Football London

Tottenham dealt fresh injury blow ahead of Sunday's North London Derby against Arsenal as manager provides huge update

Thomas Frank has been dealt yet another injury blow, with Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr returning to London after picking up a knock on international duty.

Sarr started Senegal's 2-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday, with the match played at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in north London. The midfielder was forced off in the second half, however, after going down under a challenge.

The 23-year-old was flanked my medical staff and appeared in discomfort as he left the pitch. Senegal manager Pape Thiaw initially said the injury wasn't serious and insisted: "I don't think it's a big deal."

But Sarr has not been named in the Senegal matchday squad for Tuesday's friendly with Kenya. The Spurs man instead remained in London after Saturday's match against Brazil and did not travel to Turkey with his teammates.

“We left him in London," Thiaw confirmed. "He took a knock. So we felt it would be difficult for him to recover in just two days.

“Since we were in his home city, we preferred to leave him at the disposal of his club so he could receive treatment there.”

Frank is already with a number of senior players due to injury and the Dane will be keen on getting Sarr back fit as soon as possible. There is currently no word on how serious the midfielder's injury is and he is likely to undergo tests this week.

James Maddison, Dejen Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin have not played a single minute this campaign due to injury, while Frank has also been without Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Archie Gray for large periods. There are also concerns over the fitness of Ben Davies, Kota Takai, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Muani going into Sunday's North London Derby against Arsenal.

The Gunners, meanwhile, have a number of injury issues of their own. Defender Gabriel Magalhaes sustained what is believed to be a thigh injury in Brazil's win over Senegal, while Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres are already sidelined.

Michael Oliver's appointment to officiate the Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur clash on Sunday has been questioned after ten-month absent from Gunners matches following error made in Wolves win

Arsenal supporters have awoken to the news that Michael Oliver is set to take charge of the North London Derby on Sunday as Tottenham come to the Emirates Stadium. This is not an announcement that has been welcomed and understandably so when looking back at the last time Oliver officiated an Arsenal match.

Oliver took charge of the Gunners’ trip to Wolves on January 25 earlier this year, in which he sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly with a straight red card. The defender had committed a cynical foul on Matt Doherty, which in any other game most would assume a yellow card, but the sending off was not expected.

When asked post-match for his thoughts, Arteta was clear without saying much at all: “I think it's that obvious that we don't need any comments today. Hopefully, the right thing will happen after today.”

Arsenal successfully appealed the decision, despite Arteta also stating that he had hoped it would not be necessary. An independent panel of three were “unanimous” in their view that Oliver had made an obvious error sending off the youngster.

Lewis-Skelly would go on to score in the following game, which happened to be against Manchester City. Oliver allegedly received “threats and abuse” online in the wake of the match, and the police launched an investigation as a result.

Arteta was asked for his thoughts on the matter, to which he replied: "[It] leaves a bad taste and makes people's lives more difficult. Let's get it out, let's kick it out."

Which brings us to Sunday where Oliver has been selected for the North London Derby. It leaves a simple question of “Why now? Why this game?”

Oliver has not taken charge of any Arsenal matches since that fateful afternoon in January 2025. Oliver is seen by many as one of the league’s best and is often given high profile games.

He has officiated several derbies this season, including West Ham vs Chelsea, Fulham vs Brentford and Liverpool vs Manchester United. However, he has also officiated many lesser-profile fixtures too.

Rob Jones and Tony Harrington are the other officials in action on Sunday. Jones has officiated the Gunners seven times, but none so far this season. Harrington has officiated Arsenal once before, in the home win over Southampton in October 2024.

Oliver could have been selected to officiate any of Arsenal’s matches this season, but has been given the most high-profile so far. If anything, if there is a case to ease Oliver back into action involving Arsenal, is this the best for his own welfare to referee the most frenetic, chaotic and emotional date on the calendar at the Emirates Stadium? Probably not.

The hope will be this trial by fire will see Oliver flourish, and by flourish, I mean have a performance whereby he’s hardy in the spotlight whatsoever. Unlikely, based on the history of these affairs, but hopefully all the same.

Jamie Donley scored the winner for Northern Ireland against Luxembourg on Monday, with the young Tottenham star playing a slightly different position

Jamie Donley has revealed how much Harry Kane helped him during their days at Tottenham together after scoring his first goal for Northern Ireland.

The 20-year-old's first strike for his country earned Michael O’Neill’s side a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg on Monday. Donley struck from the penalty spot in the 44th minute at Windsor Park to settle a drab finale to the Group A campaign, having earlier seen a fine finish ruled out as Ethan Galbraith was offside.

