Football London

Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic has sparkled on loan at Hamburger SV this season, fuelling speculation he could yet remain with the Bundesliga side beyond the summer

Hamburger SV sporting director Claus Costa has confirmed Luka Vuskovic will definitely return to Tottenham at the end of the season.

The young Croatian centre-back has been a shining light in the Bundesliga this term, scoring an impressive four goals in 19 top-flight matches.

Hamburg would like to keep Vuskovic but according to Costa, the German club's hands are tied because there is no buy-option included within the loan agreement.

Costa said when quizzed on the Croatia international's future: “Contractually, there’s no chance he’ll stay. It’s purely a loan, and we have no way to tie Luka to HSV long-term."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Hamburg boss Merlin Polzin has already confirmed he wants to retain the services of Vuskovic next season, stating: “I’m a man of conviction. Of course, I also believe in things that seem impossible, even if they’re just a bit romantic about football. Nevertheless, there’s a clear contractual agreement between the clubs.

“We’re very grateful that we found a solution last summer. It was very clear from the start with Luka’s camp that he only wanted to join HSV. The communication with Tottenham is extremely professional, both last summer and now. We’d be very interested in him continuing to wear the HSV jersey.”

The sticking point for HSV is that Vuskovic has been so good, it's highly likely Tottenham would like to keep him next season.

But even if they don't, a raft of clubs from across Europe are expected to enter the fray and there could well be permanent transfer interest in addition to fresh loan offers.

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are among a series of sides to have been linked with a swoop.

Hamburg are also itching to keep the 19-year-old so he can play alongside his brother Mario, who will be free to return from a doping ban in November.

Costa is under no illusions that it would be the stuff of dreams to pair the two brothers together, adding: “Of course, there’s this romantic notion that Luka will one day play alongside his brother Mario.

“Of course, we’re in contact with him [Mario]. He’s not allowed to train or play football for any club. But he’s in top physical condition, working hard with an absolute dedication and passion that is second to none.”

Vuskovic, who is set to feature for Croatia at the World Cup this summer, has already outlined his desire to play alongside Mario.

A number of staff left the north London club when Thomas Frank was sacked last week and are looking for new challenges

When Thomas Frank was sacked by Tottenham last week it was not just the Dane who was left looking for a new job.

The 52-year-old parted ways with the north London outfit after losing the support of the fans with Spurs in 16th place in the Premier League table, albeit with their place in the last 16 of the Champions League assured. While some of Frank's newer members of staff and those who has already been at the club remained to help new boss Igor Tudor, some of his long-known faces and one new one left with him.

The club announced that first team assistant coaches Justin Cochrane and John Heitinga as well as head of performance and first team assistant coach Chris Haslam had left the club. However, they did not announce another well-regarded member of Frank's staff had also left and that was first team coach analyst Joe Newton, who had followed the Dane from Brentford in the summer.

The 30-year-old also found himself out of a job and on Monday posted a message of thanks on LinkedIn to those he had worked with and how much he would take from the experience at Spurs.

"A week or so ago, my time at Tottenham Hotspur came to an end. Although it’s ended a lot sooner than I and others had hoped for, I am still thankful for the opportunity," said Newton. "Even in a short seven/eight months I have gained many valuable experiences.

"I really enjoyed my Coach Analyst role, working in the Champions League, building on existing relationships with Thomas and others, as well as creating relationships with new coaches, analysts and other staff. As the cliché goes, when one door closes another one opens. I’m looking forward to what is next in my career."

His post received plenty of comments of support from those staff he worked with at Hotspur Way.

First team academy transition coach Stuart Lewis said: "Great getting to know you and working with you mate! Top person! Wishing you all the best for the future."

Goalkeeper coaches Fabian Otte and Dean Brill said, respectively, "You’re the best Joe!!" and "Absolute pleasure mate", while various other members of support staff at the club also passed on their good wishes to the analyst ahead of the next chapter of his career.

It's time to check in with Spurs' huge army of loan players as they faced another busy week of match action across the globe

Tottenham have a whopping 18 players out on loan and plenty of them have been earning praise in a busy week of goals and action.

