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Tottenham must use Sunday’s Derby as a catalyst for improvement

Had it not been for Matthijs De Ligt’s late header at the back post, Tottenham Hotspur would have entered the November international break on the back of a morale-boosting win over Manchester United. As it turned out, many of the weaknesses and flaws in Thomas Frank’s side were highlighted in a 2-2 draw.

It’s been a challenging start to the season for Spurs. While Tottenham are sitting fifth in the Premier League table, Frank has faced questions over his approach with the North London outfit struggling to create chances through the centre of the pitch. Tottenham’s results have generally been better than their performances.

Frank must do all he can to make this weekend’s meeting with Arsenal a catalyst for improvement. The Gunners will be firm favourites for Sunday’s North London Derby, but Tottenham have shown their ability to hurt teams on the counter. Could this game suit Frank’s team? Might this be a derby that plays to their strengths?

Against Arsenal on Sunday, Spurs will likely have to play without the ball for long spells. The hosts will look to control the match in possession with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi two elite level pace-setters in the centre of the pitch. Factor in Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard, who could return from injury, and Arsenal’s midfield advantage is clear.

This will surely dictate Frank’s team selection. Spurs will need dynamism and running power to keep up with Arsenal’s physical levels, meaning Pape Matar Sarr could be favoured over Rodrigo Bentancur as Joao Palhinha’s partner in the centre of the pitch. That would at least allow Tottenham to compete against the ball.

Palhinha’s arrival from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window gave Tottenham some much-needed steel in midfield, but the Portuguese international is limited as a progressor of the ball. This has impacted Spurs in terms of their ability to play forward and create opportunities on a consistent basis. They’re too easy to hold at arm’s length.

Xavi Simons was signed in the summer transfer window to be a natural creator, but the Netherlands international has so far struggled to make an impact on matches because he isn’t being served the ball in the most advanced areas of the pitch. Simons isn’t being set up to succeed for his new team. He needs a stronger supply line to play at his best.

Wilson Odobert made a difference off the bench against Manchester United, giving Spurs some verticality when they had otherwise been predictable in possession. This could be useful from the start against Arsenal to provide Tottenham with a funnel into the final third to create chances and also relieve some pressure when required.

Frank has used a number of different attacking focal points since taking over in the summer. Richarlison has been favoured in the number nine role, but has also been deployed in a wide area to make room for Randal Kolo Muani. Mathys Tel is another option for Frank through the middle.

None of these options, though, have truly flourished as the all-round attacking threat Spurs need and this is holding back Frank’s team, especially when the midfield is so limited in progressing the ball into the opposition half. Far too often Tottenham are lacking any sort of attacking direction.

As a club, Tottenham Hotspur has been lacking direction for a while. Daniel Levy has left and there are questions over the leadership of the North London outfit going forward. Frank has come under some pressure as Spurs’ new manager too. A victory in Sunday’s derby, however, would quell some concerns and reassure fans that their team is heading in the right direction.