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Peter Bankes said that Randal Kolo Muani fouled Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes before scoring what would have been an equalising goal for Tottenham Hotspur

Gary Neville and Clinton Morrison agreed that Randal Kolo Muani fouled Gabriel Magalhaes before Tottenham Hotspur had their equalising goal against Arsenal disallowed.

Gabriel acrobatically threw himself to the ground after feeling the slightest contact on his back from the Spurs forward. Kolo Muani then controlled the Conor Gallagher cross before firing past David Raya, but referee Peter Bankes blew his whistle to award Arsenal a free-kick.

Tottenham captain Micky van de Ven was straight over to the official arguing Spurs' case. His new head coach, Igor Tudor, also gestured with both hands on the sideline that Gabriel dived.

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However, Sky Sports' co-commentator Neville said: "That was a foul. He was too obvious, Kolo Muani.

"Kolo Muani gives Gabriel a nudge; it was clear from here. It's soft from Gabriel, we've seen it before, but it's two hands on the back."

Former Premier League striker Morrison shared the same sentiment on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying: "That is a push from Randal Kolo Muani. It is a foul, and it is the right decision."

Tudor also did not complain about the decision during his post-match press conference. He said: "Oh, you know about this, touching the players in the box.

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"It's always about referees here, you know. They have their eyes who, you know, they make decisions every time, you know, how they feel, how they see.

"So it's nothing. Sometimes they leave. Sometimes, no, this is how it is."

The head coach was also keen to single Kolo Muani out for praise after scoring his first Premier League goal. Tudor said: "He made a good game today.

"We wanted with Dom and Richie to give some new energy. He was not [taken] out [because of his performance].

"He played very good. It's a good start, and I'm happy for him."

You never know. You never know because this is a situation that I never saw. That we have 10 players plus three players [available]. So it's very, I don't know which word is best to use, but I like because I see the players want to do. The players want [to], okay they are in this position. Now we need to restart again and waiting for the players who are out. For sure, that's also a big reason. But it is how it is.

I saw the passion. I saw the will. So I was not angry because they wanted to do but then they were not able to do in this moment the things. They wanted to do all what we prepared so I said ‘that is good’ but we need to understand which moment we are now because we are not able to do. Why we are not able to do is the question we resolve and I speak from day one at the club I come here to resolve the problems. You believe that in three/four trainings you will do your best but when the game starts you don’t know what will happen because it is like this.

But as I said before, Tuesday I come in. Everyone there. Stay humble that is the key. Stay humble that is the key of each of us and trying to become, what I said before, a team. A Squad. A hard-working team. That is the only goal we have now in this moment.

We need more time to be in a physical moment and physical situation that we can go strong and take the ball. Now we are not in that moment.

Even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very evident in the team. So we wanted and prepared to do the things but there is an opponent, there is a reality today. So I’m very sad and very angry and everything but in one way it is also good to understand where is our goal. What is the goal of this club. What is the goal of this team. What is this goal of this coach, these players, this staff. To become serious. Serious, not just a group of 20 players, and the medicine is you look in the mirror. Each of us look in the mirror and really try, really start to change the habits. Working hard is the only way.

Of course, there is enough time. As I said, this was not a perfect team to play the first game after three or four sessions, but in one way we need to see something good. If I can tell this, you know. Something good to see where we need to be. You know, where is the goal? What is the level? What is, you know. So today, totally different worlds. I need to be honest. Two totally different worlds. Psychological and physical worlds, levels.

Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur boss said after the derby defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday

Igor Tudor has to discuss a rare debut defeat at his press conference after Tottenham's 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Croatian had won his opening match at his five previous clubs but that was not to be the case at Spurs with a north London derby humbling in the second half after the teams went in level at the break.

