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Thomas Frank can make himself an instant hit by derailing Arsenal's title challenge, but make no mistake, whatever Sunday's result, there's a big gap between the North London rivals on the field

There are only four miles and four places between Arsenal and Tottenham going into the North London derby weekend. And yet there remains a big gap between the two bitter rivals.

Arsenal are chasing their first title since 2004 and Tottenham’s latest manager, Thomas Frank, is trying to build a squad to regain ground. That, in recent times at least, has been a familiar story. Tottenham, in fairness, had a run of six years of finishing above Arsenal from 2016/17 to 2021/22.

Mauricio Pochettino built a team which reached the Champions League final, they moved into arguably the best stadium in Europe and gave themselves a fabulous platform for success. They finally won their first trophy since 2008 - the Europa League in May - and yet the fanbase are not quite sure yet on Frank. However, he could make himself very popular if beats Arsenal on Sunday.

The issue for Spurs is keeping up with Arsenal. It’s a plot line that goes back many years. Tottenham were the glory boys of the 1960s, winning the Double in 1960/61. But since Arsenal won the title - before going on to win the Double - with Ray Kennedy’s goal at White Hart Lane in 1971, they have largely ruled the roost.

They finished above Spurs for 22 years running from 1995 to 2017 and, apart from winning a UEFA Cup in 1984 and flirting with success under David Pleat, they have trailed in their Arsenal’s wake.

George Graham was a huge success at Highbury. Arsene Wenger established himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest managers. His team of Invincibles clinched the title at White Hart Lane in 2004.

Now Mikel Arteta is threatening to guide Arsenal into a new period of dominance. Does local rivalry matter? Of course it does. Arsenal have made better managerial appointments, signed better players and won more trophies.

Tottenham have tried to redress the balance with a world class stadium which is better, brings in more cash and gives them huge potential. But former chairman Daniel Levy failed to grasp the opportunity or build a team worthy of the ground.

And this, more than anything else, will be Tottenham’s driving force on Sunday. A chance to upset the odds, give the neighbours a bloody nose and silence those cocksure loudmouths on social media.

That is why the derby still matters to the fans as much as it ever did even if Arsenal legend Lee Dixon believes it is a long way from his playing days.

Dixon, speaking via OLBG, said: “I was educated by Paul Davis and Dave Rocastle telling me what it meant. They scared the life out of me! It still meant a lot to me, but even more so to them. So I think over the years that derby in general has kind of lessened, but also, it does make a difference.

“I think Tottenham are still playing catch up as far as the team is concerned, the squad and regardless of the result at the weekend, you know, the bragging rights will be with the team that wins it on the day. But ultimately Tottenham have got an amazing stadium and you'd say arguably that's a better stadium than Arsenal’s because it's more modern, it's an incredible arena.

“They've got a manager now that I believe is a really, really good coach and he was perfect to go in there. So they're showing signs.”

Victory for Spurs on Sunday would be the biggest sign of all. But if Arsenal win then the gap will be bigger than ever.

Tottenham Hotspur are building up for a big return to the Premier League with a north London derby on the horizon at the Emirates Stadium

Tottenham are gearing up for a major north London derby this weekend as they visit Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Thomas Frank's side have a serious run of fixtures coming up, with the Gunners, Paris Saint-Germain and Fulham all on the horizon.

Spurs are hoping to keep their unbeaten away record intact with a visit to the Emirates Stadium. However, with zero wins in the last six north London derbies, the Lilywhites have a big task ahead.

Injuries continue to plague Frank's side recently with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still out long-term. However, Mohammed Kudus is returning and Randal Kolo Muani has even been spotted training with a mask to protect his jaw injury, putting him in contention for Sunday's match.

Here, Mirror Football has all the latest coming out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of this weekend's huge fixture.

£65million transfer target found

Tottenham are one of many clubs interested in Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo. The Athletic reports Spurs had an eye on the Ghana international in the summer and will ramp up the interest in the next transfer window.

Semenyo's release clause is said to be £65m and can be activated during January. Other Premier League clubs interested include Manchester City and Liverpool.

The striker's international team-mate Kudus signed for the Lilywhites in the summer and could be a factor in convincing the Bournemouth star to make the switch. The 25-year-old has been in red-hot form this season, grabbing six goals and three assists in 11 Premier League appearances so far.

Mega deal announced

Tottenham have announced Elithair will become their official hair treatment partner. The company, which is the largest hair transplant clinic in the world, shared its collaboration with Spurs on Friday, and its branding will feature throughout the club's stadium during home fixtures.

