Sports Mole

Tottenham and their French attack face Paris Saint-Germainthis Wednesday in the Champions League. However, the Frenchies are struggling this season.

It is rather rare to highlight, but PSG and Tottenham could both field an all-French attack that would be competitive in a fictional world. Indeed, we could very well imagine Paris with a Barcola-Dembele-Doue trio facing a London attack formed by Mathys Tel, Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert.

Luis Enrique could start all three Frenchmen this Wednesday (9pm) for this fifth Champions League matchday, if Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue were present and at 100 percent. However, Tottenham would certainly not trust this French attack for such an encounter. Indeed, the Spurs Frenchies are not in excellent form on the London side.

Mathys Tel not registered in Champions League

Thomas Frank firstly decided not to register Mathys Tel in the Champions League squad. And the France Under-21 international is not making his manager regret this choice as he is struggling at the start of this season. He has thus played 10 encounters between the Premier League and the EFL Cup, including four as a starter, for only two goals scored. The 20-year-old player is struggling to deliver at Tottenham, whilst he was very impressive as a super-sub at Bayern Munich. At the start of this season, he has not been able to take advantage of Dominic Solanke's absence to establish himself, just like Randal Kolo Muani.

In the Champions League, the Spurs manager had to make a difficult decision due to the problems the club encountered in promoting their young players, and Tel only managed to make a strong impression when he got his chance in the Premier League, scoring a goal against Leeds before producing a superb overhead kick against Manchester United. Tel does not yet seem to have found his best position within the Spurs team, playing both on the wings and as a centre-forward, but the player's age of 20 must be taken into account.

Randal Kolo Muani still searching for his first Tottenham goal

The striker on loan from PSG, who was hampered by a muscle contusion from late September to early November, is registered in the Champions League. However, he is also overtaken by Richarlison at striker. In nine matches played, he has still not found the back of the net for now.

It is therefore logical that Thomas Frank prefers the Brazilian - five goals, two assists in 19 matches - to the France international, who still does not seem to have found his feet in London. The former Nantes player must still regret the failure of his transfer to Juventus, which also made Nasser Al-Khelaifi lose his temper this summer.

It is difficult to properly assess Kolo Muani's start at Spurs so far. He arrived without having participated in pre-season and, whilst Richarlison was in great form, he suffered a thigh injury, then a painful jaw fracture. All of this has contributed to the PSG loanee playing just 345 minutes for his new club so far, including only four starts. Still waiting for his first Spurs goal and with just one assist to his name, Kolo Muani has fallen victim to Spurs' well-known problems building play from the back and creating chances, and he often finds himself isolated in attack. He needs a run of games, but with Dominic Solanke's return from injury, that seems unlikely.

Wilson Odobert, the most integrated Frenchman at Spurs

Ultimately, it is the least well-known French striker of the three who is faring best, namely Wilson Odobert. The left winger indeed has more playing time than his compatriots with 15 encounters played since the start of the campaign, including eight starts, for one goal and two assists.

A surprise transfer last summer, it is easy to forget that Wilson Odobert is still only 20 and that his first season at Spurs has also been disrupted by physical problems. The former Burnley player was only a substitute at the start of the season, but he showed flashes of his potential before the international break, scoring against Copenhagen before his shot against Manchester United led to a Richarlison assist. Odobert's progress earned him a starting spot against Arsenal ahead of Xavi Simons, but he and his teammates underperformed on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium (4-1 defeat). Nevertheless, the Frenchman is slowly but surely starting to generate excitement.

The 20-year-old player, who was trained at PSG, should thus have playing time this Wednesday evening on the Parc des Princes pitch, just like Randal Kolo Muani, but likely as a super-sub. And this, whilst Mathys Tel will be absent.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning to sign players in two positions in the January transfer window.

Spurs have dropped to ninth in the Premier League, having picked up just one win in their last five games.

Thomas Frank's side lost 4-1 against Arsenal in the north London derby in their previous match, and Spurs fans are a bit frustrated with their performances this season.

Tottenham have won just one home game this season, and Frank probably feels he needs more quality players in the squad to compete in the league.

Spurs transfer latest - big January addition?

