Three reasons Tottenham Hotspur is happy to have Lucas Moura back
By Aaron Coe
If Tottenham was going to get any of their remaining injured players back for the Arsenal game, Spurs are thankful that player is Lucas Moura
Tottenham suffering injuries early
Although the season is still young, Tottenham Hotspur has suffered its share of injuries. Thankfully, none have been season-ending, but there have certainly been enough injuries and absences in the same positions to impact the team over several matches, with the attacking line being one of the hardest hit.
Some players have had to play out of position, while others have had to carry a larger minute load than the club might like. A few players have already returned – like Heung-Min Son and Eric Dier – still, others remain out – see Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon.
Fortunately, Tottenham has one more key cog returning for Arsenal in Lucas Moura. Here are three reasons that are a big deal for Spurs.
Reason 1: Spurs are short on attacking depth
Even with everyone healthy, Tottenham really only has five senior players – and a 17-year-old – to play across the three main attacking positions. Over the last two matches, Tottenham has started Giovani Lo Celso in the attacking three and that is just not his position.
If you takeaway Lo Celso, Spurs have Son, Moura, Bergwijn, Harry Kane, and Bryan Gil. Jack Clarke is on the squad, mostly because he refused a loan, and then Dane Scarlett is often selected as part of the matchday squad but is not ready for prime time quite yet.
Starting from the base of five, main attackers, when you start taking one or two away it really impacts the team.
Whether Lucas starts up top in the three with Son and Kane or Gil starts and Lucas comes in later, at least Nuno Espirito Santo has some options. He could even go with Lo Celso, although he is more of a left midfielder than a left-wing. With four bonafide attackers back in the squad, it should afford Tottenham a bit more pep.