Spurs' chief revenue officer Ryan Norys said: "We are proud to partner with Elithair, a brand that has demonstrated undisputed global leadership in its field.

"As the world’s largest hair transplant clinic, we could not have chosen a better partner than Elithair to engage our fanbase through a mission to inspire self-confidence and offer globally recognised clinical treatment practices."

Elithair co-founder Dr Abdulaziz Balwi said: "Partnering with an iconic Premier League club like Tottenham Hotspur is a monumental step for Elithair.

Arsenal face Tottenham Hotspur in this weekend's North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium but the Premier League leaders will be without injured defensive powerhouse Gabriel, Mikel Arteta has confirmed

Everything you need to know from Mikel Arteta's pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal vs Tottenham, as the Premier League leaders prepare to get back down to their title charge

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Gabriel injury update: Mikel Arteta confirmed that defender Gabriel Magalhães sustained an injury while on international duty with Brazil and will be sidelined for several weeks. He is scheduled for another scan next Wednesday, which will provide a much clearer timeline for his return to the pitch.

Wider injury issues and potential returns: Arteta expressed his hope that several key players, including Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Martin Odegaard, might be available soon - but was keeping his cards close to his chest. He and the medical staff worked intensely during the international break, but final decisions on any possible involvement will only be made after the final training session.

Gabriel Jesus' fitness: Gabriel Jesus is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation, having trained fully with the team for almost two weeks now following his injury. While he looks sharp, the club plans to give him some exposure in internal games to regain full match fitness before he is fully relied upon.

Significance of the North London Derby: Arteta described the North London Derby as a uniquely special and ferocious rivalry where both clubs aim to "conquer" that part of the city. He views the immense passion and emotion from the home fans as a "superpower" that the team must harness with their own commitment on the field.

Assessment of Tottenham: The manager acknowledged that Thomas Frank has instilled a clear, new identity in the Tottenham squad and believes they have truly earned their position in the league table. He expects a very tough game, particularly highlighting their impressive away record, and stressed that Arsenal will need a top-level performance to win.

Eberechi Eze: Arteta expressed his pride and happiness that Eze chose to join Arsenal over other interested clubs - notably Spurs - during the summer, calling it a good sign. He believes there is still a lot more to come from the England international, noting that as he settles and builds connections with teammates, his natural talent will result in an even bigger impact on the team.

IN FULL: Read everything Mikel Arteta said in its entirety on our sister website, Football.London

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The first north London derby of the season between Arsenal and Tottenham will take place on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium

Everything you need to know ahead of Arsenal vs Tottenham

Arsenal enter the derby as the league leaders but know a victory is essential to maintain their gap over second-place Manchester City. Dropping points at home would allow their rivals to significantly close the gap, adding immense pressure ahead of the festive period.

Gunners centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has officially been ruled out for "weeks" after sustaining a thigh injury with the Brazil national team. His absence is a huge blow, removing a crucial leader and set-piece threat from a defence that previously enjoyed a strong run of clean sheets.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that five key players, including Mohammed Kudus and Pape Matar Sarr, have returned to full training and are available for selection. This significantly alleviates their injury crisis and gives them much-needed depth and fresh attacking options.

The north London derby marks the start of a critical seven-day stretch for Arsenal, which includes a massive Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. Success or failure in the derby could set the tone for a challenging week, which is crucial for their season ambitions.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will look to dominate possession and control the game's rhythm through their highly technical midfield. However, Tottenham, under Frank, are expected to deploy a more pragmatic, direct and counter-attacking strategy designed to frustrate their hosts.

This will be Frank's first official North London derby as Tottenham manager, bringing a new tactical dimension to the rivalry. Frank's teams are known for their physical intensity and dangerous set-piece routines, which could unsettle an Arsenal side who looked unusually shaky last time out against Sunderland's direct approach.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who has missed recent matches due to a knee injury, is reportedly back in full training and will face a late fitness test. His potential return would provide a massive creative and psychological lift to the Gunners' midfield.

This derby marks the first time in over a decade that neither the influential Harry Kane nor Son Heung-min will be involved in the fixture. Spurs will hope it signifies a fresh start against their bitter rivals, with the Gunners having dominated in recent years with just one loss in the last nine meetings.

READ THE FULL STORY ON GABRIEL'S INJURY: Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal's worst fears with Gabriel injury update

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Benjamin Sesko was forced off with an injury in Manchester United's draw with Tottenham Hotspur before the international break and is now a major doubt for Everton

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko was absent from training ahead of Monday night's clash with Everton. The forward limped off against Tottenham Hotspur before the international break, leaving the Reds a man down for the rest of the game.

