tottenhamhotspurnews.com

Tottenham are set to do something for the first time since 2014 when they face Arsenal this weekend.

Arsenal play host to Tottenham on Sunday afternoon in the first of two North London derbies this season.

Tottenham are the perceived underdogs for the clash at the Emirates, though their away form will spark optimism ahead of the game.

Under Thomas Frank, Spurs have won four of their five away games so far this season, with hopes of adding to that against their local rivals.

However, while the clash will promise to provide plenty of excitement, it will also see something happen for the first time in 11 years.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Spurs set to face Arsenal for the first time since 2014 without two key players

Tottenham are winless against Arsenal dating all the way back to 2022, when two goals from Harry Kane and an early second-half strike from Son Heung-min earned them a 3-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Those two were often the key to victory for Spurs, and Sunday’s clash at the Emirates will be the first North London derby without either of them on the pitch since 2014.

Kane is enjoying the form of his life at Bayern, while Son made the move to LAFC in the summer, where he has since scored 10 goals in 12 games.

In the 21 games he played against Arsenal, Kane scored 15 and assisted two, with Son scoring nine in his 22 appearances across all competitions.

Between them, the duo accounted for 27 per cent of Spurs’ goals against Arsenal, with 22 out of 82.

Randal Kolo Muani is likely to take Kane’s spot this weekend, with Brennan Johnson tasked with filling the boots of Son.

Thomas Frank has dismal Arsenal record to address

Frank‘s time at Brentford was a big success, and in his first game as a Premier League manager, he secured a victory against the Gunners.

However, the German is winless in his last eight, having lost six and drawn two.

Brentford suffered five defeats in a row against Arsenal between 2023 and 2025, before ending their losing streak in 2025 with a 1-1 away draw.

Spurs have the best away record in the Premier League this season, and that could be key to Frank’s ability to secure only his second ever win against the Gunners as a manager.

Serie A giants Roma have expressed their interest in signing Tottenham’s Mathys Tel this January transfer market.

Tottenham bought Tel permanently this summer after initially joining on loan from Bayern Munich in the last winter window.

Thomas Frank has got off to a mixed start at Spurs, but has shown faith in the Frenchman during his first months in charge of the Lilywhites.

Tel has shown signs of progression, but the rate he is developing will cause concerns at N17 due to the hefty £29.8million that Tottenham paid Bayern up front for his signature.

Now, Frank could be given a great opportunity to send Tel to Roma.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Mathys Tel has underperformed for Tottenham, but Roma want him

Frank has expressed his desire for Tottenham to be more creative from wide areas this campaign after criticism over Spurs’ attacking play.

The head coach has chopped and changed his starting line-up in the Premier League, handing Tel a mixed bag of starts and substitute appearances for Tottenham.

It’s fair to say that Tel hasn’t pulled up any trees so far this campaign.

According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma have made their stance on Tel clear – they “like” him.

He is reported to be “at the top” of Gian Piero Gasperini’s list to increase quality on Roma’s left flank, with the Italian side being admirers of the Tottenham winger’s technical abilities.

However, the Lilywhites are not interested in a permanent sale, with a loan deal looking the more realistic outcome.

Spurs are expecting movement in January, and letting Tel leave would be a sensible decision.

Tottenham will be overloaded in attack if they sign Antoine Semenyo

Tottenham want to bring Antoine Semenyo to the club in January, and are looking to make a statement to the rest of the Premier League.

But if they bring the Bournemouth ace, he will only be another number in the growing list of attacking options at N17.

Spurs already have Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and the returning Dejan Kulusevski in wide areas, and Semenyo’s potential arrival could leave them overloaded.

But Frank should have an easy decision in letting Tel go following his slow progression at Tottenham.

A loan deal could prove a masterstroke if the Frenchman could go away and come back next year as a refined player.

Luka Vuskovic brushes shoulders with Europe’s elite after incredible new reveal away from Tottenham

Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic has become one of the brightest prospects in European football after excelling on loan at Hamburg.