According to a report from Football Insider, Spurs are making plans to sign a winger and a centre-forward in the January transfer window.

Spurs have major issues in their forward department this summer, despite signing attacking midfielders, Xavi Simmons and Mohammed Kudus.

The absence of Dominic Solanke has hurt them badly, while Richarlison has not been able to score enough.

Solanke has recently admitted that he does not know when he can return, while Randal Kolo Muani is also facing a spell on the sidelines.

Who could they target in January?

In recent weeks, Spurs have been linked with a move for AFC Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has been in cracking form for the Cherries.

Bournemouth could be forced to accept a bid in the region of £65m for Semenyo, but Spurs could face serious competition from Premier League rivals, Liverpool.

Adding a new centre-forward is another pressing issue, but they are most unlikely to lure Harry Kane, who looks confident to stay at Bayern for many more years.

Frank could be given funds to sign players of his choice in January, but his first target at the moment will be to get his team back to winning ways.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to commence contract extension talks with defender Luka Vuskovic.

The 18-year-old is currently spending the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga.

Vuskovic has impressed massively so far in the German top flight, starting nine matches and even finding the net against Heidenheim in September.

The centre-back caught the eye during pre-season for Spurs, scoring an excellent goal against Reading in a friendly fixture.

Vuskovic has also enjoyed a breakthrough calendar year on the international scene, earning two caps for Croatia on the senior stage.

Tottenham to tie down Vuskovic even further?

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are in the mood to act decisively in order to secure the long-term services of Vuskovic.

The report claims that Spurs are preparing to open talks with the teenager over a new contract in the near future.

It is understood that the Lilywhites want to extend Vuskovic's deal past the summer of 2030, whilst also rewarding the defender with a pay rise.

Such bold intentions from the Europa League holders come following news of Borussia Dortmund's supposed interest in the prodigy.

Before securing a switch to the North London club in June, it is stated that Vuskovic had attracted admiring glances from Bayern Munich.

Spurs star of the future?

Turning 19 at the end of February, Vuskovic is already showing frightening potential in the top flight of Germany.

There is no doubt that the Croatian could be a star of the future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, given his recent performances for Hamburg.

It is believed that the newly-promoted Bundesliga side want to retain the talents of Vuskovic past the conclusion of this term, although they are likely to fail in that pursuit.

Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth are reportedly interested in signing Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin during the upcoming January transfer window.

The 23-year-old has not featured in a competitive sense for the Black Cats since the playoff final success over Sheffield United at Wembley on May 24, when he managed to full 90 minutes.

Cirkin has spent large chunk of 2025 battling with troublesome knee and wrist injuries, however the left-back is nearing a long-awaited return to first-team action.

The defender played 45 minutes for Sunderland Under-21s in Premier League 2 against Ipswich Town Under-21s on November 7, with head coach Regis Le Bris recently stating that the player could return to top-flight squads in a few weeks.

Since signing at the Stadium of Light during the summer transfer window of 2021, Cirkin has featured in 116 matches for high-flying Sunderland, scoring eight goals.

Tottenham, Bournemouth want Sunderland’s Cirkin in January?

According to SportsBoom, Cirkin could be waving goodbye to the North-East giants after four years in the very near future.

The report claims that Sunderland are willing to listen to offers for the 23-year-old if suitable bids arrive during the January transfer window.

It is understood that Europa League holders Tottenham are considering a swoop for Cirkin, who was once part of the academy setup at the North London club.

As well as Spurs, it is believed that Europe-chasing Bournemouth have made a ‘tentative approach’ for the left-back, who is yet to feature in a Premier League match.

Despite strong interest from elsewhere in the division, it is stated that Cirkin could yet earn a contract extension at Sunderland, given he returns to prominence in the first team following his injury setback.

Cirkin’s Sunderland competition

Playing 39 Championship matches for Sunderland last season on the way to promotion, Cirkin was undoubtedly the first-choice option in his position.

However, with the Black Cats splashing out over £160m on new talent during the summer, the 23-year-old will return to increased competition in the left-back role.

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Xavi Simons could return to the starting lineup against former club Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's Champions League showdown at the Parc des Princes.

