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Tottenham had a rotten start to their match against Arsenal on Sunday as they went 2-0 behind at the Emirates just before half-time.

While Arsenal were predicted to overcome Tottenham before the game, it was an embarrassing showing in the first period, with Spurs not even managing a shot.

The lack of attacking intent was then punished by the Gunners, as they quickly found the net twice at the end of the first half.

Leandro Trossard netted the opener after a big deflection, with Eberechi Eze, who was linked to Tottenham in the summer, putting Arsenal 2-0 up five minutes later.

However, this was a controversial moment in the match, with an argument to be had that Guglielmo Vicario’s vision was blocked by some Arsenal players.

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VAR deemed no Arsenal players in the line of vision of the goalkeeper

Arsenal’s second was a suckerpunch for the visitors, and put Spurs in a terrible position at half-time.

However, there was an argument to be had that Eze’s goal should have been disallowed.

Several Arsenal players were offside when the midfielder struck the ball, with many believing that they were blocking Vicario’s vision and therefore hindering his ability to make the save.

However, the Premier League Match Centre on X on 23 November has since confirmed VAR deemed the incident not to have impacted Spurs.

Thomas Frank got it all wrong against Arsenal

Tottenham’s first half performance will be rightly criticised by the media.

Spurs had already been blasted for their lack of attacking intent against Chelsea, and a repeat of this occured at the Emirates.

Tottenham did not lay a glove on the Gunners, and were rightly behind at the break, with Frank showing no amibition to beat Arsenal in his first North London derby.

It was always a risk to play a five-at-the-back against a side who were dominating the Premier League, and Frank’s tactics were completely shown up on Sunday.

Xavi Simons has “absolutely no excuse” for not performing at Tottenham unless Thomas Frank wasn’t clear how he planned to use him, says Tim Sherwood.

Simons arrived to much excitement after Tottenham hijacked Chelsea in the summer transfer window, but the early months of his Spurs career have been disappointing.

Tottenham’s 1-0 home loss to Chelsea saw Simons particularly anonymous, and Sherwood feels there is a potential issue with how the Dutchman is being used in Frank‘s set up.

Spurs face Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday needing a big result, and Simons hasn’t been chosen in the starting XI.

Sherwood says Frank doesn’t play Simons where he wants to be

Speaking about the situation live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday ahead of the North London derby the following day Sherwood accepted it’s hard to adapt to the English top flight, but claimed Simons shouldn’t have signed if he didn’t like Frank’s plans for him.

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The ex-Spurs boss said what needs to happen for an improvement: “Play him where he wants to play. He wants to play as a number 10 and Thomas Frank don’t play him at number 10.

“[Frank] must have told him when he’s come to sign. Xavi Simons shouldn’t have come. If he said ‘I’m gonna play you off the left and you can drift in, or I’ll play you off the right and you can drift into central areas‘, then fine.

“He’s got absolutely no excuse not to deliver when he gets on the ball and he’s got to show more than what he’s shown. I think there’s a lot of onus on him, the reputation, but it’s difficult to adjust to a different country and adjust to the Premier League.”

Simons can re-write Tottenham story off the bench

Simons and Frank are in a similar boat for the trip to the Emirates in that both have their critics so far this term and could completely change the tune on themselves with impressive returns at their rivals.

The Dane faces the most immediate pressure if Tottenham‘s form continues to be disappointing, but his misfiring summer recruit really needs a spark.

If Simons is introduced off the bench against Mikel Arteta’s league leaders and scores his first goal for the club then it would be the perfect way to finally announce himself properly.

Despite results being increasingly inconsistent Spurs have been able maintain a decent position in the league, but entering the derby ninth after the rest of the weekend’s action they are starting to sink, and fans don’t want a repeat of last season.

Tottenham’s struggles to bring through new players from the academy stem from a change made under Mauricio Pochettino, it has been revealed.

Dane Scarlett was called up to train with the England first team last month, with the young striker representing one of the two academy graduates in Thomas Frank‘s squad.