The opening goal had come in the 32nd minute when Bukayo Saka got into the box and hit a low pass that found Eberechi Eze in plenty of space to take a touch and drill home. However, Spurs got themselves level just 123 seconds later when Randal Kolo Muani dispossessed Declan Rice and raced from out wide and stepped past one challenge before smashing the ball low into the net for the first goal of Tudor's tenure.

It all fell apart though in the second half when Arsenal scored their second just two minutes in when Viktor Gyokeres found himself with all the time in the world to hit a curling effort from outside the area and into the net.

Kolo Muani had the ball in the net soon after only for it to be ruled out for a push on Gabriel. The visitors then scored again after the hour mark when Spurs seemed to have dealt with Saka in the box only for the loose ball to strike Joao Palhinha's heel and fall perfectly for Eze to fire home.

The visitors made it four in added time at the end of the game as Gyokeres ran into the box with little resistance and curled an effort past Guglielmo Vicario.

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Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Tudor after the derby defeat. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

You won your first game in charge at five previous clubs. Does this result show you the scale of the challenge you face or the quality of Arsenal?

Both things. Both things. Big gap in this specific moment between the two teams. It was too much Arsenal for us in this moment with the problems we have. Also it’s nice to understand where we are because you prepare in the best possible way then there is the game to show you reality. So it’s nice from one point of view so each of us understand and come, as I said the players, stay quiet they come on Tuesday and restart after these three or four training sessions to start to work harder than we did until now. To change our habits, to change the state of mind which is now as a team. It is the only way to work.

What did you make of the defensive performance?

Too much problems in this moment to let this level of team will not punish you. Because you wanted to go to press high but to press high from back you need to jump so if you are late and don’t take the ball around there, also with the ball. So we prepare to press high but we didn’t take the ball. So we need more time to be in a physical moment and physical situation that we can go strong and take the ball. Now we are not in that moment.

Even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very evident in the team. So we wanted and prepared to do the things but there is an opponent, there is a reality today. So I’m very sad and very angry and everything but in one way it is also good to understand where is our goal. What is the goal of this club. What is the goal of this team. What is this goal of this coach, these players, this staff. To become serious. Serious, not just a group of 20 players, and the medicine is you look in the mirror. Each of us look in the mirror and really try, really start to change the habits. Working hard is the only way.

What did you tell the players after the game? I saw the passion. I saw the will. So I was not angry because they wanted to do but then they were not able to do in this moment the things. They wanted to do all what we prepared so I said ‘that is good’ but we need to understand which moment we are now because we are not able to do. Why we are not able to do is the question we resolve and I speak from day one at the club I come here to resolve the problems. You believe that in three/four trainings you will do your best but when the game starts you don’t know what will happen because it is like this.

But as I said before, Tuesday I come in. Everyone there. Stay humble that is the key. Stay humble that is the key of each of us and trying to become, what I said before, a team. A Squad. A hard-working team. That is the only goal we have now in this moment.

Is the job bigger than you thought it was?

You never know. You never know because this is a situation that I never saw. That we have 10 players plus three players [available]. So it's very, I don't know which word is best to use, but I like because I see the players want to do. The players want [to], okay they are in this position. Now we need to restart again and waiting for the players who are out. For sure, that's also a big reason. But it is how it is.

Did the players need a game like this to show the reality?

No, we didn't need this game for sure, but this happened in this moment. You know, this team Arsenal is probably the best team now in the world in this moment. So it was not easy.

You know, I can also give to us excuse because if we wanted, if we were thinking today that is derby and derby can give something more. I also play a lot of derby. I was coach also for derby. For sure, the derby give you something more, but of mentality, of motivation. But there are also other things that you cannot change in three or four training sessions. It's impossible.

So it's a team who is built by years, choosing the right players and working hard on the mentality on brain sharpness, on second balls, of physicality, of quality, of everything. You know, mentality. So it is how it is.

There are 11 games left this season. Is there enough time to make the changes you want to make?