The Dutchman was demoted to the bench for Sunday's Premier League North London derby with Arsenal, as Thomas Frank opted to beef up his defence with the inclusion of Kevin Danso.

That decision backfired horribly as Spurs slumped to a 4-1 loss, as Simons is now likely to be a straight swap for Danso in the starting XI after Frank made that change at half time at the Emirates.

Simons's inclusion is likely to be one of a few alterations on Tottenham's end, as regular right-back Pedro Porro will surely displace Djed Spence in the backline too.

Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall are both alternatives to Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha in the engine room as well, and the former - who has battled back from a knock - could take the Uruguayan's spot in the centre.

Richarlison is in no danger of losing his place in the starting XI after his wonder goal at the Emirates, but the Brazilian could be shifted out to the left-hand side, allowing Randal Kolo Muani to lead the line against his parent club.

Brennan Johnson will miss out through suspension, while James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Kota Takai (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Dominic Solanke (ankle), Yves Bissouma (ankle) and Mathys Tel (ineligible) are also absent.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani

> Click here to see how PSG could line up for this game

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European champion meets European champion at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening, when Paris Saint-Germain welcome Tottenham Hotspur to their illustrious home in the Champions League league phase.

The contest is a repeat of this year's UEFA Super Cup, which the Ligue 1 giants won on penalties, but travelling fans may be fearing a more comprehensive defeat this time around.

Match preview

PSG suffered the first dent in their Champions League title defence just three weeks ago, when the winning machine of Bayern Munich left the French capital with a 2-1 victory under their belts, despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.

Luis Diaz bagged a double before being sent off for a crunching challenge on Achraf Hakimi - which the Moroccan still has not fully recovered from - but PSG could not capitalise on their numerical advantage, only managing to cut the deficit in half through Joao Neves.

Despite no longer boasting a perfect record in this season's competition, PSG enter matchweek five still comfortably on course for automatic last-16 qualification, sitting fifth in the 36-team table and within touching distance of Bayern, Arsenal and Inter Milan.

Les Parisiens have also never suffered back-to-back Champions League home defeats in their history, and Luis Enrique's men have responded to their Bayern beating with successive Ligue 1 successes, although their 3-2 win over Lyon was shrouded in refereeing controversy.

However, there was nothing contentious about Les Parisiens' 3-0 triumph over Le Havre on Saturday - a result that kept them two points clear of Marseille and Lens at the top of the Ligue 1 table - but the reigning European champions are not quite the same force that obliterated Inter in the 2024-25 UCL final.

PSG's loss of perennial dominance may not offer much comfort to Tottenham supporters, who filtered out of the Emirates Stadium en masse during the final 20 minutes of Sunday's North London derby, when an awesome Arsenal outwitted and outclassed their bitter rivals.

The script was written for Eberechi Eze to shine, but even he could hardly believe his historic hat-trick - the first-ever in a Premier League North London derby - against the team that chased him for much of the summer transfer window, as Spurs slumped to their third loss from their last five games.

Fingers were immediately pointed at Thomas Frank in the wake of that 4-1 trouncing, as the Dane's defence-heavy 5-2-3 setup was carved open at will by Arsenal, and it will be utterly fascinating to see what system he opts for in the French capital.

Unlike their more esteemed hosts, however, Spurs' unbeaten Champions League record remains intact after two wins and two draws from their opening four games this season, and the Lilywhites have also kept clean sheets in five of their last seven European matches at any level.

Both of Tottenham's UCL away matches this season have been drawn, though, and Frank's men were also bested by Enrique's side from 12 yards in the summer's UEFA Super Cup, falling to a 4-3 shootout loss after a gripping 2-2 stalemate in Udine.

Paris Saint-Germain Champions League form:

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Champions League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Diaz's red card-worthy tackle on Hakimi has rendered the Moroccan right-back unavailable ever since, and the 2025 African Footballer of the Year is not expected back from that ankle injury for another few weeks.

Les Parisiens are also managing without two attacking heroes in Desire Doue (hamstring) and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele (calf), but Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are both fit and raring to go after being restricted to substitute outings on Saturday.