Spurs have players out on learning their trade across the Football League as well as spread out across Scotland, Germany, Italy and South America with the club's Head of Loans and Pathways Andy Scoulding keeping a close eye on all them and their various situations.

With a new manager set to be in charge in the summer some of them will be looking impress and gain themselves an opportunity under the next man in the Tottenham dugout in order to carve out a career for themselves at the north London club. Others are just looking to develop or put themselves in the shop window for the summer transfer market.

Spurs had 19 players out on loan but left-back Callum Logan appears to have returned from his spell at National League side Braintree Town to play for Spurs' U21s.

Here's how every single one of Tottenham's other 18 loan players got on across the world this week.

Mikey Moore (Rangers)

Mikey Moore saved the day for Rangers with an 88th minute equaliser as they fought back from 2-0 down to grab a point away against 10-man Livingston.

Moore, playing in a central number 10 role, almost set up an early goal for Rangers with a deep curling cross to Andreas Skov Olsen, only for the keeper to save his header. The 18-year-old then curled in an effort himself after Rangers had gone a goal down to the bottom side that was pushed aside by the stopper.

Moore set up an opportunity early in the second half for Bojan Miovski and had his own low effort stopped by the goalkeeper himself only for the hosts to score again to stun the Glasgow giants.

After the red card for Cristian Montano, Emmanuel Fernandez managed to hit an 81st minute rocket of a goal back.

The stage was set for the Spurs teenager to score a rare headed goal with a lovely flicked effort from James Tavernier's cross.

There was still time for Moore to dribble into the Livingston box and appear to be brought down as he went to shoot, yet a long VAR check resulted in nothing for the visitors.

Moore has now racked up 36 appearances this season, scoring five goals and laying on three assists. The teenager got plenty of praise from the Scottish media and from the Rangers fans for his performance in the game.

Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)

Tottenham fans can look forward to seeing Luka Vuskovic getting experience at the World Cup this summer with Croatia.

Croatia assistant boss Ivica Olic has said in an interview with media outlet Jutarnji that the talented teenage defender will be heading to the USA at the end of the season.

"I will still talk to Zlatko Dalic, but I can say that Vuskovic will one hundred percent go with the senior team to America, considering the problems that exist in the senior team, and Luka is playing so well in HSV that he is one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. For him, the youth team is a finished story," said the former Bayern striker.

Vuskovic continues to go from strength to strength at Hamburg and plenty of the world's top sides have been circling him with interest. However Spurs have him locked into a long-term contract and will want to get him involved in first team affairs next season, although the youngster would no doubt love to play alongside his brother Mario at Hamburg when he returns from suspension.

Vuskovic missed out on HSV's 1-1 draw at Mainz on Friday as he was suspended, after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 3-2 home win the previous weekend against Union Berlin.

The Croatian has made 21 appearances and played 1,920 minutes so far for the Bundesliga outfit.

Kota Takai (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Kota Takai is beginning to get starts with back-to-back 90 minute appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach including Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Freiburg.

The 21-year-old Japan international is still adapting to the European game and is expected to gradually settle into life away from the J-League and the faster and more physical nature of German football.

The centre-back has made six appearances now in the Bundesliga and will be looking to get his fitness and sharpness back after months spent out through injury after he arrived at Tottenham.

Dane Scarlett (Hibernian)

Dane Scarlett continues to get minutes for Hibernian and came off the bench in the final half hour of their big 2-1 victory at Celtic on Sunday.

The 21-year-old played his part in the win and the Edinburgh Evening News gave the Spurs striker a 5.5 in their player ratings with a review that sounded better than that score: "On for Elding with 59 minutes on the clock. Spurs loanee led line well."

Scarlett has made five appearances now up north of the border with one assist and 236 minutes to his name.

Manor Solomon (Fiorentina)

Manor Solomon will be looking to continue his run of starts in Serie A as Fiorentina welcome Pisa on Monday night. The Israel international has scored two goals in his past three matches and has become a regular fixture on either wing.

The 26-year-old winger has eight Serie A appearances to his name already, two more than the total of La Liga games he got for Villarreal in the first half of the season and also made one appearance in the Italian cup with 545 minutes to his name in Italy.

