Tottenham Hotspur are navigating through a crucial stretch of the season with a growing list of injuries, just as they prepare for a massive North London derby against Arsenal. After a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Thomas Frank’s men now face an anxious international break, with several key players either returning to fitness or facing new setbacks. The club has two weeks to regroup, but injuries to major stars could shape their immediate future.
Randal Kolo Muani’s situation has been one of the biggest talking points. The French striker was forced off at halftime against Manchester United after suffering a jaw injury. Initially, Thomas Frank downplayed the issue, describing it as “nothing big,” but further medical checks revealed the problem might be more severe than first thought.
Kolo Muani has withdrawn from France’s World Cup qualifiers, and reports from France suggest the injury is “more serious than expected.” Tottenham will now have to wait for updates as there is no official timeline for his return, though hopes remain that his absence will not be long-term.
Cristian Romero, the team’s captain and defensive leader, also caused concern when he was substituted late in the same match. However, Frank was quick to reassure fans that Romero’s withdrawal was purely precautionary.
Having just returned from an earlier injury, the Argentine was simply fatigued. Frank confirmed that Romero is fit enough to join Argentina for international duty and should be fully ready for Tottenham’s next big fixture against Arsenal on November 23, 2025.
Mohammed Kudus has also been a source of worry. The Ghanaian playmaker missed training before Tottenham’s Champions League win over Copenhagen and did not feature in that match or the draw against Manchester United.
Kudus was replaced in press duties by Guglielmo Vicario, indicating that his absence was precautionary. Frank remains confident that Kudus will be back for the North London derby, explaining that the short turnaround between games was the only reason for his omission.
Lucas Bergvall’s injury was another blow. The young midfielder suffered a concussion after taking a ball to the face during the loss to Chelsea. Despite his eagerness to continue, Tottenham’s medical staff followed protocol and took him off the field.
He will need to complete a minimum 12-day recovery period before returning to action, meaning he should also be available for the Arsenal match.
Dominic Solanke has endured a frustrating start to life under Thomas Frank. The forward has yet to play this season due to an ankle injury sustained in pre-season. Although the manager is optimistic about his recovery, he has ruled Solanke out until after the international break. Tottenham hopes to have him available by late November or early December, depending on his progress.
Radu Dragusin’s return is one of the more positive updates. After being sidelined for nine months with an ACL injury, the Romanian defender has resumed full training. Frank stated that Dragusin is “fully integrated” and nearing match fitness. With the derby fast approaching, he could make his long-awaited comeback against Arsenal.
Kota Takai, who joined from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer, has yet to make his Tottenham debut. The young defender has been recovering from a quadriceps issue but is expected to return to training soon.
Ben Davies’ season has been interrupted by a hamstring injury sustained during international duty with Wales. Frank confirmed that his recovery period should last around four to five weeks, meaning a late November return looks likely.
Yves Bissouma’s struggles continue after a series of unfortunate setbacks. The Malian midfielder was first sidelined for disciplinary reasons, then picked up a ligament injury while playing for his national team. He has since undergone surgery and will be out for several weeks, with no clear return date at this point.
Dejan Kulusevski is another player facing a lengthy absence. The Swedish winger underwent knee surgery following the Europa League final and is still not back on the training pitch. Frank revealed that he continues to work hard on his recovery, and Tottenham expects him to be available sometime in December.
Finally, James Maddison’s situation remains uncertain. The midfielder sustained an ACL injury during pre-season, underwent surgery, and is now in long-term rehabilitation. His return is expected to come no earlier than summer 2026, making his absence one of the longest in the squad.
Below is a summary of Tottenham’s current injury list and projected return dates:
| Player | Injury | Status | Potential Return Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randal Kolo Muani | Jaw injury | More serious than expected | Unknown |
| Cristian Romero | Fatigue (post-injury recovery) | Fit for selection | Nov 23, 2025 vs Arsenal |
| Mohammed Kudus | Knock | Expected to return | Nov 23, 2025 vs Arsenal |
| Lucas Bergvall | Concussion | Following protocol | Nov 23, 2025 vs Arsenal |
| Dominic Solanke | Ankle injury | Recovering | Late Nov/Early Dec |
| Radu Dragusin | ACL injury | Back in training | Nov 23, 2025 vs Arsenal |
| Kota Takai | Quadriceps issue | Nearing return | Nov/Dec |
| Ben Davies | Hamstring injury | 4-5 weeks recovery | Late November |
| Yves Bissouma | Ligament injury | Recovering post-surgery | Unknown |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Knee surgery | Out long-term | December |
| James Maddison | ACL injury | Long-term recovery | Summer 2026 |
As Tottenham prepare for their clash with Arsenal, Frank will be hoping that key players like Romero, Kudus, and Dragusin are ready to strengthen his side. With several stars returning just in time and others nearing full fitness, Spurs will aim to turn their injury challenges into an opportunity to showcase their depth and resilience when the Premier League resumes.
