Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been dealt a blow regarding Ivan Perisic ahead of Sunday’s North London derby with Arsenal at the Emirates.
The Croatian midfielder – who has come off the bench in five of Spurs’ Premier League matches this season – recently suffered an ACL injury in training and could miss the rest of the season as he prepares undergo a surgery.
Perisic will soon join the long list of injury operations currently at Tottenham, namely Bryan Gil (groin), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle), while Giovani Lo Celso is still suspected of having a thigh problem.
Perisic’s absence will make no difference to Spurs’ backline as Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie all prepare for their debuts in the north London derby in hostile territory.
Pedro Porro and Cristian Romero will join the trio in defense as always, while Yves Bissouma is expected to play a deeper midfielder role again, but he may have to work harder against first with Mikel’s Arteta.
The onus will fall on colleagues Pape Sarr and James Maddison to provide more defensive support if required, while Dejan Kulusevski – who scored the 100th-minute winner against Sheffield United last weekend – will play striker alongside Captain Son Heung-min. .
Richarlison was named on the bench against the Blades after a difficult time off the field, but the Brazilian inspired Spurs’ stunning comeback with a goal and assist. created in stoppage time, and he is now considered ready for a comeback against Manor Solomon.
Tottenham Hotspur’s expected starting lineup:
Represent; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Jr.
