Tottenham Hotspur’s preparations for their upcoming clash with Arsenal have taken another hit as several key players continue to battle injuries or setbacks picked up both domestically and on international duty.
The squad has been stretched thin already this season, and Thomas Frank now faces fresh concerns over the fitness of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr, along with several other long-term absentees whose timelines remain uncertain.
Lucas Bergvall’s situation has become more complicated than originally expected. The young midfielder suffered a concussion during the match against Chelsea and was expected to follow the standard protocols before returning to action.
Tottenham hoped his recovery would be straightforward, but the 19-year-old experienced a setback while away with the Sweden national team. Despite being included in the squad, he was unable to fully participate, and Swedish manager Graham Potter had hoped he could at least train, even if he wasn’t allowed to head the ball.
That plan was quickly abandoned when Bergvall began to show continued symptoms. Sweden confirmed he would miss their next two fixtures because of the concussion he picked up in the Premier League.
Their medical team also agreed with Tottenham that no risks should be taken with a head injury. His return will depend entirely on him becoming symptom-free, and Spurs are hoping he can recover in time for the derby against Arsenal.
Pape Matar Sarr has also become a concern for Frank after picking up a knock while playing for Senegal. The midfielder has started Tottenham’s last two Premier League games and played an important role in stabilising the team.
During Senegal’s match against Brazil, he asked to come off in the first half after taking a hit and feeling unwell. The Senegal manager insisted the issue was precautionary and not believed to be serious, but Tottenham will assess him further when he returns. For now, the expectation is that Sarr could still be ready to face Arsenal if his symptoms settle quickly.
Randal Kolo Muani is another name added to Spurs’ growing injury list. He was taken off at half-time against Manchester United, and although many assumed it was a tactical decision, Frank later confirmed the striker had suffered a minor jaw injury.
The issue was significant enough for him to pull out of France duty, but Tottenham believe it is not a major problem. Even so, there is still no clear timeline for his return.
There is some positive news for Frank in the form of Mohammed Kudus. The winger missed recent matches against Manchester United and Copenhagen with a knock, but Frank is confident he will be available for the Arsenal game. His return would provide a much-needed boost in the attacking third.
Radu Dragusin is closing in on a long-awaited comeback after missing almost a year with an ACL injury. The defender is back in full training and is steadily building his strength and match readiness.
Frank has emphasised that such an injury requires careful handling, but Dragusin is now closer than ever to a return.
Ben Davies is another player expected to be available again soon. The experienced defender has not played this season, partly because of a hamstring injury picked up with Wales, but also due to selection decisions. He has been cleared to play for his national team again, which suggests his return for Spurs is near.
Dominic Solanke’s recovery has been slower. The striker has been dealing with an ankle problem since pre-season and has barely featured. Frank has stressed the importance of patience, making it clear that Solanke’s long-term fitness is the priority. Tottenham are hopeful he can return at some point in December.
Kota Takai is yet to make his debut for the club after signing from Kawasaki Frontale. The defender has been sidelined with a quad injury but should return to training soon, with December looking realistic for his availability.
Archie Gray has been out with a calf injury suffered in training before the Carabao Cup match against Newcastle. He was set to start that game, but the problem has kept him sidelined for several weeks. Spurs expect him to be back in late December.
Yves Bissouma has endured a difficult season. A mixture of disciplinary issues and a ligament injury has kept him out since the Super Cup. He underwent surgery, but there is no clear date for his return yet.
Dejan Kulusevski is in a similar position. The forward has not featured since May after undergoing surgery on his patella. While there is hope he may return before the end of the year, his comeback still feels some distance away.
James Maddison is recovering from an ACL injury suffered in pre-season. The midfielder is determined to play again this season if his recovery goes perfectly, but he knows he cannot afford any setbacks. He has spoken openly about the need to be patient and return only when fully ready.
Tottenham remain hopeful that several players will be fit for the Arsenal clash, but the squad’s depth will again be tested as injuries continue to pile up.
