Arsenal v Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou has no understanding of rivals due to injuries ahead of Premier League derby | Football news
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he has empathy rather than sympathy for Arsenal’s injury problems ahead of Wednesday’s north London derby.
Already without key players including Bukaya Saka and Ben White, Arsenal now also have Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines after the Brazilian striker suffered an alleged ACL injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last sunday.
Postecoglou’s side have suffered their own injury horror and head to the Emirates on a run of one win in their last seven Premier League games, a run that left them 12th in the table at the start of the midweek round.
“I don’t know, how much they all sympathized with me? I’m not really sure…” Postecoglou said when asked if he sympathized with Mikel Arteta following the news of Jesus’ injury.
“I certainly have empathy, that’s probably a better word.
“I understand how challenging it is for any team, regardless of size or quality.”
Since joining Spurs from Celtic in the summer of 2023, Postecoglou has lost two and drawn one of his three north London derbies.
He described Wednesday’s game as “as big as it ever gets” and, while admitting his side need to get back to winning ways in the league quickly, said there would be “no better place to start” than the Emirates.
“You understand it’s a stand-alone game in the sense that it means a hell of a lot to our fans and our club,” Postecoglou said.
“So that’s the focus and that’s what we have to hone in on in terms of wanting to really give the best performance of the day so that we can make our fans happy.
“It’s like being in Glasgow, you’re well aware and you know what that means and the ramifications of both positive and negative things.
“I was on it already in the first game. This year is the biggest than ever, especially for us and our season. We have to start winning games in the league and there is no better place to start.”
Richarlison is back but Werner out
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Postecoglou offered hope that Spurs could overcome the worst of their injury problems saying “we hope there is light at the end of the tunnel for us”.
They will have Richarlison available for Wednesday’s game for the first time since picking up a muscle injury during the 4-1 win over Aston Villa in November, though Timo Werner he will miss with a hamstring injury.
“Only one that got hurt [against Tamworth in the FA Cup] it was Timo. He got a hamstring injury,” Postecoglou revealed.
“Everyone else but they’ve backed out, OK. As for incoming, Richy is available.”
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