Vuskovic joined Hamburg on loan despite there being many calls for him to play a part in the senior team under Thomas Frank.

However, the move to Germany has paid off for all parties, with the 18-year-old featuring in eight out of 10 league matches for Hamburg this season.

He is developing into a generational talent, and his overwhelming success in Germany has him rated as the best centre-back in Europe’s top five leagues so far in 2025-26.

Luka Vuskovic named in WhoScored Team of the Season

Vuskovic signed for Tottenham in 2023, with an agreement in place that he would stay at Hadjuk Split until 2025.

MORE SPURS STORIES

However, it was decided that regular game time was best for development, and Hamburg swooped in to sign Vuskovic on a one-year loan deal.

The centre-back has completed 100 per cent of his dribbles and won 71 ground duels, the most of any player in the Bundesliga.

According to WhoScored, Vuskovic has the highest average match rating (7.38) out of all the centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, and he’s been named in their Team of the Season.

Vuskovic has exceeded expectations at Hamburg, and etched his name into club history after scoring their first goal in the Bundesliga in 2,688 days in the 2-1 win over Heidenheim on 20 September.

According to FotMob, he has achieved a pass accuracy of 85.7 per cent and a long ball accuracy of 55.6 per cent, showcasing his strengths in possession as well.

At just 18, he is taking Europe by storm, and Tottenham fans will be anticipating him making an impact on the squad next season.

The Croatian gem has adapted to German football brilliantly, and excitement is slowly building over his long-term future in N17.

How high is Luka Vuskovic’s ceiling?

Tottenham already have a host of promising centre-backs, with Kota Takai and Ashley Phillips also set to be in contention to fight for their place in the first team.

Of course, it would be a huge task to displace Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero from their starting positions, but Vuskovic is certainly someone who could provide stern competition.

Standing tall at 1.93 metres, the 18-year-old has certainly got the potential to be a starter for the Lilywhites in the coming years.

With the market for talented young centre-backs seemingly scarce at the moment, the deal to sign Vuskovic and slowly develop him at different clubs looks to be a masterstroke, and there is no reason to say that he can’t become one of the best defenders in the world.

Tottenham are keen to sign a “world-class” goalkeeper to compete with Guglielmo Vicario this winter transfer window.

Vicario conceded in the final moments during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw to Manchester United in the Premier League before the international break.

The moment left Spurs supporters furious, with many citing the Italian international’s inconsistency over the past couple of seasons.

A potential departure for Vicario from Tottenham has been on the table before, and it could soon become a reality.

Tottenham want to sign a top-notch keeper

Tottenham are actively pursuing a deal for a “world-class goalkeeper” to replace Vicario, according to the Daily Mail on 20 November.

MORE SPURS STORIES

The paper cites Emiliano Martinez as a potential option to replace Vicario. The Aston Villa star wanted a departure over the summer, but nothing materialised.

Meanwhile, Marc-Andre ter Stegen was linked with a move to Tottenham earlier this season.

This comes after it was widely reported that the Lilywhites are set to be one of their busiest teams this January.

Indeed, Tottenham are keen to boost Thomas Frank‘s squad as part of the Lewis family’s decision to prioritise Spurs’ sporting success.

Ivan Toney could be reunited with Frank, while Spurs are one of the clubs interested in Antonine Semenyo‘s reported £65million release clause.

While the extent of their movement remains to be seen, Tottenham fans will be expecting to welcome several new faces come January.

Guglielmo Vicario is the backbone of this Tottenham side

Tottenham fans wanted Antonin Kinsky to replace Vicario at the beginning of the season, but were quick to apologise to their number one keeper after Kinsky’s dreadful cameo in their 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United.

There’s a saying that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, and it sums up Vicario’s situation in North London perfectly.

Tottenham haven’t been the defensive fortress that most fans have been led to believe.

Meanwhile, Vicario has been one of the best-performing keepers in the Premier League:

Furthermore, the keeper has recorded 100 per cent successful runs out per game and has conceded around 0.9 goals per game, according to Sofascore.