Enrique is also expected to recall midfield maestro Fabian Ruiz and integral defender Willian Pacho to the first XI, which should feature Warren Zaire-Emery as an auxiliary right-back in Hakimi's absence.

As for the visitors, Frank's attack will also be depleted thanks to the absence of Brennan Johnson, who is suspended on account of his red card in the 4-0 win over Copenhagen.

The Wales international - who became the first British player to score and be sent off in the same UCL game - joins James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Kota Takai (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Dominic Solanke (ankle), Yves Bissouma (ankle) and Mathys Tel (ineligible) on the sidelines this week, but veteran defender Ben Davies might be back from a thigh problem.

Frank sacrificed ex-PSG starlet Xavi Simons for an extra defender in Kevin Danso at the weekend, but after that formula failed miserably, the visiting manager could now revert to a more familiar system with the Dutchman pulling the strings.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Lee, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

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After trying to frustrate Arsenal to no avail at the weekend, Tottenham may feel that going for broke is their best chance of success on Wednesday, especially against a PSG side missing three cornerstones of their starting XI.

However, Spurs have struggled to build out from the back all season long, and even a Dembele, Doue and Hakimi-less PSG should cruise to victory on their own turf.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Crossing the Channel with their tails tucked between their legs, Tottenham Hotspur square up to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's high-profile league-phase clash.

Thomas Frank's men were outfought, outclassed and outgunned against rivals Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, suffering a 4-1 Emirates embarrassment as Eberechi Eze scored the first-ever Premier League hat-trick in the North London derby.

The Lilywhites are yet to lose in this season's UCL, though, taking eight points from their first 12 on offer to sit 10th in the league-phase table, but they were edged out by PSG on penalties in this year's UEFA Super Cup.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Tottenham's injury and suspension issues ahead of their showdown with Les Parisiens, who have claimed nine points from their opening four Champions League fixtures this term.

James Maddison

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â ACL

Possible return date:Â Unknown

James Maddison is slowly working his way back from the summer's devastating cruciate ligament injury, but it would be a surprise to see the number 10 play a single minute of competitive football this season.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status:Â Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date:Â Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski has been sidelined for six months with the knee problem he suffered towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign - one that has proven extremely tricky to overcome - and there is still no knowing when he might be back in contention.

Dominic Solanke

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Ankle

Possible return date:Â December 2 (vs. Newcastle United)

Dominic Solanke is still on the mend from a recent ankle operation and is not expected to be ready to face PSG, but the striker could make his first-team return within a couple of weeks.

Ben Davies

Status:Â Minor doubt

Type of injury:Â Thigh

Possible return date:Â November 26 (vs. PSG)

Ben Davies did not make the matchday squad for the North London derby as he continues his recuperation from a thigh problem, but he is back in team training and might be in with a chance of a comeback in Paris.

Radu Dragusin

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Knee

Possible return date:Â November 29 (vs. Fulham)

Radu Dragusin is in full training and has played behind closed doors for Spurs' Under-21s as he enters the final stages of his ACL recovery, but he will not be involved on Wednesday on account of being left out of Tottenham's league-phase squad.

Yves Bissouma

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Ankle

Possible return date:Â Unknown

Likewise, Yves Bissouma would not be featuring in midweek anyway due to ineligibility, but the Mali international remains sidelined with an ankle injury regardless.

Kota Takai

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Thigh

Possible return date:Â November 29 (vs. Fulham)

Kota Takai is finally in team training following a combination of foot and thigh injuries, but the summer signing also cannot face PSG due to not being selected for Frank's squad.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

Brennan Johnson

Return date:Â November 29 (vs. Fulham)

Brennan Johnson took the walk of shame in Spurs' last Champions League clash with Copenhagen - becoming the first-ever British player to score and be sent off in the same match in the competition - and the Wales international will serve a one-game ban this week.

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Tottenham Hotspur record the lowest expected goals figure (0.07 xG) by any team in the Premier League this season when they lost 4-1 against Arsenal on Sunday.

The Emirates was the staging ground for the first North London derby, and Thomas Frank's Spurs side were humiliated by their London rivals.

Supporters were left frustrated by Tottenham's lack of attacking quality, as while they managed to get on the scoresheet, Richarlison's goal came about after an error from Martin Zubimendi on the ball.