Of course, there is enough time. As I said, this was not a perfect team to play the first game after three or four sessions, but in one way we need to see something good. If I can tell this, you know. Something good to see where we need to be. You know, where is the goal? What is the level? What is, you know. So today, totally different worlds. I need to be honest. Two totally different worlds. Psychological and physical worlds, levels.

Randal Kolo Muani thought he had scored a second goal, what did you make of the decision to rule it out?

Oh, you know about this, touching the players in the box. It's always about referees here, you know. They have their eyes who, you know, they make decisions every time, you know. How they feel. How they see. So it's nothing. Sometimes they leave. Sometimes, no. This is how it is.

You had a lot of young players on the bench today because there are so many injuries. are you surprised that the club didn't sign more players in January?

No, it's not the moment. It's not the moment to make the thing around [that].

Any injured players you're hoping to have back for the Fulham game, Porro and Danso perhaps?

Yeah, probably two of them. We hope.

How important is that for your whole defence because you're playing two midfielders back there?

We're going to see now what is best for the team.

Randal Kolo Muani got his first Premier League goal, what's he got to do to have more moments like that?

He made a good game today. We wanted with Dom and Richie to give some new energy. He was not [taken] out [because of his performance], because he played very good. It's a good start and I'm happy for him.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings after their defeat to Arsenal in Sunday's north London derby in the Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur fell to a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in Igor Tudor's first game at the helm and here are our Spurs player ratings from the match.

Former Juventus boss Tudor was brought in to push 16th-placed Spurs up the Premier League table after Thomas Frank was sacked last week with results and the fans against him. The Croatian's first test was a derby against Mikel Arteta's title challengers who needed to win after Manchester City's victory against Newcastle on Saturday night.

Tottenham went into the game missing 11 players and had Dominic Solanke on the bench after the striker required antibiotics in the week for a throat problem. That meant Randal Kolo Muani was up front and the Frenchman knows Tudor well after impressing for him in the back end of last season at Juventus. Richarlison was also back on the bench following his hamstring injury.

The opening goal came in the 32nd minute when Bukayo Saka got into the box and hit a low pass that found Eberechi Eze in acres of space in the box to take a touch and drill home.

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However, Spurs were level just 123 seconds later when Randal Kolo Muani dispossessed Declan Rice and raced from out wide into the box from the left and stepped past one challenge before smashing the ball low into the net for the first goal of Tudor's tenure.

Arsenal scored their second just two minutes into the second half when Viktor Gyokeres found himself with all the time in the world to hit a curling effort from outside the area and into the net.

Kolo Muani had the ball in the net soon after only for it to be ruled out for a push on Gabriel. The visitors then scored again after the hour mark when Spurs looked to have dealt with Saka in the box only for the ball to hit Joao Palhinha's heel and fall for Eze to fire home.

The visitors made it four in added time as Gyokeres ran into the box without much stopping him and curled an effort past Vicario.

Here are our Spurs player ratings:

Guglielmo Vicario

Came out to make an early diving header and made a big one-vs-one save from Saka in the first half. Saved from Saka again in the second half and looked to have to played his part in stopping him a third time only for the ball to break to Eze to score. Couldn't really do much about the goals. 6

Joao Palhinha

Found it tough at times on the right of the back three but was unfortunate for the third Arsenal goal. 4

Radu Dragusin

Aside from being dispossessed during one run out of defence, the Romanian was Spurs' best defender in the first half. It was his poor header though that helped Arsenal break for Eze's second goal on the hour mark and he had a tough time from that point on. 5

Micky van de Ven

Off the pace in the first half with Saka getting in behind him a few times and the captain for the day never really got into the flow of the game. 4

Archie Gray

Took an elbow to the face in the first half, leaving him with a bloody nose. The teenager struggled on the day and was often left on his own up against two Arsenal attackers. 4

Yves Bissouma

Another new manager to win over and he showed plenty of enthusiasm for the cause even those it was a losing one. One of the few players to come out of the game with a little bit of credit. 6