His performances no doubt deserve more respect than some fans have afforded him.

Vicario has been the backbone of this Tottenham side, and unless his name is Thibaut Courtois, replacing one of the best keepers in the Premier League this season would be a mistake.

Tottenham make announcement as ‘impressive’ keeper signs new contract at Hotspur Way

Tottenham have announced that 18-year-old goalkeeper Dylan Thompson has signed his first professional contract with the club.

Spurs have several rising stars that Tottenham fans want to see succeed in North London.

Many have climbed through the ranks and are now out on loan, continuing their development plans.

Mikey Moore is among this group, signing for Rangers after lifting the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham.

After the success of their academy in recent years, the Lilywhites have been keen to keep the best of the best at Hotspur Way.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Dylan Thompson commits to Tottenham

Tottenham announced on 20 November that keeper Thompson has signed his first professional contract at Hotspur Way.

The 18-year-old is said to have produced several “impressive” performances for the Under-18s this season, having been part of the Under-17 Premier League Cup-winning squad last term.

This follows Spurs’ ongoing process of promoting a number of Under-16s to the U18s from next season.

Harry Hughes is the latest star set to commit to Tottenham for the foreseeable future.

The central midfielder, who has captained Northern Ireland U16’s, is currently out with a long-term injury.

He joins Solomon Olajide, who is also set to extend his stay at Tottenham.

The left-sided centre-back has already made his U18’s debut versus Birmingham, keeping a clean sheet.

Thompson is considered one of Spurs’ best and brightest youngsters, so Tottenham fans will be delighted with the news.

Thomas Frank should give Tottenham’s youngsters more opportunities

Most youngsters who sign their first professional contract with Spurs do so with the intention of breaking into the senior team.

Thomas Frank has given a couple of rising stars the chance to impress this season.

Luca Williams-Barnett debuted for Tottenham in their 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Dane Scarlett was given minutes and won a penalty in Spurs’ 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League back in October.

The Dane is a good rotational coach, but has been hesitant to dip into the academy further this season.

But given the Lilywhites’ mounting injuries and plenty of football left to play, Frank should look to integrate a couple more youngsters.

Tottenham fans to sweat as ‘longer-term’ Lucas Bergvall problem mooted amid ‘strange’ scenes

Tottenham fans should be concerned if Lucas Bergvall’s concussion injury continues.

Bergvall was substituted with a head injury during Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Chelsea earlier this month.

As per concussion protocol, the midfielder was then sidelined during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw to Manchester United before the international break.

However, Bergvall returned to Tottenham from the Sweden national team camp due to the injury in a turn of events which have spun fans.

Tottenham in trouble if Lucas Bergvall sidelined longer

Bergvall has been an important player for Thomas Frank this season.

MORE SPURS STORIES

While his season started slow, the Swedish international soon gained the Dane’s trust and began starting regularly for the North London club.

Bergvall has made nine appearances in the Premier League this season

However, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes his prolonged absence could be cause for concern for Spurs.

“You start thinking it might be a longer-term problem,” Wenham said.

“Obviously, with the concussion protocols, you have the seven days you miss. He missed the Man United game, and he missed the game for Sweden as well.

“So, it seems strange that if there was any issue whatsoever that he would have gone away with Sweden, but there’s probably some sort of protocol where your national team have to check on you before you can be sent back.

“And it seems like the issue was long-standing, but hopefully that’s worn off now, and fingers crossed he’s available to make the squad on Sunday.”

Lucas Bergvall will be a huge miss against Arsenal

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

Spurs are already second favourites to win against Arsenal, and Bergvall’s absence would decrease their odds further.

Other than the defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, Spurs have not lost a game Bergvall has started.

The 19-year-old brings a level of stability to Tottenham’s midfield that the others cannot replicate in his absence.

As a result, the Lilywhites could have a tough time against their rivals in his absence.

Micah Richards still has Tottenham star Djed Spence at the top of his list for England.