Alejo Veliz (Rosario Central)

Alejo Veliz is six games into the new league season with Rosario Central and will be looking to get back among the goals after only scoring in the second match of the season a month ago.

The 22-year-old is expected to head to Bahia at the end of the season after Tottenham agreed a deal with the Brazilian side to sell Veliz once his current loan at Rosario ends. A £7.8m (9m euros) deal was agreed with £871k in add-ons (1m euros) plus a 20% sell-on clause.

Alfie Devine (Preston North End)

Alfie Devine continues to be a central figure for Preston but he could not stop them from going down 1-0 at struggling Blackburn in the Championship on Friday night.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been earning plaudits aplenty during his season at the Championship side but he and Preston found it tough to break through at Ewood Park.

Devine received a six for his efforts in the Lancashire Post's player ratings with the review: "Some bright moments in the first half but drifted out of the game."

Devine has made 32 league appearances, including six goals and two assists from midfield with another two appearances in the Carabao Cup, plus an assist, and a substitute appearance in the FA Cup to make it 2,371 minutes in total so far this season.

Will Lankshear & Jamie Donley (Oxford United)

Jamie Donley is back in action after six weeks out following a horrendous aerial collision on his debut for Oxford in the FA Cup at the start of last month which left him knocked out for a short period and with injuries to his neck, shoulder and ribs.

After starting in the FA Cup defeat at Sunderland last week, the 21-year-old got more minutes in his tank with Saturday's 0-0 draw at high-flying Middlesbrough bringing a much-needed point for second-from-bottom Oxford. Will Lankshear got back-to-back starts after the cup match with 87 minutes against Middlesbrough.

After making his return against Sunderland, Donley told the Oxford Mail: "It’s definitely a lot better than my first appearance in an Oxford shirt so I was looking forward to it and just wanted to enjoy it really because I haven’t had a lot of football recently.

"I enjoyed it and obviously it would’ve been a lot nicer to win but it’s good to get out on the pitch. I think when you come to a new club, the easiest way to get used to the players is playing games and getting game time and obviously that didn’t happen how I wanted it to. But I think I’ve joined in with the lads really well and hopefully I can start putting in good performances for everyone."

Yang Min-hyeok (Coventry)

Yang Min-hyeok has missed out on the squad for Coventry's victories against Middlesbrough and West Brom in the Championship in the past week.

The 19-year-old winger had made 16 appearances for Portsmouth, scoring three goals and laying on one assist, before switching to Frank Lampard's Premier League-chasing side.

However, the South Korean has only made one start for Coventry so far with his first experience of FA Cup football last month and the third round defeat at Stoke City as well as three Championship appearances totalling 29 minutes of football.

Ashley Phillips (Stoke City)

Ashley Phillips continues to scrap with Stoke for every point they can get as they drew 2-2 with struggling Leicester City in the Championship on Saturday.

The 20-year-old centre-back continues to barely miss a minute of action and Stoke-on-Trent Live gave him a six in their player ratings with the write-up: "Throws himself into defending duties but needed more help from players in front of him to press properly as game went on."

Phillips has made 32 appearances this season for Stoke with a huge 2,624 minutes to his name.

Oliver Irow & George Abbott (Mansfield)

Oliver Irow had to sit on the bench and watch Mansfield's 2-0 defeat at home to Lincoln City in League One on Saturday afternoon. George Abbott got 11 minutes to his name in that game as he continues his gradual return from a season fragmented by injury, having scored on his debut earlier this month against Peterborough.

Irow had enjoyed a spectacular two-goal debut himself for Mansfield against Port Vale last month.

Now the Spurs duo will be looking to play a part as Mansfield host AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.

Yusuf Akhamrich (Bristol Rovers)

Yusuf Akhamrich continues to go from strength to strength for Bristol Rovers and bagged a goal and assist in their 3-1 victory in League Two against Grimsby Town

The 20-year-old winger has been on the bench twice in the Champions League this season for Spurs and once in the Premier League without being handed his debut before announcing himself in senior football with a sensational brace of goals in last month's win for Rovers against Newport County.

