean sheets before the 2-2 draw with Sunderland last time out.

But the centre-back will miss the north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday after injuring his thigh while playing for Brazil last weekend.

Timber, however, has highlighted the squad's strength in depth as they target another statement victory at the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "Look at our defenders. I’ve played centre-back, Riccardo (Calafiori) played centre-back, Myles (Lewis-Skelly) was midfielder, Ben White was a centre-back – Piero (Hincapie) and Cristhian (Mosquera) as well can play anywhere.

“There is less difference between those defensive positions now. With Manchester City too, we saw it with Nathan Ake who I know from my national team. He played centre-back, left-back. Then when I played against City, (Manuel) Akanji was at left-back.

"When I first came to Arsenal, I came as a right-back or a right centre-back. I’d never played left-back, but in my first game, that’s where I was. Like I say, you just evolve with the team."

Arsenal's eight consecutive clean sheets matched a 122-year-old club record, but they conceded two at Sunderland before the international break.

Timber says it's a team effort and added: "So far, so good. We need to keep it going, because it will all mean nothing if we start having goals against us.

"The mentality we have is that nothing's done yet. It's nice, but that's it. It's something to take with you as a good feeling, to keep you going as a motivation. It’s nothing to be proud of yet in my opinion. It shows we are getting better, it’s an indicator in that way, but that’s it.

"There's a good connection in the team. It doesn't even matter who plays in the back line, it's just the same connection, you know? And also that goes towards our midfield and towards our attack. When you come into this team, there is something that connects each other.”

EXCLUSIVE: Sol Campbell reveals advantage Tottenham hold as he makes prediction for Arsenal clash

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Sol Campbell offered his prediction for the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium

Sol Campbell believes Tottenham have "nothing to lose" in the North London Derby - with all the emphasis on title-chasing Arsenal.

As the Gunners look to respond to their draw to Sunderland, Campbell has encouraged Mikel Arteta’s players to handle the challenge of facing such an unpredictable element.

Speaking on behalf of Paddy Power, he told Football London: “I think [Spurs] definitely have nothing to lose. I mean, that's the thing sometimes, when you've got nothing to lose.

“The second you become established and then people are relying on you, that's a different type of pressure.

“So, they've got nothing to lose, and so the defenders have to counteract that and make sure they're ready for the game because sometimes when you’ve got nothing to lose, you do things in certain scenarios.

“You do this run, but you probably never usually do that type of run, and you can surprise. That's the thing with a team that’s looking to upset, they're willing to try things.

“And sometimes you can't always predict, and that's the thing. I think Arsenal have to be wary that they have nothing to lose, and that's a scary place to be in.

“You've got to handle that because, if they lose two or three nil, who cares? But they might nick a 2-1 win, and that changes the whole perspective of the league.”

Campbell also revealed what Riccardo Calafiori’s new defensive partner might need to do in the wake of Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury. The Italian is known for his exuberant style that sees him break lines and pop up in areas no one would expect of a left-back.

Asked what he would do if partnered with someone like the 23-year-old, he said: “I think it depends on how comfortable you are with the space around you. Some defenders want people, players around them.

“Others are quite comfortable with green, a lot of space, and they can command that space, and they don't mind, they're quick and they're nimble, and they're very clever, and they make sure they're in the right position.

“I would say it depends on where you are in your career. I think if I'm 35 years old playing there and someone goes scarpering and I've got massive amounts of green, maybe not, I want my left back there.

“If I'm 23, 24, it's not a problem because I'm as quick as anything and have good positioning.” He added: “Ashley Cole was one of the first guys to be doing that. He used to pop up for goals and whether he's on the right side is another thing.

“Not on the right side, but he's definitely up and down, operating in the midfield and operating up and down the left side and scoring, popping up and scoring goals. But I don't think he made it across to the right side.”

football.london predicts the Arsenal team to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium, with a spectacle expected from the Gunners and those in the stands. Mikel Arteta has been hit with the blow of Gabriel Magalhaes' injury at the worst time.

That said, there is hope that some returning players may be considered. The replacement of Gabriel will have a big job to do, and there are several who could fill in for the Brazilian.

