Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up to face Arsenal in their second North London Derby of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and new manager Igor Tudor is giving refreshingly straight-to-the-point injury updates, including relieving news on Dominic Solanke's status.
Arsenal are in the lead in the Premier League table, whereas Tottenham are five points above relegation. These two historic rivals could not be in any more different positions heading into Sunday's derby, but after losing 4-1 in an embarrassing and cowardly defeat the first time out, Spurs have all the pressure off them because they can't do any worse.
New manager Igor Tudor inherits a talented Tottenham side that his predecessor Thomas Frank did an emabarrassing job of coaching, failing to get the most of the quailty in his side. However, Tottenham are ravaged by injuries, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and Mohammed Kudus all out with long-term absences.
Tottenham will have Dominic Solanke available
The good news is that Tottenham are getting key players back from short-term issues. In the press conference prior to Sunday's derby, via Football.London's Alasdair Gold, Tudor revealed that striker Richarlison will be ready to play in the match. Starting striker Dominic Solanke will also be out there after a throat issue, which required antibiotics. And although he stated right back Pedro Porro will not be available against Arsenal, he will be healthy enough to return next week against another London rival in Fulham, so that's also technically a significant positive for Spurs.
Tudor said, "[Dominic Solanke] had some problems during the week with his throat. He has taken some antibiotics but he'll be available for the game," he said. "Richy is back. Tel was there. Others you already know. [Porro] no. Next week."
The most crucial injury update here for Tottenham is Solank'e availability against Arsenal. Honestly, Tottenham would not be in a good position to beat the Gunners without the star striker, who has been the team's most in-form attacker since recovering from a severe foot injury that cost him the majority of the season.
But Solanke has hit the ground running with no issues, even exceeding expectations on an attacking team otherwise performing at a poor level. So confirmation that the well-rounded Solanke, who has been in form in front of goal of late, will be ready to challenge Arsenal's all-world center back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes is another boost of hope Spurs need with Tudor aiming to shock Mikel Arteta.
Richarlison tends to turn it up in derbies, dating back to his days with Everton against Liverpool, and he at least shows more effort than Randal Kolo Muani. Having him as an option off the bench to run at Arsenal and hound out goal-scoring opportunities late if Tottenham need a goal would also be a positive.
Finally, having Mathys Tel out there on the left wing will be a boon, and Spurs fans hope Tudor can actually use him and believe in their potential future superstar, as opposed to whatever malpractice Frank was committing with him.
Then there is Porro. The time off might actually be good for a player who was looking leggy and even fatigued with his decision-making. Djed Spence can start at right back competently until Porro is ready to be 100 percent for Tudor vs. Fulham.