Aside from securing a win for Northern Ireland as they look ahead to their qualifying play-off in March, Donley’s goal was an important moment personally given a frustrating lack of game time on loan at Stoke from Tottenham this season, having made only six appearances.

That did not stop O’Neill from trusting the 20-year-old Donley to make only his second international start, and first in a competitive game, on Monday and to do so in the number nine role whereas he usually operates at number 10.

Donley admitted he is still adapting to the position, but he has taken on board lessons from Kane during their time together at Tottenham, before Kane’s move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023. “That’s probably why I like to try and drop deep because I’m trying to do what he does,” Donley said of Kane.

“He helped me a lot when he was around just with different types of advice and stuff. So, yes, it’s good to learn from the best.”

Although Donley is more used to deeper roles, O’Neill sees the Spurs star as a potential number nine for his country. “Michael always speaks to me about playing me as a striker,” Donley said.

“He can see me playing there, and he kind of just said to take my opportunity. Luckily, I scored. Normally, I’m behind the striker but with this, it’s more about running behind more and stretching the game. I can add that to my game, definitely.”

Like Kane, Donley represented England at several youth levels, but the Antrim-born forward switched allegiance to his father’s home country in March of this year and has not looked back, with Monday’s game his sixth cap.

“Personally, I don’t think it was a huge call,” Donley said of the switch. “Michael was on to me for a couple of years about coming over.

“I just think it was right for me and my career at that moment. I’m delighted with how young the group is and how well we’re performing at the minute. I think I’ve definitely made the right decision.”

Jurrien Timber has posted a seven-word message on social media after giving Mikel Arteta an injury scare ahead of the North London Derby at the weekend.

The Arsenal defender started Netherlands' clash against Lithuania on Monday night and in the first half required treatment from physios on what appeared to be a knee problem. Despite the fairly significant gash on his leg, the right-back played on but was eventually taken off just after the hour mark.

With Arsenal playing Tottenham on Sunday, Gunners supporters would have feared that the defender may indeed miss the clash due to injury. Timber has now taken to Instagram, however, and shared a message of his own.

As well as publishing a number of pictures of himself in action for the Netherlands, Timber said: "We made it, see you in 2026 [love heart emoji]."

Given the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury Timber suffered shortly after signing for Arsenal, some fans may have feared the worst. Given the defender played on, however, and appears to be in good spirits given his social media activity, he should be fit for the clash against north London rivals Tottenham at the weekend.

It comes after Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off with a groin injury in Brazil's friendly against Senegal at Emirates Stadium. A statement later confirmed that the 27-year-old was miss his national team's following clash after undergoing initial examinations.

"Arsenal player Gabriel Magalhaes was re-evaluated this Sunday and underwent imaging tests that revealed a muscle injury in his right thigh," it read. "Therefore, the player will not travel with the team to the match against Tunisia in Lille. No other player will be called up to replace him."

Riccardo Calafiori is currently following a separate training programme in Italy training because of a hip issue. National team head coach Gennaro Gattuso, therefore, opted against deploying him for World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Norway. Despite concerns, the expectation is that he will be fine to feature against Spurs.

Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus have all missed varying periods, but the hope is that it won't be too long until they make their returns.

Antoine Semenyo signed a new long-term contract with Bournemouth in the summer, but the Cherries have reportedly 'accepted' that the forward could leave in January

Antoine Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his Bournemouth contract, which could interest a host of Premier League clubs including Tottenham.

Spurs were heavily linked with a move for the tricky winger in the summer, with Thomas Frank said to be a keen admirer of the 25-year-old. Liverpool and Manchester United were also linked with the Cherries star but he eventually signed a new contract with the south coast club

Nevertheless, despite penning fresh terms that should secure his services at the Vitality Stadium until 2030, Semenyo could find himself departing as soon as January following a fresh development. According to The Athletic, the Ghanaian's revised contract contains a £65million release clause, which any club can activate.

It's understood that Bournemouth have reluctantly 'acknowledged' that his destiny lies beyond their control, and a January departure could materialise, reports the Mirror. The report also reveals how Semenyo was priced at approximately £70million this summer, with his release clause enabling interested parties to acquire his signature for slightly less come January.

It's suggested that any potential suitors will need to trigger his clause by a specific date to permit the Cherries to source a replacement. The news comes as Semenyo recently refuted suggestions that he was eager to sever ties with his current employers.

When questioned by Jamie Redknapp about his future recently, the Ghana international replied: "I don't think about it too much. I try to stay present as much as I can. 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 team-mates] 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."