Pape Matar Sarr

Offered very little in the midfield other than the odd neat touch. 4

Djed Spence

Didn't have much joy with Saka with Tudor bellowing at him on a couple of occasions to get tighter to the Arsenal attacker. Switched to the right late on and set up Richarlison for a chance. 5

Conor Gallagher

Battled away and had a deflected cross fired home by Kolo Muani only for it to be ruled out for a push. Came off after an hour and didn't offer too much. 4

Xavi Simons

Got lucky with a poor pass straight to Trossard outside the Spurs box as the Belgian fired well over. Struggled to find the rhythm of the game in the first half but had an early effort saved by Raya in the second period. 4

Randal Kolo Muani

Given the nod up front and he took advantage by robbing Rice of possession and running into the box from the left to score his first Premier League goal. Had the ball in the net after firing home Gallagher's deflected cross early in the second half but was adjudged to have pushed Gabriel. Worked hard before coming off for Richarlison. 7

Subs

Dominic Solanke

Other than a couple of nice touches he didn't offer Spurs much. 5

Richarlison

Had a flick clawed off the line by Raya and tried to make a nuisance of himself. 6

Mathys Tel

Brought on as a left wing-back late on and it didn't get him into the positions he needed to be. Souza would surely have been a better bet if that was the role to filled? N/A

Ben White is absent from the Arsenal squad to face Tottenham in the North London Derby due to injury, football.london understands.

Mikel Arteta later confirmed his absence was due to a niggle picked up in training. Though he has not played that much this season, largely due to injury problems and of course Jurrien Timber, White is an important member of the squad that Arteta now has to cope without.

Other notable decisions from the Arsenal boss were revealed at 3:15pm with Eberechi Eze, who grabbed a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, starting in midfield.

Arteta had hinted that Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz would be back for the derby, but only the former has made the trip after overcoming a knee issue. The Spaniard also revealed attempts were made to get Havertz back, but that the clash came a little too early.

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Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli are others that have been named on the bench after starts in the week with Leandro Trossard coming into the team and Bukayo Saka heading back out to the right in order to accommodate Eze.

Both Trossard and Saka were forced off during the midweek draw against Wolves but have overcome their respective issues to start.

The big news for Tottenham is that Dominic Solanke is on the bench after dealing with a throat issue in the week, as revealed by interim head coach Igor Tudor.

He has been joined by the returning Richarlison with the Brazil international having missed the last few weeks due to injury.

The heated fixture is a big one for both clubs with Arsenal aiming to re-establish their five-point lead at the top following Manchester City's win over Newcastle on Saturday evening.

A fourth consecutive victory at the home of their rivals will do exactly that and send a clear message after recent struggles. Speaking about the derby on Friday, Arteta said: "It's the one we have after and it's the one that we cannot wait to play.

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"If we could play today, I think we'd all love to play today and to get that feeling that we have in our tummies and use it in the right way. And we have to show on Sunday."

As for Spurs, they find themselves in a relegation battle having won just two of their last 17 Premier League games. They sit four points above the drop zone after West Ham United's draw against Bournemouth.

Here's the Tottenham team that Igor Tudor has gone for in his first match in charge of the north London side for the derby against Arsenal

Igor Tudor has named his first Tottenham Hotspur team as he faces his debut in the Premier League season's second north London derby on Sunday.

Spurs have a new man at the helm with former Juventus boss Tudor parachuted in to improve the 16th-placed side after Thomas Frank was sacked last week. The Croatian's first challenge is a derby against Mikel Arteta's title hopefuls who need to win after Manchester City's victory against Newcastle on Saturday night.

Tottenham, who will be missing 11 players for the game, are looking for their first Premier League win of 2026 and have Dominic Solanke on the bench after the striker required antibiotics in the week for a throat problem. That means Randal Kolo Muani plays up front and the Frenchman knows Tudor well after impressing for him in the back end of last season at Juventus. Richarlison is also back on the bench after returning to training following his hamstring injury.

