Ange Postecoglou shared his thoughts on Tottenham’s preparation ahead of their upcoming North London Derby against Arsenal, following an “unusual” two-week break. His players have made the most of the time off but are eager to return to action after suffering a heavy defeat at Newcastle. He acknowledged, “You always prefer playing games, especially during this busy period in football. But we’ve worked hard during the break and are now looking forward to getting back on the pitch.”
Despite the disappointing performance at Newcastle, Postecoglou doesn’t believe it will have a lingering impact on the derby. “It’s not something we’ll dwell on. The players have learned a lot from that game, but in a derby, what happened in the past is irrelevant. The focus is on the task ahead.”
Regarding the injury to Destiny Udogie, Postecoglou expressed his disappointment. “It’s unfortunate for Destiny and for us as a team. He’s been a key part of our season, but the operation went well, and hopefully, he’ll be ready for pre-season.” On a more positive note, he confirmed that Pedro Porro and Richarlison have both trained throughout the week and will be available for selection.
Looking ahead to the derby and subsequent fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool, Postecoglou views these matches as valuable tests. “Every game is an opportunity to gauge our progress. I have a good idea of where we stand and what we need to improve. These games are a chance to measure ourselves against the teams we want to consistently challenge.”
Postecoglou is also excited about hosting the big game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “At this stage of the season, you want to be playing for something significant. The upcoming games are important, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we measure up. It’s an opportunity to play against top teams and continue our development.”
When asked if the North London Derby is the biggest game of his tenure so far, Postecoglou emphasized his approach to each match. “I treat every game with the utmost seriousness. I’ve tried to instill that mindset in the team. Every game should feel like the biggest one. That said, I understand the significance of the derby and what it means to the fans. It will be a tough, intense match in a fantastic atmosphere.”
He also had words of praise for Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta. “Arteta has done an outstanding job. The club recognized him as the right person to lead them forward, and they’ve supported him in building a team capable of sustained success. They’ve been challenging for the top for the past couple of years, and that speaks to their discipline and vision.”