Following his remarkable return of 13 goals in all competitions during the previous campaign, Semenyo became the subject of intense transfer speculation. Spurs were one of the clubs interested in the Ghana star, but ultimately completed the signing of Mohammed Kudus in a £55million switch from West Ham United.

Arsenal take on bitter rivals Tottenham at Emirates Stadium this weekend with the Premier League announcing a major refereeing decision.

The Premier League have confirmed refereeing appointments for this weekend's fixtures with a familiar face that has angered Mikel Arteta in charge for Arsenal's clash against Tottenham. Emirates Stadium hosts the latest North London Derby with it undoubtedly as the showpiece fixture of game week 12.

The Gunners head into the meeting following a minor setback in their pursuit of the Premier League title after drawing to Sunderland. The November international break has made Brian Brobbey's last-gasp equaliser feel an awfully long time ago especially with plenty having happened since.

Martin Zubimendi and Bukayo Saka have both scored for Spain and England, respectively, but the bigger news has surrounded Gabriel Magalhaes. During Brazil's friendly against Senegal over the weekend, the defender picked up a groin injury which has made him a huge doubt to face Spurs.

Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have also picked up issues, but both are expected to be okay before Sunday's clash. With Arteta likely already annoyed at the scenario that has played out, Michael Oliver being confirmed as the official for Arsenal vs Tottenham is unlikely to cheer him up too much, either.

As confirmed by the Premier League, Oliver will take charge of the North London Derby - with Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring as his linesmen and Michael Salisbury as the fourth official. They will be supported by Stuart Attwell as lead VAR operator and Constantine Hatzidakis as his assistant.

Oliver has not been at the centre of many controversial incidents this season, but Arteta will certainly remember him making big decisions against Arsenal. Back in September 2024, he sent off Leandro Trossard away at Man City with his second caution for kicking the ball away which ultimately delayed the restart.

Having lost Declan Rice to a similar action a few weeks earlier, Arteta was - unsurprisingly - annoyed with his anger heightened by Jeremy Doku doing exactly what Trossard did but going unpunished.

"There were two incidents, very similar," Arteta said when speaking about the decisions. "In particular one was very different with a different outcome that forces you to play a game that nobody wanted to watch.

He later clarified: "It's [Trossard kicking the ball away] is less than a second. The previous one [Doku's] is more than a second. That's it. It's simple."

Just a few months later, Oliver wrongly dismissed Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves for a late but not reckless nor goal-scoring denying challenge. Though Calafiori grabbed the winning goal - and that red card was later overturned - the decision still brought about furious responses.

"I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you," Arteta said to Sky Sports.

"Because it is that obvious, I don't think my words are going to help."

Oliver will be hoping for a quiet afternoon, but that seems unlikely given the two teams playing.

Ex-Tottenham striker Troy Parrott became a national hero by scoring five goals in two games to help the Republic of Ireland book their place in the World Cup play-offs over the weekend

Troy Parrott's heroics for the Republic of Ireland have left Tottenham fans thinking what might've been. Parrott, 23, scored both goals in his country's 2-0 win against Portugal in Dublin on Thursday before bagging a hat-trick during Sunday's dramatic 3-2 win away to Hungary.

His haul of five goals, the last of which was a 96th-minute winner, sealed Ireland's place in the World Cup play-offs, recovering from a dismal start to their qualifying campaign. The striker is the new poster boy of Irish football, having been on the books at Spurs between 2017 and 2024.

Parrott joined Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar on a permanent basis last year, with Tottenham selling him for €8 million (£6.7m). After drawing comparisons to Robbie Keane following an impressive display in a 2019 pre-season clash with Juventus, big things were expected of him.

Jose Mourinho was appointed a few months later and in March 2020, Parrott ended up being Spurs' only fit striker. As fans urged Mourinho to give him a chance, Parrott continued playing in the under-23s and, according to his boss, made his frustration clear.

"I told him before the (youth team) game: 'Every time you play with the kids of your age, you have to show your colleagues why you are the privileged one' because it was something he was not doing," Mourinho said at a press conference.

"Every time he was playing with the kids, he was playing with the mentality of, 'I shouldn't be here' or, 'I am too good to be here'. I had exactly the same words with Scott McTominay (at Manchester United).

"He was not loved in his age group because he was not there with the right frame of mind. The moment we started changing that lots of things started changing for him. Troy cannot go there [the under‐age teams] with discontent, contempt.

"It is a process. So everything goes very, very well. But this is a world where lots of people don't even know if Troy has long hair or short hair, or is blond or is dark.

