Tottenham Hotspur defence looking unusually vulnerable ahead of Arsenal trip

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has several defensive concerns ahead of the North London derby.

Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive stability is one of the biggest advantages that they hold over rivals Arsenal.

The Lilywhites have conceded the fewest goals over each of the last two Premier League seasons – 19 fewer than Arsenal in total – thanks to the solid base provided to them by Hugo Lloris and their top-class back three.

However, Spurs risk going into this Saturday’s North London derby with a half-strength defence.

As ESPN reports, Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris are major doubts for the trip to the Emirates Stadium as they continue to recover from hamstring and groin strains respectively.

ESPN adds that Jan Vertonghen is expected to be fit but is still nursing an ankle problem.

Eric Dier should slot in at centre-back seamlessly despite captaining England from midfield against Germany and Brazil, but Davinson Sanchez is another Spurs defender who is unlikely to be at 100%.

According to Sky Sports, the Colombian has endured a 12,116 mile round trip for international duty in Asia this week – nearly twice as far as any Arsenal player and a distance which could take its toll on Sanchez.

All of these concerns leave Tottenham’s defence looking unusually vulnerable, and it will take a big organisational effort from Mauricio Pochettino’s men to ensure that Arsenal cannot capitalise this weekend.