Tottenham failed to produce a single shot inside the penalty area, with all three of the efforts coming from distance.

Spurs' xG of 0.07 was the lowest total any team in the top flight have managed this term, and the second lowest total also belongs's to Frank's side after they produced just 0.12 xG against Chelsea on November 1.

Were Arsenal too strong or were Tottenham Hotspur too weak?

Losing against Arsenal will be painful, but a loss against arguably the best team in the world should not be seen as a disastrous result in isolation.

There is an argument that the outcome of Sunday's game would not have changed had Frank changed his approach, but many supporters feel that the Dane was far too conservative with his team selection.

Spurs lined up with a back three that often resembled a 5-2-3, and the likes of Xavi Simons, Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson started on the bench.

The fact that Chelsea also managed to restrict Tottenham to just three shots suggests that there is a fundamental issue with Frank's approach, so while Arsenal were excellent on Sunday, the Lilywhites contributed significantly to their own downfall.

Will Thomas Frank's style cost Tottenham Hotspur Champions League?

The defeat at the Emirates has not ruled the team out of the race for the Champions League given the club are only four points from third-placed Manchester City, though that gap could grow considerably if Frank continues to be as stubborn.

Tottenham have drawn three, lost three and won two of their last eight Premier League games, and if their form continues, then they will likely have to overturn a significant points gap to finish in the top four.

Frank's defensive style was used to great effect at Brentford, but the Bees were able to rely on counter-attacks from deep as they were more often than not deprived of possession, whereas Spurs are frequently given the ball by their opponents.

When Tottenham come up against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, they may find more success if they look to get more of their attacking stars on the pitch, even at the risk of losing some defensive solidity.

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Tottenham Hotspur could not win today.

Had Thomas Frank opted for a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 lineup in the North London derby, and Arsenal run riot at the Emirates, the Dane would have been lambasted by all corners for being naive. Instead, the finger was pointed at him for a conservative setup, which - in fairness - did not appear to be the worst tactic.

Arsenal did not only lose their set-piece threat with no Gabriel Magalhaes, but also a critical component of their defensive structure in dead-ball situations, which their North London rivals have also been known to excel at this season.

And, this was a Spurs side who arrived at the Emirates with the best Premier League away record so far this season. Sitting deep, playing on the counter and hoping to dominate set-pieces were justifiable moves against a Gunners side renowned for a perceived lack of open-play creativity.

However, if Tottenham were trying to operate in a deep block, the least they could have done was pick up Arsenal's chief creative threat. They did not, and he created North London derby history in another Premier League title statement for Mikel Arteta's men.

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Eberechi Eze sends Martin Odegaard huge selection warning

Were it not for one phone call from Eberechi Eze to Mikel Arteta on a summer's evening, there would have been no euphoric Emirates introduction for the former Crystal Palace sensation.

The majority of the Emirates crowd would have been against him today. They would have jeered and cheered every poor touch, misplaced pass and wayward shot. Alternatively, they would have wondered what could have been had he painted North London lilywhite on Sunday evening.

But a sleeping Eze dreamed of devastating Arsenal's bitter-most rivals on a day like today.Â

The 27-year-old's Gunners career may not have got off to the explosive start some had hoped or expected - a consequence of him finding his perfect position and Arsenal facing the deepest of deep defences - but he only needs a yard of space to work his clinical magic.

Each of Eze's three goals on Sunday - when he became the first player to ever score a North London derby hat-trick - came as a consequence of Tottenham failing to get men around him, most notably Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, both of whom were taking out by one nifty jink for his first goal.

The two supposed holding midfielders were nowhere to be seen when Eze curled in his sumptuous second and third of the evening too, and not for the first time in a red and white shirt, he looked in disbelief at what had just transpired at an energised Emirates.

The 27-year-old produced one of the best - if not the best - individual Premier League performance of the season just when Martin Odegaard is about to return from a knee injury, and the consensus was that the captain would immediately return to the XI when fully fit.

As skipper, Odegaard's starting place should not come under any threat, but with Eze and fellow scorer Leandro Trossard in the form they are currently in, it is difficult to make a case for either to be dropped from the first XI.