"They don't even know that and they speak about Troy, Troy, Troy. There was a guy behind me on the bench the other day: 'Play Troy, play Troy'. I don't think he knows Troy."

The following season, Parrott joined Millwall on loan and was asked about Mourinho's comments - and he gave a mature response. "To be fair, he's such an experienced manager and he's done nearly everything in the game, so if he feels like that's right then there must be some truth in it and I had to take it on the chin," Parrott explained.

"I was speaking to coaching staff and players finding out what I needed to do to be better. Because, obviously, Mourinho has worked with some of the best strikers there's ever been.

"To get advice off him was great. I knew what I needed to do. It was helpful advice."

Five years later, Parrott is hot property and linked with a return to the Premier League. In an emotional interview with RTE after Sunday's comeback, the 23-year-old beamed: "This is why we love football because anything can happen.

"I just love where I'm from. My family are here. My mum is so proud of me. This is the first time I've cried in years. The boys are all crying over there.

"I don't think I'll have a better night in my life. It's a fairytale, you couldn't dream anything like that."

Arsenal have a number of injury worries ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham with Mikel Arteta hoping for good news this week.

Arsenal have injury and fitness worries over several players ahead of the return of the Premier League after the November international break.

It’s back to action with a bang for the Gunners next Sunday as they host North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium (4.30pm kick-off).

Ahead of the game, Arsenal have been handed one big injury worry in particular. Influential defender Gabriel Magalhaes limped off the Emirates Stadium pitch during Brazil’s friendly with Senegal on Saturday.

Despite the player warming up separately from the rest of the team due to concerns about load management, he started the match. However, in the second half he was forced off the pitch with a thigh injury.

Following the match, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said : "Bad? I don’t know, he had a problem on his adductor the medical staff have to check tomorrow.

"We are really sorry for this, really disappointed, when players have an injury I hope they can recover well and soon.”

The next day, the Brazilian Football Association gave an update . "Arsenal player Gabriel Magalhaes was re-evaluated this Sunday and underwent imaging tests that revealed a muscle injury in his right thigh,” the statement read.

"Therefore, the player will not travel with the team for the match against Tunisia in Lille. No other player will be called up to replace him."

How serious the injury is, or how long it could keep him out for is still to be seen. Manager Mikel Arteta will give the latest in his pre-match press conference later this week.

The international break also brought concern over Riccardo Calafiori. The full-back dropped out of the Italy squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Norway.

However, in a boost to Arsenal, it has since been claimed that the defender will be available to play against Tottenham despite his withdrawal from international duties.

Arteta will be hoping for more good news over players’ availability this week. Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke have all been on the sidelines.

They are all closing in on a return with it hoped that at least some will be available to make an appearance in the North London derby.

"It's moving forward," Odegaard said of his injury comeback on Sunday. "The match today came a little too early... But it's starting to look better, so hopefully I'll be back soon."

Tottenham Hotspur star Dominic Solanke has made only three appearances for Thomas Frank's team so far this term having been out with an injury

Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has provided a new update as he continues his recovery from injury.

The forward has made just three appearances this term as he attempted to manage the issue. Solanke is hoping to make a swift return, with boss Thomas Frank revealing in early October that he does not expect the ex-Bournemouth star to be out for an extended period.

The 28-year-old has not featured for Spurs since August and has played just 49 minutes across matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Burnley. And the Englishman has been trying to stay positive, if his recent activity on Instagram is anything to go by.

On Sunday, he posted: "Little bit of life," alongside several more pictures of him.

Solanke's post follows one from four weeks ago with a similar tone. "Positivity through the dark times," he said, alongside several more pictures of him.

Solanke has recently indicated on social media that it won't be long until he returns to the pitch.

"Hi everyone, quick update about my current situation," he posted. "The last few months have been very frustrating as I've tried everything possible to try and push through my ankle issue before taking the option of surgery.

"None of this managed to solve the problem, so we had to go ahead with minor surgery which I underwent this morning. It was all successful so hopefully I'll be back on the pitch in the very near future!

"Thank you for all your love and messages."

Ahead of Spurs' Champions League clash against Bodo/Glimt in September, Frank revealed that Solanke's absence from the trip was due to the surgery. "Dom, you know, got that ankle issue that's been bothering him for a little while," he said.

"So now we decided to make a minor surgery. It's a small procedure. So that will mean he's not ready for today, of course.

"And of course, Leeds he's out as well. We will have more news about time frame after the international break. But I don't expect it to be long."

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