Spurs are six games without a win and face a huge fight to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages after losing to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
A month can be a long time in football.
Since beating Manchester City 2-0 in October, Tottenham have found themselves floundering going six games without a win and endured a pretty shocking performance on Wednesday night against Bayer Leverkusen.
Kevin Kampl’s goal condemned Spurs to yet another Wembley defeat and means they face an uphill task to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League after slipping to third place.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier looks dejected after the game
With an early exit to Liverpool in the EFL Cup also proving to be a difficult time for Mauricio Pochettino and co., Sunday’s North London derby has even more importance for Spurs and defeat would only increase the pressure on Pochettino with this season already threatening to derail.
But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. A positive result at Arsenal would no doubt get Tottenham back on track and despite the disappointment at their poor showing in midweek, here are three reasons to stay optimistic at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane
1. Harry Kane is on his way back
Oh how Spurs have desperately missed Harry Kane. In their six-games winless run just one goal has been scored from open play with the other two coming from the penalty spot.
In short, Tottenham look a toothless side without the England man up top and his return to training comes at a welcome time.
Although unlikely to start at the Emirates, the man who hit 25 Premier League goals last year will be itching to get himself back in contention and Spurs will be desperate for him to be back amongst the goals.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min and Danny Rose celebrate after Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov scores an own goal and the first for Tottenham
2. Three points off the top of the league
They may be on a shaky run of form but they still remain the only team unbeaten in the Premier League and are only three points off the top.
Far-fetched given their current level of performances, but a win against Arsenal would put Spurs back among the Premier League’s elite and give themselves a much-needed confidence boost.
Even a point at the Emirates would be a great result for Spurs who are within touching distance of the summit and shouldn’t be written off for the title just yet.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli celebrates scoring their second goal
3. Still a work in progress
Tottenham’s woeful display on Wednesday night and the criticism that followed is an indicator of how high the bar has been set since Pochettino’s arrival.
This is still a side very much in transition that somehow managed to wriggle their way into a title challenge last season.
Many players are still yet to reach their potential and it is going to take time for this Spurs side to get consistency in their game.
A lot of players need to step up and improve their performances, but a lack of form is part and parcel of football and all it takes is a win to revitalise Tottenham and get them going again.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min celebrates after the game
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