Tudor appears to have gone with his favoured back three with Joao Palhinha alongside Radu Dragusin, who played for Juventus when the Croatian was Andrea Pirlo's assistant, and Micky van de Ven. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr start in midfield with Xavi Simons and Conor Gallagher as the number 10s in what could be a 3-4-2-1.

James Wilson, 18, is on the bench for the first time after his mid-season move from Hearts, after scoring for the U21s last week.

Here's the Tottenham starting line-up:

Kick-off

Here we go here in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the North London Derby. Who will take the points?

Will it be Arsenal in their hunt for the title, or will their bitter rivals deal an almighty blow to those hopes?

Mikel Arteta reveals impact Martin Odegaard's injury woes have had on Arsenal team-mates

Martin Odegaard's injury setbacks have been "tough" for him, but Mikel Arteta is confident the Arsenal captain can return to his best to get their Premier League title bid back on track.

Injuries have again haunted Arsenal’s season with more than 30 separate incidents of players missing matches already, closing in on a tally of 39 from the previous campaign, with more than three months left to play.

Odegaard suffered what was his fourth issue of the campaign in the 1-1 draw with Brentford, overextending his knee in a collision with goalscorer Keane Lewis-Potter.

Article continues here.

David Raya prediction made

David Raya has been backed to put right his error that cost Arsenal two points against Wolves in midweek ahead of Sunday's North London Derby.

Arsenal go into the clash on the back of two consecutive draws in the league. On Wednesday they could only draw 2-2 with bottom side Wolves, with Raya's mistake at the end gifting Tom Edozie the chance to score his first senior goal.

Former goalkeeper Graham Stack has backed Raya to put the mistake behind him and return to his best. Stack, speaking exclusively to Reach via the best betting apps, said: "I would say that the most experienced and best goalies in the world, the most successful ones, are the ones that are able to deal with failure really quickly, to move on and not dwell on it.

"The best make the fewest mistakes, don't they? But those fewest mistakes, they're probably highlighted the most because of the platform and the team and scrutiny on teams and players at the top of the league. Raya might make one error and even when he make ten absolute worldies in the same game, it'll be that one error that would be spoken about.

"With Raya, I think the team he has around him, in terms of his goalkeeping coach, who he's worked with previously at Brentford, his manager and the players, I guarantee you now they will be giving him nothing but self-belief and confidence throughout the week, which he may or may not need in truth. The strongest individuals are able to park it up, deal with it and move on within minutes, and it's all about the next action in the game. Raya falls into that category for sure of one with an abundance of resilience and mental strength."

Mikel Arteta gives emphatic response to Arsenal 'bottling' the Premier League title race

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal’s collapse at Wolves was a “shock in the system”, but he insists his players are not 'bottling' the Premier League title race.

The surprising result on Wednesday meant the gap to Manchester City extended to just five points, having played a game more than their title rivals.

It was the first time a team at the top of the Premier League had dropped a two-goal lead to a side in the relegation zone, and the emotions from the players, but also the fans, at full-time were telling.

Article continues here.

Former goalkeeper Graham Stack has had his say on Arsenal and Tottenham ahead of the North London Derby

David Raya has been backed to put right his error that cost Arsenal two points against Wolves in midweek ahead of Sunday's North London Derby.

The Gunners make the short trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday to take on Igor Tudor's men, who are without a win in the Premier League in eight games. Arsenal are now just two points ahead of Manchester City after Pep Guardiola's side beat Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday night, and Arteta will want to extend that gap to five points with a win at Spurs.

Arsenal go into the clash on the back of two consecutive draws in the league, however. On Wednesday they could only draw 2-2 with bottom side Wolves, with Raya's mistake at the end gifting Tom Edozie the chance to score his first senior goal.