With that said, Arteta needs to select a winning formula for the match that aims to get back to winning ways. Here is how football.london predicts the Gunners' boss might set up.

David Raya

The Spaniard let in two goals at Sunderland and was somewhat at fault for the late equaliser too. He hopes to get back to keeping clean sheets in this North London Derby.

Jurrien Timber

The right-back has been in brilliant form for the Gunners, and his job will likely be stopping the tricky Odobert from threatening the Arsenal right flank on Sunday.

Cristhian Mosquera

With Gabriel Magalhaes out, a player needs to come into the back line and having played the most this season, the Spaniard stands out as the obvious choice.

William Saliba

This means the Frenchman moves over to the left centre-half slot. This said, it could as easily be Piero Hincapie who is instead given the nod over Mosquera on the afternoon.

Riccardo Calafiori

Having missed both of the international matches for Italy and having not trained until the weekend, there remains a question over Calafiori, but Myles Lewis-Skelly will be waiting just in case he is needed.

Martin Zubimendi

The Spaniard is being talked up as the best in the world for his position by Spanish media after another goal for his country. He now faces his first-ever North London Derby.

Declan Rice

A man for the big occasion, but will he be able to deliver on the biggest stage and find a special delivery, or three, for the Gunners this weekend?

Eberechi Eze

The man who nearly joined Tottenham in the summer now faces them. Martin Odegaard is hoping to rejoin the squad soon as competition for places steps up, but Eze is likely to start.

Bukayo Saka

A man who loves a goal against his North London rivals and another one here would be vital in hopes of continuing to chase the Premier League title.

Mikel Merino

With still so many question marks over all three natural centre-forwards, it does look like Mikel Merino is the likeliest candidate to start. And with a great record in big games, that should be encouraging.

Leandro Trossard

Scored the winner in the same fixture last season, the in-form man of the group, Leandro Trossard, would love to be the hero again on Sunday.

EXCLUSIVE: Sol Campbell's true feelings on Arsenal vs Tottenham and how he's embracing the rivalry

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Sol Campbell discusses the North London Derby rivalry, with Arsenal hosting Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday

Sol Campbell believes that the famous north London derby "edge" will be centre stage on Sunday – and any title-race talk is just a sideshow.

The Gunners’ record has been so good in their half of the north of the capital, but the stakes are higher than ever, with anything other than a win not good enough for Mikel Arteta.

A Premier League title chase is on the line, which transcends any rival squabbles. For Campbell, it is these games which elevate the sport to another level.

The Gunners icon, speaking on behalf of Paddy Power, exclusively told Football London: “I think for me, there's always that edge, and I think it's always going to be there. That's the key, I think, that keeps certain aspects of football alive. You are alive; there are so many things connected with the game.

“Some families have fans on both sides in one family. Others just want to watch a great game. Players want to have bragging rights in north London.

“Everybody wants to go and sing songs in the pubs and things like that. So these kind of games, these derbies, I mean, up and down the country, there's derbies everywhere. Honestly, I think it just keeps football going to another level.

“I think it keeps people, you know, raging, happy, sad, ecstatic. It gives everything in 90 minutes. So I think these games are definitely the soul of the Premier League, these derbies up and down the country.”

Campbell has become synonymous with the derby having made the switch from Tottenham to Arsenal back in 2001 in one of the most dramatic moves ever.

It was a decision that saw anger directed at him from the Tottenham half, while he became forever loved for what he achieved under Arsene Wenger.

In the years since his retirement, Campbell has certainly learned to embrace the light-hearted, humorous side of his story, and early in 2025, released what would become a viral advert with Google.

Campbell revealed that despite a focus that would delight any Arsenal fan who watched it, the idea came from an unlikely source.

“Google came to me and said, ‘Do you want to do this situation?’ It's a little bit different, and the guy who actually came up with the idea is a Tottenham fan!

He added: “They did a really good job to help me through the whole filming. It's definitely one of the biggest adverts Google has ever done.”

There will be no time for jokes once the whistle is blown at 4:30pm on Sunday, however, and Campbell believes that for the Gunners this is a ‘special moment’ and coming back off the dropping of points before the break, momentum must be retained.

He added: “This is a special moment when you've got a great squad, you've got a great mentality. The manager has acquired and forged this top team from great products of the youth system to buy really cleverly in the market, and they know there's no time to switch off anymore.