Of course, rotation and fatigue must come into play during the unforgiving winter period, but if Eze kicks on from here and Odegaard cannot recapture his 2022-23 and 2023-24 form, Mikel Arteta's captain is far from a starting lineup shoo-in.

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Gunners are champions in waiting after Spurs slaughter

The headlines, the match ball and the player of the match trophy belonged to the beaming hat-trick hero, but do not gloss over Arsenal's performance as a collective - it is not outlandish to suggest that they were close to perfect.

Had it not been for one Martin Zubimendi mistake and one phenomenal Richarlison strike - Kenny McLean eat your heart out - we may be sat here right now talking about a perfect Arsenal performance, one that ought to have Manchester City and Liverpool quaking in their boots.

Tottenham's problems building out from the back are well-documented, but Arsenal nevertheless restricted their foes to a paltry 0.07 Expected Goals, while firing 17 shots of their own and having 27 touches in the opposition box.

The naysayers repeatedly stressed that Arsenal's glut of goals from set-pieces were not sustainable. So Arsenal lost their chief set-piece threat and started scoring for fun from open play. Against a Tottenham side that started with no fewer than eight defensively-minded players.

Barring Sunderland, Liverpool and Man City, Arsenal's dominance of the division makes it easy to forget the players who were missing this afternoon. No Gabriel, no Odegaard, no Kai Havertz, no Gabriel Jesus, no Viktor Gyokeres, but no shortage of solutions.

Piero Hincapie seamlessly slotted into the backline, Trossard is playing some of his best football for a couple of years, and any striker would have been delighted to receive Mikel Merino's delicate chipped pass for the Belgian's opener tonight.

The Gunners of old may have crumbled after Richarlison's wonder strike. The Gunners of old may have wilted under the pressure of trying to capitalise on Man City and Liverpool's slip-ups.

The Arsenal of now are a new breed. A merciless cohesive unit made up of magnificent individuals. And at this rate, North London will not be the only thing that is red come May - the ribbons on the Premier League trophy will be too.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palinha insisted that he is enjoying life at the club amid question marks about his future.

Spurs are set to play Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League at the Emirates, and the result could be key for their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Midfielder Palinha has been selected to start by Thomas Frank against the Gunners, though there are some concerns about his fit in the team given he has at times struggled to build out from the back when under pressure.

The Portuguese international is on loan from Bayern Munich, and the Londoners have the option of purchasing him for £27m, but it remains to be seen whether the club will make his switch permanent.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the game, Palinha spoke positively about Tottenham, but claimed that the decision is out of his hands, saying: "They should ask the owner [about my future], or Fabio [Paratici], or Johan [Lange], not myself! Of course, this is like a marriage. Both parts need to want [it].

"But I am really glad here. I feel the support from the supporters as well. When you feel this, for me it is really special. We have until the end of the season. We have a lot of things to happen. You know how it is in football. I just want to enjoy the time that I am here. Let’s see what is going to happen."

The 30-year-old would not represent a long-term investment, but his experience in the Premier League may be valuable if he was used as a squad player.

What type of midfielder does Thomas Frank need?

Tottenham have improved defensively this season under Frank, but they have struggled to impact play in the final third, with the club producing just one shot on target against Chelsea when they lost 1-0 on November 1.

Creative talent Xavi Simons has failed to showcase their talent, though some of the Dutchman's issues may be related to the team's deeper midfielders, who have found it difficult to progress the ball.

Palhinha is at his best when playing in a more defensive system, but the 30-year-old has been asked to be more involved in build-up this campaign than he was when he played for Fulham under Marco Silva.

If Frank is to get more from his attacking players, he will have to find ways of getting possession to his forwards, and he may have to look for additions in the transfer window such as Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

Champions League race: Can Tottenham secure top four with the current squad?

While Spurs have been far from perfect this season given they are 11th with 18 points, most of their Champions League rivals have also been inconsistent this season.

Liverpool have lost six of their last seven Premier League games, Newcastle United are currently 14th, while just four points separate them from third-placed Manchester City.

While Tottenham are likely to suffer more disappointing results between now and the end of the season, losses and draws may not prove fatal for their hopes of top four.