Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has provocatively labelled two Arsenal players as 'traitors' ahead of this weekend's highly anticipated North London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spurs boss was referring to goalkeeper David Raya and midfielder Christian Norgaard, who both played under him at Brentford before moving to the red side of London.
Frank's 'Traitors' Remark and Madhouse Prediction
Reminded of his past success with the duo and the typically frantic nature of the derby, Frank smiled and declared: "Two of them are now traitors and moved to the wrong club!"
He went on to set the scene for Sunday's clash, admitting that while both he and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta prefer controlled games, this fixture often defies such plans. "It will probably be a madhouse and very, very enjoyable to watch for the outside people or fans," Frank stated.
He expects a difficult match where "anything can happen", emphasising that the electric atmosphere levels the playing field. Frank also outlined his football philosophy, asserting his team will "always, always, always" play to win, even if the match ultimately ends in a stalemate.
The Set-Piece Battle: A Key Derby Subplot
A significant tactical battle is expected from dead-ball situations. Arsenal lead the Premier League this season with an impressive 12 goals from corners and free-kicks.
Tottenham, however, have also been effective, scoring five set-piece goals after Frank hired specialist coach Andreas Georgson. Intriguingly, both Georgson and Arsenal's set-piece guru, Nicolas Jover, began their coaching journeys under Frank at Brentford.
Frank described the two set-piece experts as having a similar, curious mindset, albeit with different temperaments. "One is Swedish, the other French so a little bit different temper!" he noted.
He sees their duel as a microcosm of the larger managerial battle, adding: "Mikel and I with our coaching staffs will have a battle – how can we get the upper hand? And it will be the same with Nicolas and Andreas."
Spurs Seeking to Overcome Poor Emirates Record
The historical context adds pressure on Tottenham. Spurs have only won once at the Emirates Stadium in the 19 years since it opened, giving them a poor recent record in this away fixture.
Frank, however, has personal positive memories from the ground. He secured a point there with Brentford last season, and his very first Premier League match in charge of the Bees in 2021 ended in a memorable 2-0 victory – a game in which both Raya and Norgaard started for his side.
Reflecting on the wider impact of his methods, Frank believes his work at Brentford inspired a league-wide focus on set-pieces. "It seems like everyone are very, very focused on them, which we should be," he said. "They’re a third of our goals. So why not be very good in that phase."