The other, Brandon Austin, is yet to feature in goal this season and has made just three Tottenham appearances in his career so far.

Mikey Moore is on loan at Rangers, and perhaps presents the closest Tottenham academy player to make a serious impact in the first team.

After a slow start to his time at Ibrox, Moore has started to perform under Danny Rohl at Rangers, although the youngster has been struck down by a recent injury.

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Source reveals communication issues at the Tottenham academy level

Tottenham’s decision to sell Troy Parrott has been branded a mistake, after the striker scored a hat-trick on international duty for Ireland this week.

The 23-year-old was sold in the summer of 2024 for a nominal fee, after several loans had failed to earn the forward a place in the first team.

But Parrott is only one example of the lack of communication at Tottenham when it comes to academy players.

The Telegraph reported on Sunday that a lack of joined-up thinking has been evident since Mauricio Pochettino was in charge.

A source told the newspaper that Pochettino would involve former academy manager John McDermott in everything. “John would be in every meeting,” the source explained.

“So Mauricio would know exactly who was coming through the academy and John could suggest pathways for players.

“Daniel (Levy) would find out about a young player if he happened to be in one of the meetings and Mauricio and John were talking about him.

“That dynamic changed after Mauricio was sacked and then John left to join the FA, which was a big blow for the academy and took them a long time to start recovering from.”

Tottenham at risk of losing latest academy starlet

As Chelsea have learned in the case of Rio Ngumoha, signing young talents to bolster your ranks is all well and good, until it costs the opportunities of your own.

Tottenham have taken a similar strategy with the signings of Luka Vuskovic, Lucas Bergvall, and Mason Melia, while a player making waves in the academy awaits his first opportunities.

Luca Williams-Barnett has enjoyed a stunning start to the campaign, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in just 12 appearances across all competitions.

Despite playing four years above his age level, the 17-year-old has scored six goals and provided four assists in just seven Premier League 2 outings.

Yet Frank has handed Williams-Barnett just three minutes for the senior team this season, against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

For context, Max Dowman, who is thought of in a similar light, has already made five appearances for the Arsenal first team this season, despite being two years younger.

Such is the demand for young talent in the current game, Williams-Barnett will not wait forever. It is up to Frank and Tottenham to show the England youth international that the opportunities are there.

Tottenham fans have been told not to worry about Yang Min-Hyeok’s limited game time at Portsmouth in recent weeks.

Yang was one of several youngsters who were loaned to various clubs over the summer, and there have been mixed outcomes of their loan spells thus far.

Tyrese Hall has been flying at Notts County, while Tottenham have been told to recall James Donley and Ashley Phillips from Stoke City due to the former’s lack of game time.

Yang started like Hall, but there are now concerns that his time at Portsmouth could turn out to be more like Donley’s at Stoke City.

Tottenham told Yang Min-Hyeok’s minutes not an issue yet

Yang was loaned to Portsmouth over the summer and started well, just like he had at QPR the previous season.

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However, he has played a combined seven minutes across their last three league games and remained on the bench in Portsmouth’s recent 3-1 win over Millwall on Saturday.

This, of course, has caused Spurs fans to worry, but speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes Yang will start playing regularly again soon.

“I’m not going to worry about it too much because if you remember at the very start of the season, he couldn’t get in the team whatsoever and their fans were screaming, sending him back and all this kind of nonsense,” Wenham said.

“Then he got in the team and he was delivering. He was scoring; his confidence was high. I know he’s coming off the bench in the last couple of games, but I think he’ll have another pickup patch again soon.

“I’m quite confident because he had that run of about seven starts in a row, and you don’t give a player who isn’t performing well that level of consistent game time.

“Maybe he’s got some sort of small knock or something. I imagine he’ll be back. They like him down there at Portsmouth from what I’ve heard.”

Tottenham will need to keep a close eye on Yang Min-Hyeok

The last thing the Lilywhites will want is for Yang’s development to be curbed.

This was something seen with Alejo Veliz before he was loaned to Rosario Central over the summer.