He scored again in the following match against Walsall before going three matches with a goal until Saturday's win and his two goal involvements, his goal a controlled low finish into the net.

The Bristol Post's Will Murray handed Akhamrich an eight in his player ratings with the review: "Akhamrich is pretty good, isn't he? What an impact the Spurs loanee has had, with four goals at The Mem already. He missed out on the starting line-up at Oldham Athletic, but returned today and was a constant threat. His assist to Quigley was pinpoint, and his second-half strike was well deserved. A lot of the creative emphasis was on Akhamrich today, especially in the first-half, and he stepped up brilliantly."

Alfie Dorrington (Salford City)

Alfie Dorrington is getting into the swing of things himself in League Two and grabbed his first Football League assist in Salford City's 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The 20-year-old centre-back is back in the English game after returning from Aberdeen and has started three of Salford's last four matches, including the 2-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat at Manchester City.

Salford were 2-1 up with 14 minutes to go despite Luke Garbutt's 48th minute red card but conceded twice to Cheltenham in the final minutes including a heart-breaking 96th minute winner for George Miller. Dorrington had flicked on a long throw for Zach Awe to make it 2-1 but the 10-man visitors could not hold on.

Tyrese Hall (Notts County)

Tyrese Hall has been coming off the bench in recent weeks and got 26 minutes in Notts County's 5-0 romp against Tranmere on Saturday in League Two.

The 20-year-old midfielder has notched six goals and two assists across 1,632 minutes in 31 appearances since heading out of Tottenham.

Damola Ajayi (Bromley)

Damola Ajayi found himself an unused substitute for the second weekend in a row as League Two side Bromley drew 0-0 at Harrogate Town on Saturday

The 20-year-old winger has managed 22 appearances across his spells at Bromley and Doncaster Rovers in a season of development.

Aaron Maguire (Hampton & Richmond Borough)

Aaron Maguire played every minute of his first three matches for National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough but has not been in the squad for their past two matches this week.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper is enjoying his first experience of senior football with the non-league outfit.

Arsenal face some fresh injury concerns after the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, as the Premier League leaders saw Bukayo Saka hobble off in the north London derby

Arsenal have some worrying injury concerns to manage after their crucial win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. The Gunners claimed a 4-1 victory in the north London derby on Sunday afternoon to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Mikel Arteta’s side restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, after Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 24 hours earlier to temporarily close the gap to just two points, with Arsenal now having played one game more.

Next up for Arsenal is a home clash against Chelsea in the Premier League next weekend, but Arteta will have some fitness concerns going into the match.

Bukayo Saka handed Arsenal an injury scare during the win over Tottenham, while Kai Havertz and Ben White both missed the fixture. Max Dowman and Mikel Merino were also absent from the win in the North London Derby.

Here, football.london takes a look at Arsenal’s current injury list and potential return dates after their win over Tottenham.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka emerged as an injury scare for Arsenal after limping off the pitch in the closing stages of the win over Tottenham.

There was no update from Arteta after the victory over Spurs, and Arsenal will be hoping that the England international is fit enough to feature in the Gunners’ next match against Chelsea.

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has missed Arsenal’s last four matches with a hamstring injury and it remains uncertain when the forward will return.

The German has previously spent a large portion of the campaign recovering from a knee injury, and both Havertz and the Gunners will be hoping for a recovery in time for the Chelsea fixture.

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Ben White

Ben White missed Arsenal’s win over Tottenham with an unspecified injury. The Gunners will be hoping that the defender does not spend any more time on the sidelines.

“It was Ben, he had a little niggle yesterday and he couldn't make the game,” Arteta told Sky Sports before kick-off in the North London Derby on Sunday.

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino suffered an ankle injury last month that is expected to leave him on the sidelines for several months.

Merino underwent surgery earlier this season and could be ruled out for the remainder of the season.

"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."

Potential return date: June/July

Max Dowman

Max Dowman has been recovering from an ankle injury since December, and is getting closer to a return to the matchday squad after taking part in first-team training this month.

"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."

