Tottenham Hotspur

Former Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Arsenal:

"They're massive words coming from the manager and the club captain [Son Heung-min]. They were flat and listening to Ange speak, you could feel that even he was really flat and disappointed there.

"There were times in the game when you were thinking this didn't feel like a derby, especially in that first half. It was all too nice, Arsenal were very comfortable and they were letting them have possession.

"Even in the second half, you were going 'come on, let's go for it, we've got six forward players on this pitch'. We didn't really see the tempo lift and that's disappointing in this game.

"The fans will not accept that because this game means so much to the fans and the football club, and it didn't feel like a derby watching it."

On the club's injury list: "It's been a massive factor. You're not talking about one or two fringe players, you're talking about key players; your number one goalkeeper, your two centre-halves, Destiny Udogie is out - three of your back four are out, plus your goalkeeper, and that would affect any team.

"The boys who have come in - Archie Gray has been brilliant and Djed Spence has looked really good.

"The interesting thing to see now is will Spurs look to bolster their squad in this January window? They'll be looking to cover at centre-half and possibly another striker.

"They've shown today and over this season that the squad needs strengthening."

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• Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth

• Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool

• Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

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Tottenham have lost 11 games in the Premier League this season - their joint-most at this stage of a single campaign in the competition (also 11 in 1997-98, 2003-04 and 2008-09).

The only sides who have lost more this term are the three teams currently in the relegation zone (Wolves, Leicester, Southampton).

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to TNT Sports: "Nowhere near good enough, especially in the first half. We were too passive. We let Arsenal dictate the game.

"Second half was a little better not nowhere near good enough. Not acceptable.

"Ultimately the responsibility lies with me and how I prepare the players.

"I'm more interested in how we play and we were not anywhere near the levels today.

"Go back to work and prepare for a tough game.

"Of course they [defeats] hurt me. Not acceptable. Too many losses this year. Too many games getting away from us. It needs to stop.

"No other way of looking at it. If you give up now, there's no point. Right now we have a big game against Everton this weekend. That's our focus."

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Tottenham captain Son Heung-min, speaking to TNT Sports: "Very disappointing. This game means a lot to the club and fans. Conceding goals like this is more painful.

"The manager is right. We were too passive. We always want to press and play high up as possible. In the first half we were way too passive. Second half was a little better. The first half was not good enough.

"It's up to the players as well. You have to listen to what we want to do. I think we were not disciplined enough.

"We have to do better in every aspect.

"When you look at table it's not good enough."

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There are four Premier League fixtures on Wednesday and we will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Aston Villa - listen on the BBC Sport website and app

• Leicester v Crystal Palace - listen on the BBC Sport website and app

• Newcastle v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Arsenal v Tottenham (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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In the build-up to the north London derby, goals have been the pressing subject given how poor Arsenal's finishing has been over the past week.

In fairness, Tottenham's was not up to much either, labouring to victory in extra time against non-league opposition hardly the stuff FA Cup dreams are made of.

However, when it comes to current players in the north London derby, Ange Postecoglou will be able to call upon the man with the best goalscoring record in this fixture - and someone who understands what it means to break Arsenal hearts.

Captain Son Heung-min has seven goals in 19 Premier League appearances against the Gunners, including two on his most recent visit to Emirates Stadium last season.

The South Korea forward only has five league goals so far in 2024-25, putting him an unusually lowly joint fourth for Tottenham, alongside Dejan Kulusevski.

James Maddison tops that particular list with eight, while Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke both have seven.

Wednesday's visit to his side's fiercest rivals would be an opportune time for 32-year-old Son to rediscover his scoring touch and break Arsenal hearts.

After all, beyond Son, only Cristian Romero among the current crop has even scored against the Gunners.

Oh for the blistering record of Son's predecessor as Tottenham's captain Harry Kane, whose 14 goals in this fixture is unlikely ever to be matched.

• Not a Spurs fan? Find your team's page here

As Arsenal and Tottenham renew their rivalry on the pitch on Wednesday evening, we asked our fan contributors for each club to go head to head off it.

Each supporter was asked where the showdown might be won and lost.

Here is what Oli Price-Bates from Fresh Arsenal, external thinks...

And this is what Anna Howells at Spurs XY, external had to say...

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says Dominic Solanke has exceeded his expectations since arriving in the summer for £65m.

Solanke, who signed from Bournemouth, has scored 11 goals in all competitions for Spurs and also provided six assists.

"I don't know who else was in for him," said Postecoglou. "I'm just glad we got him.

"If you're trying to sign a striker with proven pedigree these days, it's pretty hard not to spend. Nothing is a sure thing, but I thought he was a real safe bet for us.

"We knew we were getting a proven Premier League striker who was going to fit into our style of play, which is the most important thing. But even in terms of what I was hoping for, he's exceeded that.

"Dom has been outstanding in the way he has carried the frontline for us during this period. We put a lot of demands on that position. It's not just him standing up there scoring goals - it's working hard for the team.

"I really think if Richy [Richarlison] was available, I think he [Solanke] would have been able to contribute even greater for us in terms of his output in goals.

