Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says he has empathy rather than any sympathy for Arsenal’s own injury woes ahead of Wednesday’s North London derby.
Already without leading players including Bukayo Saka and Ben White, Arsenal now have Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines too after the Brazil forward suffered a suspected ACL injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last Sunday.
Postecoglou’s side have experienced their own horror run with injuries and head to the Emirates on a run of one win in their last seven Premier League games, a sequence which has left them 12th in the table at the start of the midweek round of fixtures.
“I don’t know, how much sympathy have they all had for me? I’m not really sure…” said Postecoglou when asked if he had any sympathy towards Mikel Arteta in the wake of the news of Jesus’ injury.
“I certainly have empathy, that’s probably a better word.
“I understand how challenging it is for any team, irrespective of the size or quality.”
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As Spurs and Arsenal get set for another Premier League showdown, take a look at some of the best goals the fixture has produced so far in the Premier League.
Since joining Spurs from Celtic in the summer of 2023, Postecoglou has lost two and drawn one of his three North London derbies in charge.
He described Wednesday’s match as “as big as they ever come” and, admitting his side needed to get back to winning ways in the league quickly, said there would be “no better place to start” than at the Emirates.
“You understand it is a standalone fixture in that it means a hell of a lot to our supporters and to our club,” said Postecoglou.
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We take a look back at some of the most unforgettable moments between Arsenal and Spurs in the Premier League.
“So that’s the focus and that is what we’ve got to hone in on in terms of us wanting to really bring our best performance on the day so we can make our supporters happy.
“It’s like being up in Glasgow, you’re well aware and know what it means and the ramifications of both the positive and negative.
“I’ve been on it for the first game. 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.”
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The Soccer Sunday panel believes that despite beating the non-league side Tottenham should be embarrassed by their performance against Tamworth.
Richarlison back but Werner out
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Postecoglou offered hope that Spurs could be over the worst of their injury troubles by saying there was “hopefully some light at the end of the tunnel for us”.
They will have Richarlison available for Wednesday’s game for the first time since he sustained a muscle injury during a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in November, although Timo Werner will miss out with a hamstring injury.
“Only one who picked up an injury [against Tamworth in the FA Cup] was Timo. He picked up a hamstring injury,” Postecoglou revealed.
“Everyone else apart from being sore pulled up OK. In terms of incoming, Richy is available.”
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