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Peter Bankes raised eyebrows when he adjudged Randal Kolo Muani to have fouled Gabriel Magalhaes during the North London Derby

Keith Hackett believes Tottenham Hotspur were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed in the North London Derby. Randal Kolo Muani thought he had levelled proceedings for a second time on Sunday evening, but his effort was chalked off for an alleged foul on Gabriel Magalhaes in the build-up.

As the Spurs striker latched onto a deflected cross from Conor Gallagher, he ever so lightly prodded the Arsenal defender, who at this stage still had two feet planted on the turf, in the back with two hands. Gabriel proceeded to jump in the air and dramatically flail his hands above his head.

The Brazil international fell to the ground as if he had been pushed while airborne, and Peter Bankes awarded the Gunners a free-kick. The Video Assistant Referee, Darren England, and his assistant, Timothy Wood, confirmed the on-field decision from Stockley Park, and Kolo Muani's goal was ruled out.

The decision raised eyebrows, knowing that Hugo Ekitike went unpunished for a similar incident with Cristian Romero earlier in the season. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett suggested that Bankes was deceived by Gabriel's theatrics.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"What the referee has to decide is whether the Arsenal player is backing in. What makes it so stupid in this situation is that we see grappling going unpunished, but something as soft as this is punished.

"No wonder spectators are confused by the quality of these decisions. The player is backing in with the intention of achieving exactly what he’s achieved."

The former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief added: "A push starts with a bent arm, and it straightens – that’s a push. Here, we have a straight arm, and the player is using a degree of balance while maintaining space."

Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd also reviewed the incident on Sky Sports. The former, who officiated nearly 400 games in the Premier League, said: "The referee gives it.

"The on-field decision is always going to stand, he thinks there is enough of a push. VAR is never going to say he's got it wrong as the evidence is there."

Meanwhile, the latter, who played 598 times before hanging up his boots in 2022, said: "I thought it was really soft. When you look at the trajectory of the ball, Gabriel is underneath the ball, and he realises he is in that position.

"It is not enough to react in the way he did. He has fooled the referee."

The decision could prove costly at the end of the season, with Arsenal gunning for the title and Tottenham fighting for survival. Mikel Arteta's side went on to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League, while the Lilywhites failed to distance themselves from a relegation battle.

Igor Tudor has a lot of work to do before Tottenham Hotspur return to action at the weekend

Igor Tudor was spotted barking orders at his backline during the first half of the North London Derby, and Micky van de Ven's reaction spoke volumes about the current state of Tottenham Hotspur.

The interim head coach was visibly frustrated with his team for much of the tie, marching up and down his technical area. But one moment shortly before half-time, which was caught on camera by a fan in the stands, was particularly poignant.

During a break in play, Tudor urged his centre-backs to push up, shouting and gesticulating frantically from the sidelines. Although Van de Ven was in the frame of the shot, the Croatian appeared to be directing his discontent at Radu Dragusin.

Despite his best efforts to get the backline to step up, the Spurs defender ignored his instructions. Even Van de Ven, who was donning the captain's armband in the absence of Cristian Romero and in earshot of Tudor, failed to acknowledge his boss and relay the message.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

After realising that neither Dragusin nor the Netherlands international had taken his order on board, Tudor composed himself and applauded his players. The interim Tottenham boss eventually caught Van de Ven's attention and somewhat pulled him into position.

Spurs went on to lose the North London Derby, and Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Speaking after the game, the Dutchman pointed the finger at Tudor, who decided to man-mark the Gunners across the park.

Van de Ven claimed that the decision didn't pay off, with Randal Kolo Muani losing Eberechi Eze for the opener and Viktor Gyokeres darting ahead of Joao Palhinha to put Arsenal ahead just two minutes after the restart.

"Arsenal were the better team," the centre-back conceded. "We were still in the game at 1-1, but after the second half, they scored straight away, and then it was really difficult.

"We could do the press a bit better. We pressed high, but Arsenal came out of it. It's something we need to work on. They were the better team today.

"It's a risk when you go man for man, and if one man is late, then you're going to be open, but when you win the ball high, there are so many options for us. But on the opposite, when they come out, it's a big risk."

Meanwhile, Tudor bemoaned his backline's lack of urgency to step up and press. The Croatian said: "Too much problems in this moment in time that 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.