Sesko headed straight for the tunnel after his injury, and manager Ruben Amorim hinted that he might need to dip into the transfer market if the injury turns out to be a long-term problem.

It remains unclear whether this will be necessary, but Sesko was not seen at Friday morning's training session. Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo were also not seen at the session.

Since making his full debut for United, Sesko has either been chosen to start by Amorim or the team has played without a striker. The latter strategy was used in matches against Liverpool and Tottenham.

If Sesko is unavailable, Joshua Zirkzee could be called upon, although so far this season the Dutchman has only played a total of 90 minutes over five appearances.

It seems more likely that United will stick with the same system they used against Spurs. This would involve Amad potentially playing alongside Bryan Mbeumo, with Matheus Cunha leading the line as a false nine.

Alternatively, Mason Mount could be recalled to the starting line-up. He made a strong impression when he came on against Tottenham, setting up two chances for Sesko in the 2-2 draw.

Amorim will give an update on Sesko's injury at his press conference this afternoon. But speaking earlier this month, the United boss hinted that the injury - along with Bryan Mbeumo's impending absence to play in the AFCON - could force them into January transfer business.

He said: “He had something in his knee so we have to see. We have to check everything, we have to check what’s happened with Ben. Of course, we are going to have a problem there (AFCON), but we already knew that.

“We knew that we would have a lot of players who are not going to play because it’s one game a week, so we knew that trying to manage that situation was going to be hard.

“Let’s see when the window is open, if we can improve the team, and try to repair something that happened. Until then we have to take the chance. We’ll see.”

A closer look at some Arsenal headlines as the Gunners are linked with a promising forward ahead of the January transfer window

Arsenal are preparing to face Tottenham Hotspur in their return to Premier League action. It is a crucial clash for the Gunners, who will be eager to maintain their four-point lead at the top of the table.

Mikel Arteta’s side signed off for the international break after a 2-2 draw with Sunderland, allowing Manchester City to begin putting pressure on the league leaders. Spurs will be relishing the opportunity to dent Arsenal’s title hopes, but the Gunners will have home advantage at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

However, Arsenal may have to cope without several of their star names. Gabriel Magalhaes was among those to pick up an injury on international duty, adding to a growing list of potentially sidelined players.

Arsenal will be focused on returning to winning ways against Spurs, who will hope to take advantage of any key absentees in Arteta’s team. Here, Mirror Football delves into some of the headlines surrounding the Gunners.

Arsenal interested in £70m star

German outlet Sport1 has reported that Arsenal are among the clubs interested in Eintracht Frankfurt star Jean-Matteo Bahoya. The 20-year-old winger is considered a hot prospect, with the German club placing a £70m valuation on the France U21 international.

He was signed from Angers in 2024 and made 33 appearances in all competitions last term, predominantly from the bench, tallying up seven goal contributions. Bahoya began this season by scoring a brace against Werder Bremen but is claimed to have grown frustrated with his lack of regular minutes.

Despite the young forward being used as a rotational player, Arsenal have been linked with a move for Bahoya. Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche is said to value Bahoya at £70m.

Bahoya was reportedly the subject of a £61m bid from a Saudi Arabian club in the summer, which the German club turned down. Frankfurt have commanded significant transfer fees for Hugo Ekitike and Randal Kolo Muani in recent years.

Eberechi Eze responds to transfer fee

Eberechi Eze has shrugged off any suggestions of pressure following his £60m move from Crystal Palace. The 27-year-old, who has scored twice and registered three assists in 17 games, insists that he has not felt the need to justify his price tag.

“Pressure? For me? No. Pressure, no, because I think that is just how my belief system is set up,” Eze told the Beast Mode On podcast.

“I don’t feel the pressure because of what I believe, and the faith that I have. I feel like I have been put in a position, because a club like Arsenal deemed it worthy.

“They pay that money because you are worth that money. Putting it into numbers is hard, because my belief system is set up on a different thing.

“But it is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to go play, do my stuff, be the player that I know I can be - and then you will tell me if I was worth the money or not.”

Arsenal head into one of their biggest games of the season this weekend against North London rivals Tottenham and there’s both good and bad news for the Gunners ahead of the game

Arsenal are just a few days away from one of the biggest games in their season as they prepare to take on their bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.

