Tottenham vs Arsenal injury and suspension latest as 16 players could miss out
Tottenham are looking to begin the Igor Tudor era with a win as they take on arch-rivals Arsenal, but both sides will be without a number of players.
Finding themselves fighting at the wrong end of the table, Tudor arrives with one particular goal in mind: to steer Tottenham to Premier League safety.
Having guided Juventus to a Champions League spot last term after a tumultuous period under Thiago Motta, the Croatian has gained a reputation as a firefighter.
Spurs could get off to the perfect start under their new manager on Sunday, as they welcome Arsenal to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, after falling to a 4-1 defeat in November’s North London derby.
However, Tudor does remain slightly hamstrung, entering the weekend without multiple key players.
Up to 12 Tottenham players set to miss North London derby vs Arsenal
As has been the case for the full season thus far, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain out for Spurs, while Wilson Odobert has joined the pair as a long-term absentee after sustaining a ruptured ACL earlier this month.
Kevin Danso, Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are all set to return to the fold in early March, continuing to hamper the Spurs backline, while Richarlison is expected to be back in action at the same time after scoring a sensational goal against Arsenal earlier this season.
Captain Cristian Romero remains suspended following his red card against Manchester United, while Ben Davies also continues to sit on the sidelines. This could mean that Joao Palhinha fills in at centre-back alongside Radu Dragusin and Micky Van de Ven.
Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur are all expected to make their respective returns towards the end of the season.
On a positive note, Dominic Solanke has been passed fit after suffering with illness this week.
On the Arsenal side, things are much easier for Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Merino remains out until the end of the season, while Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are fitness doubts after suffering with thigh and knee injuries recently.
Max Dowman is expected to return at the end of the month, meaning as many as 16 players could be absent from both teams combined.
Igor Tudor has a chance to make an instant impact
Heading into Sunday’s derby, visitors Arsenal have struggled as of late, with back to back draws away at Brentford and Wolves.
The aftermath of Wednesday’s clash at Molineux exposed certain vulnerabilities within the ranks at the club, with tense post-match scenes as the Gunners look to avoid slipping up in their ongoing title race.
While the circumstances with the squad are far from ideal for Tudor, he has the opportunity to make an immediate impact and cement his legacy at the club for not just winning the North London derby, but having a huge say in the title race at the same time, with Manchester City now five points behind with a game in hand.
Known for being a firefighter, he could get Tottenham’s survival quest off to the perfect start as they host their rivals on Sunday.
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