The international break is nearing its conclusion, and club football will soon resume with renewed fervor. One of the most eagerly awaited fixtures following this hiatus is the North London Derby, which will see Tottenham Hotspur face off against their arch-rivals, Arsenal, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
This match is of significant importance for both teams, as it represents not only a battle for supremacy in North London but also an early test of their season’s form. Tottenham Hotspur has had a somewhat inconsistent start to the Premier League season, having accumulated only four points from their initial three games. The team is keen to rectify their recent shortcomings, particularly after suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United just before the international break.
As Tottenham Hotspur prepares for this high-stakes encounter, there is a strong possibility that they will be up against an Arsenal side that might be somewhat weakened. Arsenal will be missing Declan Rice, who is suspended, while Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard are both doubtful due to injuries sustained during the international break. Additionally, Mikel Merino is set to be sidelined for an extended period following shoulder surgery.
However, Tottenham Hotspur has also encountered a significant setback ahead of the derby. Reports indicate that Yves Bissouma, a key player for Spurs, suffered an injury during international duty with Mali. Bissouma had an impactful performance in Mali’s 1-0 victory over Eswatini, scoring the decisive goal in the seventh minute. He capitalized on a misplaced pass from the Eswatini goalkeeper, receiving the ball near the edge of the box and delivering a powerful shot that secured the win for Mali in their Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying group-stage fixture.
Despite his crucial contribution to the game, Bissouma’s participation was cut short when he limped off the field in the 65th minute due to a heavy tackle, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming derby.
Before his untimely substitution, the 28-year-old had demonstrated commendable form in midfield, continuing his recent good performances. His potential absence would be a considerable blow to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly as he had begun to find his stride after resolving some off-field issues from earlier in the season. In Bissouma’s possible absence, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has several alternatives at his disposal, including Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray, and Lucas Bergvall, who could fill the void left by Bissouma. Nevertheless, the team would undoubtedly prefer to have their Malian midfielder fit and available for this crucial fixture.
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Tottenham Hotspur fans are hopeful that Bissouma’s injury is not severe and that he will be able to participate in the North London Derby. The outcome of this match will be closely watched, and both teams will be eager to secure a positive result as they continue their respective campaigns in the Premier League.
