Tottenham Hotspur's arch rivals Arsenal have picked up where they left off from last season when they finally won the Premier League, as they are back in the title picture after five Matchdays, sitting only behind Manchester City in the league table. Meanwhile, after barely surviving relegation last season, Spurs are 20th and without a win, having been shut out of four of their first five matches.
Spurs don't face Arsenal until Dec. 5, but after losing 3-0 to the Gunners in back to back Premier League meetings last season, the challenge has already been delivered to Roberto De Zerbi to improve on Thomas Frank's embarrassments at the hands of Mikel Arteta. Tottenham were so futile against Eberechi Eze and Co. that Frank, holding an Arsenal cup, was accused, in almost half jest, of being a hired agent by Arsenal.
Tottenham are already big underdogs against Arsenal, but it looks like things could get tougher for them in December. Because according to a report from French journalist Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport, Arsenal star center back William Saliba could make his return to the team by December, sooner than expected. Hawkins says that the world class central defender is going through recovery from his offseason back fracture but could make his return if all goes well.
Tottenham are already struggling to score
So now Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham Hotspur have to put that on their radar, and it's not like the Arsenal defense still hasn't been incredible even without Saliba. The likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, and Cristhian Mosquera are all excellent defenders.
Plus, it's not like Tottenham are scoring against even weaker Premier League defenses. Dominic Solanke, Omar Marmoush, and Mathys Tel have all failed to score or assist this season in the Premier League, and Solanke and Tel, in particular, have looked nowhere near top flight quality in the 2026/27 season thus far.
If Saliba is back in the lineup for Arsenal by that time, then Tottenham's terrible attack will be going up against the stonewall best center back partnership in English football between Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
There is a lot of time between now and then, and early December is cutting it close. So Spurs should be safe. Should be. But Fabrice Hawkins's report is a reminder that Spurs can't count their fortunes, and they could be in for another humbling in the North London Derby if things don't turn around soon.
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