BREAKING NEWS: “I have suspended two of my defenders who admitted they are afraid of him. Unfortunately, no one on my team has volunteered to take him on yet. I’m at a loss,” says the Tottenham manager, revealing that he has suspended TWO players for this issue and naming ONE Arsenal player that everyone at the club dreads facing.

Ange Postecoglou recently discussed Tottenham’s preparation for the upcoming North London Derby against Arsenal, following an unusual two-week break. While acknowledging the benefits of the break, he emphasized that his players are eager to get back into action, especially after their heavy defeat to Newcastle.

He expressed a preference for more regular matches during such a busy period but noted that his team has worked hard during the break and is excited to return to the field.

Despite the tough loss to Newcastle, Postecoglou doesn’t believe it will impact their performance against Arsenal. He stressed that dwelling on past results is not productive, particularly in a derby where anything can happen. Instead, his team is focused on the upcoming challenge, and he is confident they have learned valuable lessons from their previous game.

On the injury front, Postecoglou shared his disappointment regarding Destiny Udogie’s surgery but remained optimistic about his recovery, expecting him to be ready for pre-season. In better news, Pedro Porro and Richarlison have been training throughout the week and will be available for the derby, boosting Tottenham’s options.

Looking beyond the derby, Postecoglou sees the upcoming fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool as critical tests for Tottenham. He believes these matches will provide a clear sense of where the team stands and highlight areas for improvement, as they face off against top-tier opponents. For Postecoglou, each game presents an opportunity to assess progress and growth.

Postecoglou is particularly excited about hosting the derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He views these matches as pivotal, especially at this point in the season when meaningful games become more frequent. He is eager to see how his team performs in these high-stakes encounters and how they continue to develop.

When asked if the North London Derby is the biggest game of his tenure, Postecoglou maintained that he treats every match with the same level of seriousness. However, he acknowledged the significance of the derby for the fans and the intensity it brings.

He also praised Arsenal and their manager, Mikel Arteta, for building a successful team that consistently challenges for top-four finishes, commending their discipline and vision.