The striker netted just one goal while on loan at Espanyol last season and made only six appearances for Sevilla the season before.

If Yang’s situation at Portsmouth continues, Tottenham will need to consider recalling him this winter.

But for now, with the issue still so fresh, all the North London club can do at the moment is to keep a close eye on the situation.

How to watch today’s Arsenal vs Tottenham Premier League clash: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time

Tottenham travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal on Sunday in the North London derby.

Arsenal are the favourites against Tottenham, with the Gunners leading the way at the top of the Premier League.

The international break has provided both teams with an opportunity to regroup after disappointing late draws in their last matches.

Tottenham drew 2-2 with Manchester United, after Matthijs de Ligt scored late on, with Arsenal suffering the same fate after a late goal from Brian Brobbey in a 2-2 draw away at Sunderland.

Tottenham’s home form was criticised following the draw to Manchester United, with Thomas Frank‘s team having far more joy on the road.

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How to watch Arsenal vs Tottenham

Arsenal have dominated the North London derby of late. Tottenham have not emerged victorious from the contest since May of 2022, when Harry Kane and Son Heung-min scored to push the Lilywhites towards the top four.

Rob Holding had been sent off in the first half of the game, after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession for fouls on Son.

The Gunners would go on to miss out on the Champions League places, with Tottenham, under Antonio Conte, surging towards a fourth-placed finish.

The years since, however, have seen Arsenal go from strength to strength, while Tottenham have languished amid several managerial appointments.

Frank will hope his side are now ready to turn a corner, however, with Sunday presenting the perfect opportunity to get one back over their noisy North London rivals.

Tottenham’s trip to Arsenal can be watched live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HDR, and can be streamed live on Now TV.

Arsenal vs Tottenham kick-off time

Tottenham often had joy against Arsenal at White Hart Lane, but the Emirates Stadium has always been a difficult proposition.

In the 19 years that have passed since the Gunners moved from Highbury, Tottenham have won just twice – with only one of those wins coming in the Premier League.

That day saw Harry Redknapp‘s side come from two goals down to win 3-2, with Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, and Younes Kaboul netting.

Frank will hope to repeat those heroics on Sunday to become just the second-ever Tottenham manager to win at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.

The North London derby will kick off at 16:30 GMT on Sunday.

Xavi Simons has been indulging in Tottenham history in the streets around N17.

It’s fair to say that Simons has had a mixed start at Tottenham, but the young star will be keen on showing his true potential for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and Thomas Frank will be hoping for his biggest Premier League victory as Spurs boss yet.

Simons looked confident while away with the Netherlands, and could be primed to make an impact against the Gunners on 23 November.

The attacking midfielder may have just made himself a fan favourite ahead of the clash, too.

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Xavi Simons pays tribute to Ledley King mural

Tottenham have a fantastic away record heading into the North London derby, which could see Frank’s side cause an upset.

It’s not yet clear whether the Spurs boss will opt to start Simons, especially with concerns over his ability to get up and perform in high-stakes matches.

However, Tottenham fans will most likely be pleading for his inclusion after what the Dutchman just did.

Simons uploaded a picture to X, which showed him standing in front of Tottenham legend Ledley King‘s mural, which is in the heart of N17.

The 22-year-old also appears to be wearing a Spurs shirt with King’s name and number on the back.

It’s just further proof that Simons is desperate to succeed at Tottenham.

Simons’ form could explode at the perfect time

The international break may have come at the perfect time for Simons to gain form, heading into what is a congested period of fixtures.

The Lilywhites’ season could very well be decided in the coming months, with important games to come, and Frank needs his attackers to be firing.

Imagine if Simons could make a difference against Arsenal? There would be no better way to announce yourself than a performance against the Gunners as a Lilywhite.

Simons has shown promise in many games, and it could all be leading up to arguably the biggest match of the season for him to explode into form.

Tottenham will have a huge problem against Arsenal if Randal Kolo Muani doesn’t start.