Former goalkeeper Graham Stack has backed Raya to put the mistake behind him and return to his best. Stack, speaking exclusively to Reach via the best betting apps, said: "I would say that the most experienced and best goalies in the world, the most successful ones, are the ones that are able to deal with failure really quickly, to move on and not dwell on it.

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"The best make the fewest mistakes, don't they? But those fewest mistakes, they're probably highlighted the most because of the platform and the team and scrutiny on teams and players at the top of the league. Raya might make one error and even when he make ten absolute worldies in the same game, it'll be that one error that would be spoken about.

"With Raya, I think the team he has around him, in terms of his goalkeeping coach, who he's worked with previously at Brentford, his manager and the players, I guarantee you now they will be giving him nothing but self-belief and confidence throughout the week, which he may or may not need in truth. The strongest individuals are able to park it up, deal with it and move on within minutes, and it's all about the next action in the game. Raya falls into that category for sure of one with an abundance of resilience and mental strength."

Tottenham are currently 16th in the league and just four points above the relegation places. With Tudor taking charge of the Lilywhites for the first time on Sunday, the Croatian could really do with a win but the odds are firmly stacked against the home side.

"I really do think Arsenal will win the game, and that's not my heart speaking," Stack predicted. "I know there'll be arguments saying how can you say they're going to go and turn them over when they've obviously struggled at home against Wolves."

He added: "But I'm not being funny, Tottenham with a new manager will be buoyed, but I think Arsenal will win the game, and that's my brain, that's my football head talking. I really do, because I think Tottenham, I jut think the club is in a bad place and moment in time.

"They're not a good footballing side versus their teams that we’ve seen in past years, I think the stadium is toxic because I think their supporters have had enough, I think they're clutching at straws in terms of they've got a manager until the end of the season, I just think they've completely lost their stability at the club at the minute, I really do, I don't think they've got much stability at all."

Igor Tudor is missing multiple first-team players for his first game as Tottenham boss against Arsenal, but is set to welcome two back on Sunday afternoon

Tottenham interim head coach Igor Tudor will begin his reign in England with a mouth-watering North London Derby against Arsenal. Spurs welcome Mikel Arteta to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, looking to deal a blow in their arch rivals' title hopes.

The Gunners have slipped up in their previous two games against Brentford and Wolves. Manchester City's 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday means the gap at the top of the table is now just two points.

Like Thomas Frank, Tudor will be forced to work with a limited squad due to injuries to a number of players. Just 13 fit senior players are available, with the hope that Dominic Solanke can make that 14.

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Here, football.london brings you the lowdown of the injuries at Spurs....

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Dominic Solanke

Solanke has played just 11 games for Tottenham this season after an ankle injury kept him out for several months. He returned to action last month, but has suffered from a throat problem this week.

The issue has required antibiotics and Tudor confirmed he will have to decide if the striker is well enough to feature.

What Tudor said: "Solanke, Dominic, had some problems with his throat, but he made today some training. So, all others, probably someone next week."

Possible return date: Arsenal (H) - Sunday February 22

Pedro Porro

There had been hope that Porro would push for a return this week after suffering with a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw against Burnley last month. However, the defender is still out.

What Tudor said: "[Porro] no."

Possible return date: Fulham (A) - Sunday March 1

Richarlison

The Brazilian picked up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa on January 10 and was initially ruled out for up to seven weeks. Frank had previously suggested that he could return in time for today's north London derby and Tudor confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he will be available.

What Tudor said: "Richy is back."

Possible return date: Arsenal (H) - Sunday February 22

Lucas Bergvall

After being a key part of the Spurs team, Bergvall has been out with an ankle injury since the 2-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund over a month ago.

He has undergone surgery and no timescale has been put on his recovery. However, reports in Sweden have suggested he is no longer wearing a protective boot and his rehabilitation is "going in the right direction."

Possible return date: Late March/early April

Kevin Danso

Danso has missed the last three games after snapping a ligament in his toe in the Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. It's expected that the defender will miss weeks before returning.

