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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Nabil Bentaleb Heading for International Duty with Algeria

By Alexander Balano

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Here’s the early afternoon edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links.

It’s Monday November 9, 2015 and it’s the third international break of the season. Tottenham were able to head into the break with no major injuries except for the ones they currently have (Nabil Bentaleb, Nacer Chadli, Clinton N’Jie and Alex Pritchard — according to Physio Room). Being able to get seven points in three games is a great result, now while it should have been nine points and a win at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal instead of a 1-1 draw. No one can really complain with the effort that Tottenham has displayed since Mauricio Pochettino became the manager nearly 18 months ago (hired on May 27, 2014). Let’s get to the news.

Despite being ruled out for the north London derby last week by Mauricio Pochettino, that didn’t stopped Algeria coach Christian Gourcuff from selecting the 20-year-old midfielder (soon to be 21 on November 24). Bentaleb has only made four Premier League appearances this season and has a lack of first-team football because of injury, so it wouldn’t be wise to play for him to on November 14 and November 17 against Tanzania. Unless this is like Son Heung-min’s case where Nabil Bentaleb is healthy, but was a healthy scratch and will return from the international break.

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Even though Arsenal had an extra day to rest because they played Bayern Munich on Wednesday and had the benefit of playing at home that wasn’t enough. Sure injuries didn’t help — Arsenal has seven injured players — but playing three games in nine days should be better than playing three games in seven days.

In the end though, after a really slow start to the game, the Gunners were able to pick up a point after wading through the first half due to tiredness. Tiredness, shouldn’t be an excuse once the 178th north London derby heads to White Hart Lane, since both teams will obviously be different due to winter transfers, injuries and a change in form.

Yesterday on Sunday November 8, Tottenham Hotspur Ladies were able to leave Honeycraft with a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers Ladies, ending their three-game unbeaten run in the FA Women’s Premier League.

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Bianca Baptiste’s 66th minute goal was the difference and it sealed the three points for Spurs Ladies. Although it could be argued by QPR Ladies that they should have deserved at least a point drawn due to the many chances that they had during the game.

QPR Ladies’ head coach, Martino Chevannes, was looking to continue his team’s winning streak after beating Forest Green Rovers 4-2 in their last game.

Just 19 minutes into the game, midfielder Elly Maggs who scored a brace for the R’s in their 4-2 win, saw her shot go wide which was the Hoops first chance in the game. Shortly after, striker Cherrelle Albert had her shot stopped by Spurs’ keeper Toni-Ann Wayne. Not to be outdone by her opposite number, Hoops keeper, Sophie Cheadle made a couple of fine saves as well.

Cheadle had to stop Spurs’ first attempt that was heading towards the post before making another save from a similar distance but off of a free-kick. Sophie Cheadle would make another great save on a corner just four minutes after the second half was underway.

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Based on the amount of opportunities that QPR Ladies had in this game, which was at five, including the two chances mentioned above from Elly Maggs and Cherrelle Albert. Danielle Puddefoot had two close shots fall short as well. Puddefoot’s first opportunity hit the side of the net from 25-yards out and her second attempt was saved. Finally, Hoops’ striker Jo Wilson who was coming off of the bench, saw her shot saved after beating Spurs’ offsides trap. All of those chances combined with Sophie’s Cheadle performance at goalkeeper wasn’t enough for the R’s as their three-game unbeaten streak came to an end.