Fans feared the worst when Kolo Muani was substituted with a jaw injury in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw to Manchester United.

However, the striker has since returned, albeit with a mask, and could gain some minutes when Tottenham face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Tottenham are not the favourites to win against Arsenal, but may have a fighting chance with Kolo Muani ready to play in the North London derby.

Tottenham’s odds plummet with Richarlison and Mathys Tel

Despite his return, Kolo Muani could start from the bench against the Gunners on 23 November.

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There is no doubt that it could take him time to adjust to his new mask, and as a result, Thomas Frank could opt to start Richarlison in his place.

However, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes Spurs’ chances of winning plummet with either Richarlison or Mathys Tel starting.

“Massively frustrating. We’ve got a really good striker and he’s just never available to play,” Wenham said.

“Kolo Muani would have been the next best after Dominic Solanke, and if he’s unable to start, Frank’s going to have to come up with something before Sunday.

“If it’s Tel, unfortunately, I can just see possession constantly being swallowed at the back and Arsenal recycling the ball over and over again, and we’ve got no outlet.

“It’s not like the days when Harry Kane could hold the ball up for you, win a free kick or hold the ball up and play someone in.”

Who should start over Mathys Tel or Richarlison?

Both Tel and Richarlison came off the bench and netted in Spurs’ draw to Man United before the Premier League paused for the international break.

Their cameos deem both deserving to start the North London derby, but on numbers alone, the Brazilian has the edge.

The Brazilian is also the more experienced striker, which could be beneficial for Spurs against their rivals.

But with their options so limited, Tottenham fans will be hoping that Kolo Muani is fit to start the confrontation.

Frank will have to work some magic to win this one.

Tottenham Women have reached an agreement to sign Signe Gaupset from SK Brann at the start of January.

Martin Ho replaced Robert Vilahamn over the summer after the Lilywhites finished 11th in the WSL last season.

This occurred during a period of significant change, as Daniel Levy stepped down as Tottenham chairman after nearly 25 years in North London.

This came after the Lewis family had prioritised Spurs’ sporting ambitions, and Gaupest’s signing on 1 January will surely be a step in the right direction.

Who is Signe Gaupset?

Tottenham Women completed the signing of Gaupset for a club-record fee of £378,000 on 21 November.

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New signing Gaupset is considered one of the most promising young stars of her generation.

The attacking midfielder, who can operate centrally and in wide positions, sent shockwaves after scoring on her debut at 16 in SK Brann’s 2-0 win over Asane in the Norwegian Cup.

The 20-year-old’s breakthrough moment came in 2022 when she inspired the Bergen side to claim the Norwegian Cup with a brace in a 3-1 win over Stabaek.

Gaupset is familiar with Ho and under his leadership, the rising star shone the following season in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

At just 18 years old, she made history by scoring a last-minute equaliser in a draw with Lyon in the Champions League group stage to help her side progress to the knockouts for the very first time.

Gaupset’s signing is the third time since July that the Lilywhites have broken their transfer record and is proof that Tottenham’s hierarchy is serious about elevating the Women’s team to the next level.

Martin Ho has transformed Tottenham Women

Tottenham Women are flying under Ho’s leadership and are currently fifth in the WSL this season.

The biggest difference, similar to the Men’s team under Thomas Frank, is their improved defensive structure.

This is partly because of summer signing Toko Koga, who has been solid since her arrival.

She has also completed 67 per cent of her dribbles and won 60 per cent of her aerial duels, according to Sofascore.

As seen in the Lilywhites’ goalless draw against Arsenal and their narrow 1-0 defeat to the reigning WSL champions, Chelsea, earlier in the period, Ho’s side is a better, more efficient defensive unit.

Now, Gaupset will improve things in the final third, too.

Piers Morgan is feeling overly-confident in Arsenal ahead of the North London derby clash with Tottenham.

Thomas Frank’s Spurs head to the Emirates at 16.30pm on Sunday to take on their biggest rivals with the Gunners riding high at the top of the table.