"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. Also, even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very evident in the team.

"We wanted and prepared to do the things but there is an opponent, but there is a reality today. 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..."

Dele Alli's return on Sunday to the club where he made his name stirred a wide range of emotions among the Tottenham supporters present.

The 29-year-old shot into the stratosphere as one of the brightest young talents in world football, his goals and assists more frequent than many of the Premier League's best who came before and have come since. The former England international, who is currently without a club, still hopes to return to those heights after struggling to recapture his form in his moves since leaving Spurs in 2022.

Dele racked up 126 goal involvements in 269 matches for Tottenham after arriving as a teenager from MK Dons and his return to N17 on Sunday at half-time during the north London derby was one of the most emotional moments this difficult season at the club has brought so far.

Many of the 61,439 fans inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had remained in their seats waiting for the midfielder to walk out of the tunnel to see them again and they greeted him with the chant that still often rings out today, informing everyone that they just don't understand that he "only cost five mill" and he is in fact "better than Ozil".

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The bespectacled Dele stood in the centre circle and looked emotional as the chant boomed out around him. He then lifted the microphone to his lips and said: "It's been a while and I hope you guys have missed me as much as I've missed you.

"I think a lot has happened in both of our journeys since I left but we're back together now and I think that you guys will be my family for the rest of my life."

For Tottenham fans the occasion whipped up a blend of different emotions. It brought back the memories of what Dele was capable of, the eye-catching goals against Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea and many more and also a sadness that he could not maintain his remarkable ascent and do so at Spurs for longer.

Dele's return and the montage of his wonderful moments on the four big screens around the stadium also served to remind the fanbase just how far their club has fallen.

The days of Dele combining effortlessly with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen in the DESK attack feel like a lifetime ago. A time when Mousa Dembele would boss the midfield and not let any opposition player take the ball from him. They tried but they just bounced off.

It was a period when Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen marshalled the back line with Kyle Walker and Danny Rose bombing down the flanks while a World Cup-winning goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris often pulled off spectacular saves when anything did manage to get through.

Under Mauricio Pochettino that team packed full of talent grew together with each passing season. It finished in the top three in three consecutive seasons, with two title challenges, before a final full campaign together when Spurs ended up fourth in the table and in their first ever Champions League final.

Just six-and-a-half years later and Tottenham are a complete and utter mess. Some of it leads back to the poor decisions made in those days in failing to bolster and rejuvenate the Argentine's side to prevent it and him getting stale, particularly those two transfer-less windows in that final full season.

Some of it falls upon the poor decisions made since with no clear plan or identity when it came to appointing a string of wildly different managers and styles while also spending money on potential rather than the present and then wondering why the present was not particularly good.

Spurs have gone from regular challengers at the top of the table and one of Europe's most exciting teams to spending back-to-back seasons trudging away down the bottom of the Premier League and now facing the very clear and present danger of relegation.

The swashbuckling style of that young, thrilling Pochettino team is nowhere to be seen in today's Tottenham. The past seven months of the Thomas Frank tenure, not helped by yet another crippling injury list, have resulted in a scarred and scared team that has no sense of how to attack as a unit, relying on set pieces and hopeful punts forward to score goals.

It's no coincidence that set piece coach Andreas Georgson was kept on after Frank's sacking because the Swede has been one of the few positives of a miserable Premier League campaign.

Now the task falls upon Igor Tudor to mould something out of the mess that lies before him. His expression on Sunday after the second-half hammering from Arsenal was one of realisation at what he has taken on.

One of Europe's best football firefighters of recent years has found a blaze that even he is shocked by and it is going to take an enormous effort to contain and eventually put out.

The Tottenham fans deserve better than what they have been served up. They were magnificent for much of Sunday's derby before realising in the final minutes that the chasm between the two north London clubs is just too huge right now and they began to depart for home and anything else to watch.

Many probably walked away turning their minds instead to the days of Dele and that special Spurs team. How that side did not win silverware and was not built upon to become a legacy rather than a distant memory is one of football's biggest missteps. They had Alli, Dele Alli and I just don't think they understood.

