The build-up to Sunday afternoon could not be more intense, as the North London Derby once again takes centre stage in the Premier League. Whenever Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal meet, the atmosphere is electric, emotions run high and every moment feels like it carries twice the weight of an ordinary match.
It is the one fixture in the English top flight where passion often overrides logic, and perhaps the only thing supporters of both clubs can agree on is that this rivalry means everything.
Tottenham enter the clash as clear underdogs. Arsenal sit at the top of the table and have been one of the most consistent sides in the division, while Spurs find themselves in fifth place, fighting to stay in touch with the leaders.
Despite their league position, analytics suggest that Tottenham have been overperforming, calling them fortunate to be in the top half at all. Whether that is fair or not, it adds another layer of pressure for a Spurs side that has been hit heavily by injuries throughout the season.
Arsenal have their own fitness problems, but Tottenham’s issues feel far more severe. The squad was already thin in certain positions, and every setback has exposed those weaknesses even more.
The long list of absentees has forced Thomas Frank into constant reshuffling, and every game feels like another test of resilience. Yet, amid all the frustration, there may finally be a glimmer of hope ahead of the derby.
One of the biggest injury concerns came just before the international break when Randal Kolo Muani was forced off during the match against Manchester United.
There were early fears that he had suffered a broken jaw, which would have kept him out for a lengthy spell. Fortunately, scans revealed no fracture, but the expectation remained that he would miss several weeks of football.
Spurs supporters braced for bad news, as losing a dynamic forward like Kolo Muani for an extended period felt like another cruel blow in an already difficult season.
However, a surprising update has now shifted the mood. According to a report from Matt Law of The Daily Telegraph, Kolo Muani could actually return in time for the derby against Arsenal.
Tottenham’s medical team have devised a plan for the French forward to wear a specially designed protective mask that shields his jaw and facial area from further damage.
He has already begun training with the mask to get comfortable, and the hope is that he will be available for selection on Sunday.
This development is massive for Tottenham supporters, who quietly wished for exactly this kind of turnaround during the international break. Even the possibility of having Kolo Muani in the squad adds a level of optimism that had been missing in recent weeks.
His pace, aggression and movement offer something different to the attack, and although he may not be fully ready to start, his presence alone could influence the rhythm of the match.
If he is declared fit enough to feature, Kolo Muani will almost certainly begin on the bench. Mathys Tel has stepped ahead in the pecking order, especially after his lively second-half appearance when Kolo Muani first went down injured.
Tel’s energy and impact have made him the preferred option over Richarlison, who has struggled to find consistent form. Even so, Kolo Muani as an option off the bench could be a powerful weapon for Frank.
In a derby where moments often decide the outcome, a fresh, unpredictable forward entering the pitch late could be decisive.
Tottenham have faced tough challenges all season, and injuries have shaped their campaign in ways they did not expect. But a surprise return like this can lift morale in a squad that desperately needs good news.
The North London Derby will always be intense, unpredictable and emotional, but having one more attacking spark available might give Spurs the belief that they can go toe-to-toe with their fiercest rivals.
Whether he plays five minutes or fifty, Kolo Muani’s potential involvement is a reminder that fortunes can shift quickly in football. And as Tottenham prepare for one of their biggest matches of the season, every small advantage matters.