Arsenal’s winning run came to an end prior to the international break thanks to Sunderland’s late equaliser, but after Tottenham drew 2-2 with Man United on 8 November it is now no Premier League wins in three outings, coming after Spurs were beaten at home by Chelsea off the back of a loss at Newcastle.

Morgan predicts 5-0 thrashing of Tottenham

Frank‘s men still sit fifth in the table despite the indifferent recent form, although there is currently an eight-point gap to their derby rivals.

Spurs triumphed over Arsenal in the summer friendly meeting in Hong Kong thanks to a Pape Matar Sarr goal but haven’t come out of the fixture victorious in the league since a 3-0 win in 2022.

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That has contributed to Arsenal fan Morgan, typically full of himself, claiming that he is being conservative in tipping his side for a 5-0 win during an interview live on talkSPORT.

He said: “5-0, and to be honest, I’m being serious with you, I think I might be underestimating what may happen.

“I think we’re going to absolutely batter them.”

He went onto claim Arsenal will be champions by March: “March the 30th, yeah, my birthday. It’s gonna be a day of utter jubilation.

“And by the way if my dad’s listening, he’s a Tottenham fan, Dad you’re in for a very, very painful weekend, and I will be calling you from the Emirates as the fifth one bangs in, a [Bukayo] Saka screamer, and I will be reminding you there is one team in North London and they’ll be wearing red.”

Frank needs statement result after Chelsea test failed

On form, at home, Arsenal will be favourites, but Morgan is likely more concerned with winding people up than actually being accurate with his prediction.

A positive result at the Emirates could be invaluable for Frank, with some fans claiming Tottenham should never have sacked Ange Postecoglou for the Dane.

It would be premature for the former Brentford boss to be in genuine danger of the sack, but with form becoming indifferent and certain performances ringing some alarms, he could certainly do with a statement win.

Clearly, if a heavy defeat were to materialise it might put him in trouble, as would the sort of limp opposition his side put up in the loss to Chelsea.

Injuries have played their part in the early months of his career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but pressure is slowly growing so now would be the perfect time to get any fans with doubts back onside.

Brennan Johnson is in prime form to hurt Arsenal on Sunday following his recent antics away from Tottenham.

Tottenham travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on the Gunners in what is sure to be another fierce North London derby.

Thomas Frank will be hoping to continue Spurs’ encouraging form in the Premier League, and he may only be able to do that with the help of his star Welshman.

Johnson has been touted for a Tottenham exit, despite making a blistering start to the season before slowly losing his place.

The forward, once called “fantastic”, recently sent Frank a message after rediscovering his magic touch for Wales.

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Brennan Johnson was at the heart of a 7-1 thrashing away from Spurs

Many Spurs players travelled away from N17 for international duties during the November break, and Johnson was one of them.

The right-winger played an important part for Wales in their World Cup qualification matches, who have now reached the play-offs for a chance to reach North America next year.

On Tuesday, Johnson was integral in Wales’ 7-1 battering of North Macedonia, with statistics that Frank simply cannot ignore.

Last year, ex-Spurs defender Michael Dawson was impressed with Johnson after he scored in Tottenham’s 3-1 home win against Brentford on 21 September.

Dawson said: “This will give him huge, huge confidence. It’s a fantastic strike from a tight angle.”

Everyone knows what Johnson is capable of when he’s at the top of his game, and with him coming off the back of a sizzling performance, Frank will be delighted.

Thomas Frank can start both Johnson and Mohammed Kudus vs Arsenal

The issues with Johnson’s recent lack of playing time for the Lilywhites can only come down to Mohammed Kudus’ brilliance.

However, we’ve seen Johnson play on the left flank before and impress. So there’s no reason why Frank can’t play both Kudus and the Welshman versus the Gooners.

Tottenham‘s attack has been poor, and Frank clearly needs to shake things up and make a bold decision.

It could catch Mikel Arteta off guard, as the Spurs boss needs to pull out all of the tricks hiding up his sleeve to get a win over Arsenal.