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Thomas Frank has had a solid start to life at Tottenham and is being backed to take Spurs high up the Premier League table
Tottenham have been backed to finish second in the Premier League, just behind Arsenal, ahead of the first North London Derby of the season.
Spurs make the short trip to face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday knowing they must turn around their horrific record in this fixture in recent years. The Lilywhites have lost five of their last six games against the Gunners and have not won against their arch rivals since May 2022.
Under Thomas Frank this season, though, Tottenham have been more solid defensively and currently find themselves fifth in the Premier League. They are still eight points behind league leaders Arsenal but know a win or draw will help them in their quest to finish in the top four.
In fact, Frank's side have been backed to finish second by former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna. When asked for his top four prediction, Sagna, speaking to Reece Mennie on his podcast, said: "Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Man City.
"People will say, but why would you say Tottenham? I saw them playing against Arsenal on pre-season. It's a long time I didn't see Tottenham playing this way. It's a long time I didn't see the intensity they put in defending, in reshaping the team, in taking players on one-on-one, technically, players at that level.
"And I was impressed. I was like, woah, you know what, this season they're going to be competing. I'm happy because I'm a football lover, to see them coming because I like competition.
"So I'm looking forward to see the Arsenal vs Tottenham game because this is what I like the most. And, of course, I support Arsenal, but as a football lover and for what it takes and for the showcase they will put on, I think it's good for football in general. So I'm happy to see them at the level they are because I love football more than anything and I like to see competitive games."
Under Frank this season, Tottenham have won five, drawn three and lost three of their 11 games in the league. While they have recorded an impressive win against Man City, they suffered embarrassing defeats to Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Chelsea at home.
The players were booed after that loss to Chelsea and Frank already knows how difficult it is to be consistent in the Premier League. "All the players are of course frustrated," Frank said after the 1-0 loss. "They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform well, so I understand that.
"I think it is difficult to be consistent in good times and in bad times. That is why I went around to the fans as I did. It is more fun when we win, I can tell you that."
Tottenham performed much better in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United just before the November international break and Frank will be hoping his side can build on that against Arsenal. The goal remains finishing in the top four but whether that happens may well just depend on consistency.
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