Thomas Frank has downplayed discussions about former summer target Eberechi Eze as Tottenham prepares for their match against rivals Arsenal.
In August, Spurs aimed to secure a significant signing with Eze, but their efforts were thwarted at the last moment when Arsenal swooped in.
In response, Tottenham shifted their attention to Xavi Simons. Despite Eze’s modest performance of two goals and three assists in 17 matches for Arsenal, he will still be under close observation ahead of Sunday’s encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
When asked about Eze, Frank quipped, “Who’s Eze? A very good player. He plays for Arsenal. A team we aim to beat on Sunday.”
As the conversation continued, Frank reiterated his preference to discuss players currently on his roster, expressing satisfaction with his team.
“I prefer talking about the players we have here. The only exceptions I’ll make are [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo,” he added with a smile.
Meanwhile, Frank has warned his team to brace for a “madhouse” atmosphere during the derby and is eager to get the better of the “two traitors” in the opposing lineup.
Tottenham heads to their archrivals on Sunday, seeking only their second Premier League victory at the Emirates since its opening 19 years ago.
Historically, Spurs have struggled in recent North London derbies, but the matches are consistently filled with drama and intensity.
Frank secured a point at Arsenal last season with Brentford, and his inaugural Premier League match in 2021 resulted in a memorable 2-0 victory. However, two players who started that match have since joined Mikel Arteta’s squad: David Raya and Christian Nørgaard.
Upon reflecting on this and the frenzied nature of the derby, Frank joked, “Two of them are now traitors who chose the wrong club!”
“Mikel and I both likely prefer a bit more control, but it’s bound to be chaotic and thoroughly entertaining for fans,” he stated.
“I expect a challenging match, but anything can happen in games like these. The competitiveness and atmosphere help to level things out.”
“We certainly embrace chaos—whether it’s productive or disruptive. We need some of that unpredictability.”
“Chaos can show up in transition, high-pressure plays, and set pieces, all of which we’re keen to leverage.”
“We will never aim for a 0-0 draw. While it might end that way, our goal will always be to win—always, always.”
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Set pieces are anticipated to play a crucial role, with Arsenal leading the league with 12 goals from corners and free kicks this season.
Tottenham has also excelled, netting five such goals in the Premier League after Frank hired Andreas Georgson as their set-piece coach this summer.
Georgson previously worked with Frank at Brentford, and Arsenal’s set-piece expert Nicolas Jover also began his career under Frank’s guidance in west London.
“They both possess a strong desire to learn and develop, especially regarding set pieces,” Frank noted.
“In that regard, they are quite similar. One is Swedish, the other French, so their personalities differ slightly!”
“Mikel and I, along with our coaching staffs, will face a battle—seeking to outsmart each other. The same goes for Nicolas and Andreas.”
“I’ve noticed how my work at Brentford has encouraged many clubs to prioritize set pieces. It’s fascinating that having transitioned from Brentford to Tottenham, the focus on set pieces—especially long throws—has intensified significantly.”
“It seems that all teams are becoming more adamant about their set-piece strategies, which we should capitalize on since they account for a third of our goals. We must excel in various phases of play.”