Eberechi Eze didn't appear to pull any punches when he told Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke exactly what he thought during the North London Derby

A lip reader has revealed what Eberechi Eze said to Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke during Arsenal's 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. It had been speculated that the 27-year-old midfielder, who fired the Gunners to victory in the North London Derby on Sunday evening, had some choice words about Igor Tudor's side.

A section of the Arsenal fanbase on social media reckoned that Eze had described Spurs as 'trash', shortly after taking a seat on the bench. The England international was replaced by Martin Odegaard with a quarter of an hour or so left on the clock.

An expert has investigated the exchange, which was caught on camera by Sky Sports. An official transcript from lip reading expert Nicola Hickling at LipReader reads: "[Eze] appears to say, 'It’s f****d,' while rotating his finger in an upward circular motion.

"He then says, 'It’s not working,' pulling his shirt up over his head briefly before wiping his face and lowering it again. A voice off-screen (partially not visible) seems to respond.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"He reacts with: 'I remember… the boss said it’s cool, Eze, Er not today.' He raises his hand and says, 'Why should I,' flicking his hand outward in a dismissive or disagreeing gesture.

"The other speaker remains mostly off-camera, so their words are not visible. While biting the edge of his shirt, appearing to process what’s being said, he replies, 'Right now, yeah.' Looking away, he adds: 'He trashed ’em… it’s trash, it’s all trash.'"

The voice off-screen in the clip of the exchange was Peter Drury, who commentated on the game for Sky Sports. Eze put Arsenal ahead on the half-hour mark, thumping the ball past Guglielmo Vicario from close range.

Tottenham equalised no more than a minute later, with Randal Kolo Mauni forcing a mistake from Declan Rice. Viktor Gyokeres doubled the Gunners' lead before the former Crystal Palace talisman netted his second of the afternoon.

In the dying embers of stoppage time, Arsenal put the fourth and final nail in the coffin, sealing a crucial win in the title race. The Gunners managed to restore their five-point cushion at the top of the table, putting the pressure back on Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

After the game, Eze was slightly more conservative in his assessment of the game. Once the dust had settled, the Arsenal midfielder told club media: "We played with dominance today, with confidence and just the connection that we had on the pitch.

"I think it was a special performance from us and something that we can continue to build on and something to work towards our goals. We know what these types of games are.

"We know the energy that the fans are bringing and how we need to be emotionally ready for the games as well. I think we've done so well with that and we took advantage of that for sure.

"These games are all about momentum and being in the moment. I'm just thankful to God for the opportunities that we took today. We worked so hard, we gave everything and when we perform like this it motivates us."

Viktor Gyokeres rubbed salt in the Tottenham Hotspur wounds after firing Arsenal to victory in the North London Derby

Viktor Gyokeres aimed a cheeky dig at Tottenham Hotspur following the North London Derby. The 27-year-old striker, who fired Arsenal to victory on Sunday evening, pounced on the chance to take one more jab at the Lilywhites.

In an interview with Sky Sports after the game, Gyokeres reflected on his goal at the start of the second half. Jurrien Timber fizzed the ball into the Sweden international, who was given space to take a touch and blast the ball past Guglielmo Vicario from the edge of the box.

While breaking down the passage of play, Gyokeres took a swipe at Spurs. He said: "We do that a few times in training, and obviously I watched his goals against 'these lot' last game, and I tried to replicate that a little bit, and it worked, so a nice goal."

Eberechi Eze, who stood beside the Swede, returned the compliment and claimed he wouldn't have been able to put two past Tottenham without him. He said: "Vik was doing it all game, you can see his work ethic.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"He helps the team, not just with his goals but the effort he puts in. It gets players like me in the best positions, and it helps a lot. He's got his two goals today, which he deserves."

Gary Neville also heaped praise on Gyokeres, describing his performance as his 'best' in an Arsenal shirt. Speaking from the gantry while on co-commentary duty, the Manchester United legend said: "He looks really lively and smart, Gyokeres.

"It’s the best I’ve seen him for a while. It’s a great moment for him. He’s still got a lot to do when it comes to him – and he hasn’t always been smooth – but it’s a wonderful finish.