A victory would see Mikel Arteta's side not only get one over their bitter rivals, it would also see them extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal currently sit four points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City.

Heading into the game, Arteta will be aiming to prepare his side in the best possible way. With that being said, get updated on all of the latest news from the red half of North London:

North London Derby absences

Meanwhile, forwards Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus may all be sidelined. Captain Martin Odegaard is also still continuing his recovery.

On the Spurs side of things, long-term absentees James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin and Dominic Solanke are all ruled out. Randal Kolo Muani continues to struggle, while Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Yves Bissouma and Kota Takai are all doubts.

What side should Arsenal play vs Spurs? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Saka’s contract update

Arsenal have managed to underline their new-found negotiating power by committing star forward Bukayo Saka to a new contract. The England winger is closing in on a new deal at the Emirates that will see him put pen to paper on fresh terms until 2030.

Saka’s current deal runs until 2027, meaning Arsenal still had time on their side. But the Gunners will have been keen to agree an extension sooner rather than later.

Arsenal would have been running the risk on Saka being open to other opportunities, including a move or a Bosman exit, should they have allowed his deal to reach its final 12 months.

Eze makes Timber point

Arsenal summer signing Eberechi Eze has claimed that he was the most surprised by Jurrien Timber following his arrival in North London.

He said: "Everyone is sort of what you expect them to be. The expectation of all the players is high. I’ll say one player who has gone even beyond the high expectation I already had – because I’d heard good things about him – was Jurrien Timber. He’s a special player and a special guy.

"I think for me, in an environment of people and you have a culture that is geared towards improving, these guys all want to improve. So for me it’s a pleasure to be part of it and to see guys like him who perform the way they perform, who carry themselves the way they carry themselves. It’s inspiring, for sure."

Dominic Solanke has been sidelined with an ankle injury since August and the Tottenham striker has opened up about his frustration at being out of action for so long

Dominic Solanke has confessed that his spell on the sidelines has been "difficult", but he remains optimistic about Tottenham's potential to achieve "big things" upon his return.

After a record-breaking £65million transfer from Bournemouth in August 2024, Solanke's start to the 2025/26 season under new manager Thomas Frank has been marred by frustration. An ankle injury has limited the 28-year-old's appearances for Spurs this season to just three, with his last match being the 2-0 victory over Man City on August 23.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea player's pre-season was disrupted by the reoccurring ankle problem, leading to him undergoing "minor surgery" at the end of September to address the issue. As he nears his comeback, Solanke has opened up about the challenges of the past three months, reports Football London.

"It's been very difficult," Solanke admitted to The Athletic. "At first, I didn't think I would be out for too long but we didn't really understand the extent of the injury.

"I was trying to get back as quickly as I could but it didn't happen, so I had to have surgery. Since then, I have been working to get back.

"I'm not putting a timeline on it because I've been telling everyone 'I'm going to be back soon' for the last few months. I'm taking it day by day but hopefully I won't be much longer."

Solanke is not expected to return for Sunday's North London Derby against Tottenham, nor the midweek Champions League clash with PSG. He has been back in the gym building up his strength in recent weeks and has also seen external specialists about the injury.

The striker is looking forward to working with Frank, who joined from Brentford in the summer and has already made a number of changes to how the club operates. "I haven't had the chance to work with (Frank) too much but he is a great man manager," Solanke said.

"All the players are loving having him around. He speaks with us all and has meetings every day. Even with the coaching staff he has brought in, everyone gets on so well. It's a great environment.

"We have had a good start to the season. When a few of us come back (from injury) and strengthen the squad, hopefully we can do some big things."

Elsewhere on the injury front, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray and Ben Davies remain sidelined.

There's also fitness concerns over Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Randal Kolo Muani and Pape Matar Sarr going into the North London Derby.

Arsenal and Tottenham are both set to be without a number of key players for Sunday's North London Derby, with a host of stars currently side-lined through injury

As many as 19 players could be absent from Sunday's North London derby, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur hit by a wave of injuries. Mikel Arteta's Gunners are set to welcome Thomas Frank's Lilywhites in a fierce contest for local bragging rights this weekend, following a two-week international break.

Despite the anticipation amongst fans who will be flocking down Holloway Road and into the Emirates Stadium, neither team will be entering the match at full strength. That's because a number of first-team stars are currently sidelined through injury and will likely miss the game altogether.

Mirror Football provides a comprehensive breakdown of the latest injury news for both Arsenal and Spurs as the crucial game looms.