“They've got to keep this momentum going because momentum can just go like a flash if you do not respect it, and I think everyone's on it, on and off the field. I think they're looking after themselves because they know how important it is.”

Arsenal are set to be without some big names when they face Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but Mikel Arteta has other options at his disposal

Mikel Arteta has four huge decisions to make ahead of the north London derby. Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they each look to return to winning ways.

Before the international break, Sunderland held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. The Lilywhites also dropped points, squandering a stoppage-time lead to Manchester United on home turf.

Since Arteta replaced Unai Emery in the dugout, Arsenal have only lost to Tottenham three times, with two of those coming in the Spaniard's debut campaign. The third and most recent defeat to Spurs was in May 2022, when Harry Kane dumped the Gunners out of the race for Champions League qualification.

Arsenal have won five of their six meetings with the Lilywhites since. This weekend, the Premier League leaders have the opportunity to record a fourth consecutive victory against Tottenham for the first time since 1989.

So, with history to be made, football.london has looked at four key decisions that could swing the tie in Arteta's favour.

Arteta faces Saliba dilemma

Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a thigh injury over the international break. The 27-year-old defender was forced to come off during Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday.

He's due to undergo another scan next week; however, Arteta has already confirmed the centre-back could be out for a matter of 'weeks'. Fortunately, the Spaniard has a wealth of options at his disposal when selecting a new partner for William Saliba.

Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have shown great promise since joining the Gunners from Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, in the summer transfer window. Jurrien Timber and Ben White could also replace Gabriel in the backline, though they're often preferred at right-back.

Arsenal trio push for starring role

With Viktor Gyokeres somewhat a doubt for the north London derby, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Leandro Trossard will have been looking to catch Arteta's eye in training this week. The first of the three is the only natural striker on paper, although he's recently come back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Jesus has only recently returned to first-team training as he looks to rebuild his fitness following an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Merino has impressed whenever he's been asked to lead the frontline, while Trossard's eye for goal makes him a worthy candidate for the vacancy up top.

Lewis-Skelly battles for Arsenal chance

Riccardo Calafiori missed each of Italy's final World Cup qualifiers due to injury. With question marks over the 23-year-old defender's availability, Arteta could hand Myles Lewis-Skelly his first Premier League start of the season.

The Hale End graduate faces tough competition for a place in the starting lineup, with Hincapie also capable of playing left-back. Timber has played on the opposite flank in the past, so he too could cover Calafiori.

Frank helps Arteta make Eze decision

Thomas Frank aimed a cheeky dig at Eberechi Eze in his pre-match press conference. The Dane was asked whether he thought Tottenham had wrapped up a deal for the former Crystal Palace maestro before Arsenal swooped in.

"Who's Eze?" replied Frank with a straight face. After a brief awkward silence, the Spurs boss added: "Very good player. He plays for Arsenal – a team we want to beat on Sunday."

Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke are both close to returning from spells on the sidelines. While it's unlikely that they'll start on Sunday afternoon, Frank's remark will have given Eze the ammunition he needs to fire Arsenal to victory.

Eberechi Eze was expected to join Tottenham in the summer before Arsenal swooped to sign the England international

Thomas Frank has responded to questions regarding Eberechi Eze's rumoured transfer to Tottenham Hotspur over the summer.

Eze was heavily linked with a move away from Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window. Unlike some other players, the Englishman continued to feature for the Eagles until his £67.5m move to Arsenal earlier this season.

The 27-year-old closed out his time at Palace with an FA Cup and a Community Shield. Eze is now enjoying life at Arsenal, but there was a moment where he looked set to join Spurs instead.

Tottenham had struck a deal with Palace in the summer, but Mikel Arteta's side hijacked the move and secured Eze’s talents for themselves. An injury to Kai Havertz accelerated Arsenal's desire to sign the attacking midfielder.

Ahead of this weekend's North London Derby, Tottenham manager Frank was asked whether he thought the club had secured the deal for Eze before Arsenal swooped in for the England international.

With a straight face, Frank replied: "Who's Eze?" After a moment of laughter from reporters who recognised he was joking, the Spurs boss added: "Very good player. He plays for Arsenal – a team we want to beat on Sunday."