"Gyokeres has had one of his best games for Arsenal; he’s been a real nuisance. It’s the best I’ve seen him in a big game. He’s never going to be the prettiest striker, but he deserves that award. He’s looked sharper today as well, it’s the most involved he’s been in a Premier League game."

Then, speaking on his podcast after the game, Neville claimed that Arsenal made a statement in the title race. The Sky Sports pundit said: "It was really important what happened today because it's too early for that real title pressure.

"We're not quite in the home straight - there's 10 games to go and they are eroding fast. But this is going to get really hot when it gets into April.

"You're now getting to a point whereby games really do count and when you drop points - and Arsenal have been on a difficult run. There were big question marks of Arsenal at the start of the game and they handled it.

"They played well and they dominated the first 20 minutes. They then go and get the goal and it's really good. Then they have the one blip when they let Tottenham back in it within 30 seconds, so there's another big question coming when they come out for the second half, but they've answered it.

"The big question at 2-1 then is 'can they go and kill the game off? Are they going to let Tottenham back into it?' And they've answered that. There's a number of questions throughout this match that Arsenal have answered.

"Can they score goals? They've done everything right today and playing here [at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium] was perfect for them."

Former Spurs striker Gary Lineker has weighed in with his verdict on the north London derby and whether Tottenham could indeed be relegated this season, following the 4-1 loss to rivals Arsenal

Gary Lineker has admitted he is genuinely "worried" that Tottenham could be relegated this season, following Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby.

In his first game in charge, interim boss Igor Tudor watched his side get beaten at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as a brace each from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres plunged Spurs further into Premier League relegation danger.

Indeed, the result has left Tottenham in 16th, just four points above 18th-place West Ham, who sit in the final relegation spot.

Spurs have lost each of their last three Premier League matches against Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal, and have therefore been dragged in a battle to avoid the drop.

Delivering his assessment of Tottenham's performance against Arsenal on Sunday and the overall relegation picture, ex-Spurs forward Gary Lineker is concerned for his former club.

"As a former Spurs man, I'm a little bit worried," Lineker told The Rest Is Football. "It was a brilliant bounce back from Arsenal, what they had to do, I look at Tottenham and I see a team that has a massive amount of injuries and devoid of confidence.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"North London derby, yes they had a go, but when you look at where they were and they had Kulusevski, Son, Maddison, lots of really good players, they look bereft of anything at the moment... I worry, I worry."

Although Tottenham fought back in the first half with Randal Kolo Muani levelling after Eze gave Mikel Arteta's side the lead, Spurs were outclassed in the second half by a rampant Arsenal. In truth, the scoreline flattered Tottenham as the Gunners could have bagged more.

Arsenal recorded 14 more shots than Tottenham and had SIX big chances compared to Spurs' none. The Gunners also had more possession, recorded a much larger xG (expected goals), and were dominant from the get-go.

Lineker added: "I was desperately disappointed, I know they've got a lot of players out injured, I don't think it’s a lack of effort. I think it's a lack of quality, they haven’t got the depth needed with injuries and when things go against you, sometimes when you've got no confidence and sucks the energy out of you.

"Look at Manchester United, they’re a different proposition to what they were beforehand. 'They don't care, they're not trying, they're not this' players care but it saps your quality, saps your energy, then you start performing nervously. Crikey, you've got a new manager and you'd think they want to impress.

"Overall, they were really found wanting.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

"Tottenham is a very well run business but is it a well run football club? Generally, the positions are comparative with the spending you make and Tottenham’s expenditure is that of a mid-table football club so they’re under performing because they're at least mid-table and they're in danger," Lineker continued, as he dissected the current issues at Spurs. "Can Tottenham go down? They're four points behind West Ham, it's not inconceivable."

Former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender Micah Richards then chipped in with his verdict, and despite only having a four-point gap to West Ham in the relegation battle, he believes Tottenham won't go down.

Forest sit in between West Ham and Tottenham in 17th, with the Reds having a minor two-point cushion on the Hammers.

Richards said: "No, it's not. I think they'll just have enough. Watching Forest, really good, unlucky, West Ham are playing better, but I think Spurs can get over the line because of the players."