Arsenal

Arsenal may have to face Spurs without nine key players this weekend. Despite their current surge in the Premier League, sitting comfortably at the top with a four-point lead over Manchester City, Arteta's impressive run hasn't been without its challenges.

Gabriel was substituted 64 minutes into Brazil's friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday due to a knee injury. The knock could see the 27-year-old sidelined for at least four weeks, while there are also concerns that he might not return to action until January.

In other news, Jurrien Timber received treatment for an apparent knee injury during the Netherlands' match against Lithuania on Monday. Despite appearing to be in considerable pain and being substituted at the hour mark, Timber later posted a reassuring message on social media, suggesting that the injury isn't too serious.

In the meantime, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are still on the mend from their respective knee injuries, and it's possible that Sunday's match may come too soon for either to return. Viktor Gyokeres was left out of Sweden's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland or Slovenia due to a hamstring injury he sustained against Burnley earlier this month, while Riccardo Calafiori returned to the UK from Italy duty due to a hip problem.

Gabriel Martinelli continues his recovery from a thigh injury he picked up against Crystal Palace in late October, with a return expected in early December. Noni Madueke remains out of action with a knee injury he suffered in September.

Finally, Gabriel Jesus is still on the sidelines for Arsenal after undergoing surgery for an ACL injury he sustained in January. Although he's close to making a comeback, it's reported that he won't be ready for selection until December.

Spurs

Tottenham are heading into Sunday's match against Arsenal with a whopping 10 players currently injured. Lucas Bergvall had to withdraw from the Sweden squad due to ongoing concussion issues, and updates from his national team suggest he might still be grappling with the problem, casting doubt over his availability to face Arsenal.

French reports also indicate that Randal Kolo Muani fractured his jaw during Spurs' 2-2 draw with Manchester United before the international break, which will keep him out of action until at least December, while Dominic Solanke hasn't featured for the Lilywhites since sustaining an ankle injury in August.

James Maddison isn't expected to return until May 2026 due to an ACL injury, while Dejan Kulusevski is nursing a knee injury from May and is set to return in January. Radu Dragusin is also recovering from an ACL injury and isn't expected to play for Spurs until next month, while Archie Gray could miss the short trip to Arsenal due to a minor calf issue.

In addition, Ben Davies, Yves Bissouma and Kota Takai could all be absent for the North London Derby.

Tottenham have a few headaches heading into Sunday's North London Derby against Arsenal

Tottenham lost a lot of their early-season momentum - and at the worst possible time too. A huge North London derby against Arsenal is next on the agenda, swiftly followed by a high-stakes Champions League meeting with PSG.

Thomas Frank's side opened the campaign at full throttle, winning five of their first seven matches in all competitions after coming within a whisker of a famous Super Cup victory over PSG. But a tough run over the past month - defeats to Aston Villa, Newcastle and Chelsea, plus a stoppage-time equaliser conceded against Manchester United - has drained much of their early confidence and spark.

Spurs remain in a solid position, sitting fifth in the Premier League and 10th in the Champions League standings after an undefeated start to the latter but it's clear Frank has work to do to reignite his team after a sputtering spell. With that in mind, here's a roundup of the latest Tottenham news.

Tel 'unhappy' in London

Mathys Tel is reportedly growing unsettled in London mere months after signing for Tottenham. The French forward, who joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich at the start of the year before signing outright in the summer, is said to be open to a January departure after struggling to secure a regular place in Frank's starting XI.

Tel has featured for only 24 minutes over the past month, with competition in Tottenham's attack exceptionally fierce. Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani, Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson are all vying for the same positions, leaving opportunities limited.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, AS Roma are considering a loan bid - and Spurs are open to letting him leave. However, Tel's goal against Manchester United earlier this month may prompt Frank to give the youngster a more prominent role in the coming weeks - which could potentially shift the club's - and the player's stance in the weeks ahead.

Nightmare injury scenario

Tottenham may be without Pape Matar Sarr for Sunday's trip to Arsenal. The midfielder, a mainstay in Frank's side this season, limped off during Senegal's 2-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday.

At first the issue appeared minor, with Senegal manager Pape Thiaw downplaying its severity. But Sarr was then omitted from Senegal's 8–0 win over Kenya on Tuesday, casting serious doubt over his availability for the weekend.

"We left him in London," Thiaw confirmed. "He took a knock, and 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 with his club so he could receive treatment there."

Tottenham are already stretched, with Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin all sidelined. Yves Bissouma, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray are also doubts for the North London Derby, leaving Spurs worryingly thin in central midfield.