Thomas Frank Lightens Tension Ahead of North London Derby

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank adopted a light-hearted approach while previewing the eagerly anticipated north London derby against Arsenal, scheduled for March 10, 2024. Frank, known for his jovial demeanor, playfully referred to former Brentford players Christian Nørgaard and David Raya—now part of the Arsenal squad—as “traitors” for joining what he called the “wrong club.” His remarks aimed to diffuse some of the tension surrounding this fierce rivalry.

As the two teams prepare to clash at the Emirates Stadium, Frank expressed a desire to maintain control during what is often a chaotic encounter. He acknowledged that, despite both he and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta preferring a more controlled game, the derby is likely to be a “madhouse.” Frank commented, “It will probably be a madhouse and very, very enjoyable to watch for the outside people or fans.”

He expects a challenging game, highlighting the unpredictable nature of derbies. “Everything also evens out a little bit more because it’s so competitive and the atmosphere in the stadium,” Frank stated. His intention to keep the mood light was evident, especially when he humorously recalled his first Premier League match as a manager—a 2-0 victory over Arsenal four years ago.

Only four players from that match remain in the current squads, and Frank took the opportunity to jest, saying, “And two of them are now traitors and moved to the wrong club.”

The conversation shifted to Eberechi Eze, a former Crystal Palace player whose potential move to Tottenham fell through over the summer. Frank played coy, asking, “Who’s Eze?” before a reporter clarified that he is Arsenal’s No. 10, prompting laughter in the press room. “Very good player,” Frank noted, adding, “He plays for Arsenal. A team we want to beat on Sunday.”

When pressed further on Eze, Frank redirected the discussion, saying, “I really like to speak about players who are here.” He humorously added that he would only discuss Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo if not about his current players.

Eze’s transfer saga was intriguing, as he was reportedly prepared to join Tottenham before ultimately deciding to go to Arsenal after a late phone call from Arteta. “It’s all about timing in football,” Arteta reflected this week, confirming that he sensed Eze’s desire to join his boyhood club.

Arteta expressed satisfaction with Eze’s impact, stating, “I’m very glad that it did work… I’m very happy with what he’s doing, what he can do for the club and the team, and it’s just the start of the journey.”

As the north London derby approaches, both managers are aware that while the atmosphere is charged with rivalry, the focus remains on securing victory for their respective teams. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter that fans across the globe will closely follow.