Spence is hoping to play for England at the 2026 World Cup and was recently away with his nation for international duties.

The versatile defender was caught ignoring Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank after the Lilywhites lost 1-0 to Chelsea earlier in November.

Thomas Tuchel has expressed his disappointment in Spence for the situation, with the Tottenham star possibly having to get back into the England good books once again.

However, Richards does not doubt Spence‘s involvement at the World Cup, and even swatted away suggestions for an Arsenal man instead.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Micah Richards snubs Myles Lewis-Skelly in favour of Djed Spence for England spot

Spence has been a revelation under Frank at Spurs, and has seen most success at left-back due to Pedro Porro’s great form.

The 25-year-old defender has started nine times in the Premier League this season, helping Tottenham to fifth in the table.

Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast on Wednesday, Richards was in conversation with Gary Lineker and was adamant on Spence being England’s first-choice left-back over Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Richards said: “You know what? I’d play Djed Spence, that’s who I would play.”

Lineker then butted in: “Ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly?”

“But he [Spence] plays there consistently and is very good defensively and offensively from the left,” the former Man City star ended it with.

Spence now has a massive few months left in the Premier League season to further prove to Tuchel that he is worthy of an England spot.

Spence has time to prove his worth to Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel said that he “didn’t like” seeing Spence walking past Frank and pointed to how England players need to show more respect in the public eye, even when they aren’t representing their country.

Frank has accepted an apology from Spence and Spurs team-mate Micky van de Ven for the incident, with all seeming to be good at N17 once again.

Tottenham now play Arsenal on Sunday in what is tipped to be a fierce North London derby, with Spence needing to put on a good performance.

There isn’t another international break until March now, which leaves plenty of time for Spence to show Tuchel what he needs to bring to North America.

Destiny Udogie faces brutal Tottenham test, he will be path to victory vs Arsenal

Destiny Udogie is set to face up against Bukayo Saka on Sunday as Tottenham visit Arsenal for the North London derby.

Thomas Frank is expected to start Udogie amid several changes against Arsenal, after the Italy international made a great impression off the bench against Manchester United.

Tottenham drew 2-2 with Manchester United before the international break, with Matthijs de Ligt scoring late on to cancel out Richarlison‘s goal.

It was ultimately a disappointing day for Frank‘s side, who had looked to have finally overturned a dismal run of form at home in the Premier League.

Arsenal are the favourites to beat Tottenham at the Emirates on 23 November, despite the Lilywhites’ strong away form this season.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Bukayo Saka is a constant threat vs Tottenham

The North London derby has always seemed to have one prominent player who rises to the occasion every single time.

It was Thierry Henry for many years, before Harry Kane took over the mantle and made Arsenal his favourite opposition.

Given Arsenal’s dominance in the North London derby in recent years, that title has now fallen to Saka.

The winger has made 10 appearances against Tottenham since breaking into the Arsenal team, scoring three goals and providing four assists in his last seven North London derbies.

Saka has started this season in strong form, too, and will be tasked with driving the Gunners forward on Sunday amid injuries to several attackers.

Destiny Udogie must stop Saka

In truth, it will not be just down to Udogie to stop Saka. The forward will likely be double, if not triple-marked at times, although it will be the one-versus-one situations which prove key.

The England international has won 51.9 per cent of his duels this season, and has completed 50 per cent of his dribbles for a total of 17.

He will run at Udogie, but the defender’s job will be made more difficult by the two-footedness of his opposition.

Saka can score on either foot, but certainly does favour his left. The Tottenham defender has spent much of his time this season on the bench, but he will now have to step up and stop Saka getting on that left.

Udogie has been dribbled past just three times in the Premier League this season and has won 52.6 per cent of his duels, which does provide some confidence.

And when the two met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, Saka was kept quiet for much of the game until he provided the corner for Gabriel’s goal.

Given Arsenal’s current injuries, it is likely that Mikel Arteta‘s team will be relying on the impact of their number seven. It will be a match-up that may well prove decisive, and Udogie must ensure he wins it.