Potential return date: Late February/early March

Destiny Udogie

Udogie is expected to miss up to five weeks after his hamstring injury, which he picked up in the 2-0 loss to Manchester United, forced him to endure another period out.

Potential return date: Mid-March

Mohammed Kudus

Kudus has missed nearly two months of action after suffering a hamstring injury against Sunderland on January 4. He was initially ruled out until after the March international break, but recent reports have claimed he was in Amsterdam to see a specialist to speed up his return.

Potential return date: April

Wilson Odobert

Odobert is the latest player to join the long list of absentees for Tottenham following his knee injury picked up against Newcastle. The winger has since had surgery and no timescale has been provided.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski hasn't played for Tottenham since the end of last season due to a patellar injury. Before being sacked, Frank admitted he was unsure if the forward would play again this season.

What has been said: “It's a complicated injury where it’s important to make sure there’s no pain in the knee,” said Frank. “That’s why he got an injection and it hopefully will help. So in three to four weeks’ time, he’ll be on the grass pain-free."

Potential return date: Unknown

Rodrigo Bentancur

Bentancur is expected to miss the majority of the season after undergoing surgery on his hamstring last month. The midfielder was ruled out for three months at the time.

Potential return date: Spring 2026

Ben Davies

In the 2-1 loss to West Ham United, Davies suffered a broken ankle and has had two operations. He is a doubt for the World Cup, should Wales qualify, with his contract in north London due to expire at the end of the season.

Potential return date: Unknown

James Maddison

Maddison suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season and has yet to play for Spurs this campaign. He has undergone surgery but is expected to be out until the summer.

Latest injury news on Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard as Arsenal take on Tottenham in the Premier League looking to get their title challenge back on track

It's North London Derby day and Mikel Arteta will hope to guide the Gunners back to winning ways with as many healthy players as possible. After giving up leads to record draws in two consecutive matches, the Spaniard might even be more desperate than usual to get one over Tottenham.

Manchester City sit just two points behind following their win over Newcastle on Saturday, and anything but a win will allow Pep Guardiola's side a significant opportunity to leapfrog Arsenal with their game in hand. Tense times.

Arteta has uncertainty over a number of his stars heading into the clash against the Lilywhites. football.london takes a look at the Spaniard's injury situation going into this afternoon.

Mikel Merino

Spain midfielder Mikel Merino is a long-term absentee and is likely ruled out for the season. The ex-Borussia Dortmund ace is recovering from an ankle injury and has undergone surgery.

"Well, I think the doctors were really happy the way it went," Arteta said earlier this month. "Yeah, now it starts.

"Obviously, it's a long process. You're talking about bone healing, so you need to be patient. You respect the timings, and I'm sure Mikel is going to do everything that he possibly can to speed up the process. We're talking about months, whether it's three, four or five, we don't know."

Return date: 01/06/2026

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Martin Odegaard

Arsenal's captain has been out with a knee injury but could return in time for this afternoon. The ex-Real Madrid ace has a 'big possibility' of being available to face Spurs, according to Arteta.

Return date: 22/02/26

Kai H avertz

Like Odegaard, Havertz is in contention to make his return this afternoon. The German star has only recently returned from a serious knee injury and missed much of the month due to a hamstring injury.

Return date: 22/02/26

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Max Dowman

The youngster is getting closer to a return from the ankle injury that has kept him out for two months.

"He's doing very well," said Arteta. "I think he will be with us in a week or so, and then he just needs to pick up the rhythm and be available for us. He's doing very well. I think he will be with us in a week or so, and then he just needs to pick up the rhythm and be available for us."

Return date: 01/03/2026

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal's talismanic figure came off the field during Arsenal's draw with Wolves but appears to be fine to return. Saka limped off with what appeared to be an issue with his knee but conducted post-match media duties and has been pictured in training.