Now a few months have passed since Eze chose Arsenal over their bitter rivals, Frank can laugh about it. However, looking back at the time the deal collapsed, it didn’t seem a laughing matter for the 52-year-old.

Without naming any players, Frank said in August: “There's been a lot of rumours – and a lot of times where there's nothing in it. There must be someone out there who thinks it's good fun to put the rumours out there.

"There's been a lot of links and will continue to be. To be very general, I don't want any players who don't want to come to the club.

"If they don't want to come here and wear this fantastic badge, we don't want them here. That's very clear, and I imagine the fans feel exactly the same. That's a key message."

Eze, a childhood Arsenal fan, has since explained why he chose the Gunners. He said: “I thought about coming back from the moment I understood other clubs and what it meant to become a pro.

"I've always thought: 'Arsenal is where it's at, that's what I want to achieve, what I want to get to.' I've been on trial for four years, if I'm being honest.

"Every time I came to Arsenal, I looked at the seat that I used to sit on when I used to come to games with my brothers, and I've said every single time: 'this is it – it's time, this is an opportunity.' I'm not going to say I knew it was going to happen, but that's the feeling."

Frank will now be focused on beating Arsenal on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium. If he is to do so, he would become the first manager to beat Arsenal away from home in the league since Harry Redknapp in 2010.

football.london writers give their thoughts on who Arsenal should start against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League

Arsenal welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates Stadium, looking to get back to winning ways after their disappointment at Sunderland. The Premier League title might not be won in November, but the results now will have a massive impact.

The Gunners will be hoping for some help elsewhere as their title rivals are in action. But Mikel Arteta will be focusing solely on his side, his players and getting them in the mindset to win a massive clash.

There are plenty of areas the Gunners must be aware of. football.london's writers have given their thoughts on what they think the Spaniard should go for.

Tom Canton

What a game to welcome domestic football back to the Emirates Stadium; the derby could be the perfect springboard for this Arsenal side after their recent disappointment.

While there is rightfully concern surrounding the loss of Gabriel, there is definitely comfort in the options at Arteta's disposal. Piero Hincapie is a viable option, but I am leaning towards the greater experience and match volume of Cristhian Mosquera for this game.

Elsewhere, I don't think I can risk any of the players who are injury doubts, and therefore, Mikel Merino still starts up top. I think this could be a game where Eberechi Eze turns up in the big moment. Watch out for a strike from range to wow the occasion.

Canton's Arsenal XI vs Spurs: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Saliba, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Merino, Trossard.

Ryan Taylor

All eyes are on the backline as Arsenal gear up for life without Gabriel Magalhaes in the North London Derby. Thankfully, Mikel Arteta has a number of suitable replacements to hand, not least Cristian Mosquera.

The Spain Under-21s captain was brilliant in replacing William Saliba earlier in the season, but it shouldn't be underestimated how much Arteta loves Piero Hincapie.

As a natural left-footer, he could well take centre-stage alongside Saliba after recently impressing in the Champions League and EFL Cup.

Mikel Merino could be primed for another big shift in attack as Viktor Gyokeres is unlikely to be fit. Leandro Trossard should keep his spot on the left after his Sunderland thunderbolt, while Eberechi Eze needs a big performance in midfield, particularly with Martin Odegaard closing in on his return.

While Arsenal are still missing some key players, this team is easily good enough to see off Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January transdfer window

Antoine Semenyo has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur and already has a strong relationship with one of his potential new teammates. The Bournemouth star is reportedly attracting plenty of attention ahead of the January transfer window.

Semenyo initially emerged as a target for Spurs during the summer, with Manchester United and Liverpool also interested in the forward. It was reported that Bournemouth placed a £70million valuation on Semenyo during the most recent window.

The 25-year-old ultimately signed a new contract until 2030 and has registered nine goal contributions in 11 league games for the Cherries so far this term. Meanwhile, Spurs chose to bolster their attack with a £55m deal for Mohammed Kudus, who is a player Semenyo already knows well.