Simon Jordan believes that Jose Mourinho’s infamous Tottenham sacking came after players went to Daniel Levy with their issues.

The Portuguese manager was suddenly removed in April 2021 less than a week before Spurs faced Man City in the League Cup final.

They would lose 1-0 under caretaker Ryan Mason, and Mourinho would subsequently claim that Tottenham is the only one of his former clubs he doesn’t have a deep feeling for as a result.

Levy left his role running Tottenham earlier this year, and personal acquaintance Jordan has now indicated his understanding that it was Spurs players expressing their displeasure with The Special One to the former chairman at the time that sparked the departure.

Tottenham players went to Daniel Levy over Jose Mourinho

Prior to Ange Postecoglou‘s triumph in the Europa League last term the League Cup loss had gone down as one of the best missed chances to end the trophy drought in recent years, and Mourinho’s record in finals made the sacking that much more of a shock.

MORE SPURS STORIES

During a discussion live on talkSPORT about the progress of North London rivals Spurs and Arsenal over the past five years Jim White wanted to know if Jordan had managed to get to the bottom of the exit.

White asked: “Actually, along the way, Simon, did you ever get the truth as to why Daniel and Tottenham parted company with Mourinho days before Tottenham played in a League Cup final?”

“Well, I got an understanding of the fact that the players didn’t want to play for Mourinho,” Jordan answered. “There was a significant lobby of players that pretty much marched up to the owner’s door, or the chairman’s door, to tell [him] they didn’t want to play for Mourinho.

“Now, how much of that is misrepresentation or misclassification or slight exaggeration I don’t really know, but to take him out on the eve of a final was something you wouldn’t have expected. But Mourinho will evoke reactions in people.”

Thomas Frank has to break hiring and firing cycle

That Tottenham have cycled through so many managers in recent years is a measure of how they have continually been searching for the formula to get over the hump.

It won’t be lost on many Spurs fans that even in finally landing a major European trophy they hadn’t truly found the answer, as Tottenham still sacked Postecoglou after finishing 17th in the Premier League.

Some believe replacing the Australian with Thomas Frank as Tottenham boss was a mistake, and the Dane still has a long way to go to prove he is the man for the long term.

Levy’s exit has fundamentally changed how the club is set to be run moving forward, and all the facilities are in place to be the best, but question marks remain over the recruitment following last summer’s window as the team continues to perform inconsistently.

‘If I could pick one Arsenal player to be unavailable vs Tottenham, it’d be him’

Tottenham have been told that Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury will be a “phenomenal boost” against Arsenal.

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

Arsenal are set to be without Gabriel, who suffered a thigh injury during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal during the November international break.

While Tottenham are not the favourites to win against Arsenal, Gabriel’s injury may have just boosted their chances against Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League clash.

Arsenal will miss Gabriel Magalhaes against Tottenham

Gabriel has faced Tottenham 10 times as an Arsenal player and has won seven of those. The two rivals drew once, and the Gunners lost the other two games.

MORE SPURS STORIES

While the length of his injury is unknown, there are fears he could be sidelined for several weeks.

The defender nearly always shows up for his team, and as a result, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes his absence could be a huge advantage for Spurs.

“If he is missing, it’s a phenomenal boost because he got the Man of the Match in the last three games against us,” Wenham said.

“He scores every time with the same headed goal, and does that annoying face. If I could pick one Arsenal player to be unavailable, it’d probably be him. I hate to say it, but he’s phenomenal against us every game, and he gets what the derby means.

“He just delivers when it matters for them. For me personally, if I could pick someone to be unavailable, it would probably be him for this particular game.”

Tottenham have their own Gabriel Magalhaes

Micky van de Ven became Spurs’ top scorer in all competitions during their 3-0 win over Everton in the Premier League last month.

The defender has been a secret weapon for the Lilywhites this season and could net again against their rivals.

Thus, if Van de Ven continues his stellar goalscoring form for Tottenham, Frank’s side could surprise several spectators on Sunday.