"He's been great for us and I really feel there is more to him and his game. We'll be able to get more out of him if we can get him some help."

Richarlison, who has been sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury, is expected to be named in the travelling matchday squad for Wednesday's north London derby.

Arsenal have had a bad week and right now it looks like Tottenham have a better chance of winning a trophy this season than they do.

People are quite rightly pointing out that the Gunners are missing chances and, with Bukayo Saka out injured, they are just lacking that spark in attack.

Having said all that, maybe they will find it again here, because I think the way Spurs play will suit Arsenal.

By that, I mean Mikel Arteta's side can soak up pressure and counter-attack, and even without Saka or a recognised centre-forward, I think they will get chances in this game. It is whether they take them this time. I am backing them to stick a couple away.

Of course this derby is really important to Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham in their situation, but the expansive way they play means it is tall order to expect an unfamiliar defence and new goalkeeper to step up again.

I do see Spurs scoring, but they give up a lot of chances. Arsenal have to win this game to hang on in the title race, and I think they will.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Tottenham forward Richarlison "has kind of been harassing me for the past 10 days to be involved," said boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Brazilian has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury at the beginning of November, but his wait is now over as he has been cleared to be available for the north London derby.

"It is just good to get him back," said Postecoglou. "He has obviously had an unfortunate season for us.

"It's not just his fighting and scrapping, he has quality as well.

"Just having an extra attacking player - with him and Mikey [Moore] available now - makes such a difference in what we can do during games and between games in the way we play.

"We have taken our time with him this time, for sure. He has kind of been harassing me for the last 10 days to be involved but we have been disciplined with that and he has looked really good in training. He looks ready to go so really happy to get him back involved."

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Arsenal have won six of their past eight Premier League games against Spurs and are looking to win three consecutive league games against them for the first time since January 1989 (a run of five).

Spurs have won just one of their past 31 Premier League away games against the Gunners (D12 L18) and are winless in 13 since a 3-2 victory in November 2010.

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says there "is no better place to start" winning games and picking up their form than at Emirates Stadium against Arsenal.

Spurs will make the short trip to their neighbours on Wednesday, who are facing a similar blip in form and battle with injuries.

Since drawing his first north London derby in September 2023, Postecoglou has lost twice at home to their fiercest rivals.

"I felt it was intense from the moment I arrived, but at the same time I've never tried to be disingenuous about this stuff and say 'this means the world to me' when I've literally just arrived," he said.

"But you get the context of the game and what it means to the club and supporters and what it means for our season. From that perspective, right from the first time we played them, I was well aware.

"It's like being up in Glasgow, you're well aware of what it means and the ramifications of both the positive and negative.

"This year is as big as they ever come, especially for us and our season. We have to start winning games in the league and no better place to start.

"Big game for the club, big game for our season, big game for our supporters... so I'm looking forward to it."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Timo Werner has a hamstring injury but they are still waiting for the results of the scan. Meanwhile, Richarlison is available following a period on the sidelines.

• In response to whether they will sign a forward: "It's hard to say. Like most other clubs, January is a difficult month to have any other certainty. It is a difficult month for everything to come together."

• He said they "can't afford to let players go" in this transfer window because of the ongoing injury crisis, but some "young ones" may be sent out on loan.

• On whether the north London derby comes at a good time because Arsenal also have multiple players injured: "We've been in this position for a while now. There's some light at the end of the tunnel. We need to start winning games and moving up the table."

• He said he has "empathy, not sympathy" for Mikel Arteta's situation, adding: "I don't think they have sympathy for us."

• On the crowd at Tamworth: "Some of the stuff I heard was vile and detestable and I had things thrown at me. People expect me to be the better person, but I didn't want to be the better person."

• He said the players had to do "extra recovery" following extra time in the FA Cup as the 4G pitch "takes a bit out of you".

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of the north London derby on BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

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A week is a long time as a Spurs fan.

Frustrated by the loss to Newcastle, delighted with the victory over Liverpool, and completely bewildered by the performance against Tamworth - the emotional rollercoaster that is Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur continues to twist and turn.

Last week, I focused on the strength of character in our squad, and on Sunday Ange said the message to his players going into extra time was to "stay calm and persistent".

One thing that has impressed me most this season is our players' resilience in the face of what has felt like relentless adversity.

No, the results in the Premier League have not been good enough and yes, we should easily be securing victory over teams like Tamworth within 90 minutes. Yet it feels like our squad has weathered the worst of this storm and, relatively speaking, we have not come out of it too badly.

Somehow, despite the inconsistencies, injuries and illnesses, we are still competing for three cups – and I feel optimistic about our chances.

Obviously, the ultimate goal is to be consistently good in all competitions but, realistically, how many Spurs fans would moan if we won a cup this season - even if it meant finishing mid-table in the league?

While our league performance has been particularly disappointing and disjointed so far, we are only just over halfway through the season, with key players due to return from injury and hopefully some additional reinforcements on their way in this transfer window.

A win at our noisy neighbours on Wednesday could be just the boost we need and could also act as a catalyst for a strong finish to the season.

Our players must produce the best of themselves - and Angeball - to win the north London derby. If they dare, they will do.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external