Semenyo received his first Ghana call-up in May 2022 and has shared the pitch with Kudus during 25 of his 32 appearances. The Bournemouth star demonstrated their bond during the September international break, with Semenyo teasing Kudus over Spurs’ 1-0 home defeat to Andoni Iraola’s side.

In a video posted on social media, Semenyo said: "Kuku, my boy, how was the game on Saturday? Let me go ask him how the game was."

After walking over to Kudus, Semenyo continued: "How was the game on Saturday, bro?" A surprised Kudus replied: "It was good." The end of the clip saw a laughing Semenyo jog away, repeating the 1-0 scoreline.

The Athletic has reported that Semenyo’s new contract includes a £65m release clause, leading to increased speculation over his future ahead of the January window. It is claimed that interested teams will need to activate that clause by a specific date to allow Bournemouth enough time to recruit a replacement.

The release clause will also remain in his contract for subsequent transfer windows. Bournemouth sold several of their key players in the summer, including defenders Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez.

While Semenyo could be another high-profile sale in the near future, the Ghana international has insisted that he will not let speculation impact his performances. In an interview with Sky Sports earlier this month, Semenyo reiterated his commitment to Bournemouth.

"I don't think about it too much. I try to stay present as much as I can,” he said. “You see the news all the time, I see it as well, I'm not oblivious, but I try to keep focused.

"I'm enjoying my football here. If I'm not scoring goals, all of that goes away. I try to stay present, do the best I can for the team, score goals and whatever happens in the future happens.

"When they [his former teammates] all left [in the summer], there was a lot of interest and back and forth with the club. But I knew in my head that the manager's got something up his sleeve this year.

"How we finished off the season last year was so good and we could continue, especially with the players we've bought in as well. I wasn't too sure at the start but we've kicked on like a house on fire. I'm glad I committed to staying here because I'm enjoying every moment."

We asked our reporters to name the Tottenham line-up they reckon Thomas Frank will go for to face Arsenal in the first North London Derby of the season

The first North London Derby of the Premier League season is almost upon us and Thomas Frank has the rarity of a rapidly emptying treatment room at Tottenham.

Spurs looked set to go into the game at the Emirates Stadium with 12 players unavailable only for Frank to reveal on Friday that eight of them were now in training. That list includes attackers Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Muani, complete with a face mask to protect his fractured jaw, midfielders Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray as well as defenders Ben Davies, Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin, who played 45 minutes in an under-21s friendly last week against Leyton Orient.

That means Frank has plenty of options to stock his team and bench now to face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Here are the views from two of our reporters on who Frank should select.

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham correspondent

On the whole Spurs benefited from an international break in which most of Frank's players either played just the one match for their country or in some cases neither. That means the Dane should have a reasonably fresh squad for the first of a series of big matches that come in quick succession.

The main choice at the back comes at left-back between Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie with both having done well against Bukayo Saka in recent seasons. In central midfield, Sarr, Bergvall and Gray may not be fit enough to start and the choice lies in whether Xavi Simons does alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha or plays on the left.

That leaves decisions to be made up front and on the wings. Will Kudus be fit enough to start, will Richarlison or the masked Kolo Muani get the nod up front or even the in-form Mathys Tel and will Brennan Johnson, Xavi or Wilson Odobert start on the left?

Johnson will be confident after his stunning goal for Wales in midweek while Kudus starred for Spurs before his injury and Frank could be keen to get both the Ghana international and Xavi, who scored for the Netherlands this week, in the same team in order to create chances and provide quality set pieces.

Gold's XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha, Xavi; Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson.

Ryan Taylor - Sports Reporter

Predicting the Tottenham XI Frank is going to field is never easy - let alone in a North London Derby.

There were plenty of positives in the way Spurs fought back against Manchester United and you have to wonder whether that late show will impact Frank's thinking.

A number of Tottenham players are also riding highs from the international break also, not least Xavi Simons and Brennan Johnson, who both netted for the respective nations earlier this week.

Three of the back-four picks itself but if fit, though I would give Destiny Udogie the nod over Djed Spence at left-back.

In midfield, the athleticism of Pape Matar Sarr could well compliment the industry and physicality of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur. Johnson's speed gives Spurs and outlet while Xavi could be shifted to the left. Kolo Muani has done well in recent weeks and should keep his spot despite Richarlison's goal against United.