Ange Postecoglou warns Tottenham players over Arsenal ‘trap’

Ange Postecoglou has warned his Tottenham players against thinking that Arsenal are a weakened team for the north London derby.

Mikel Arteta will be without Declan Rice due to suspension, while Martin Odegaard is a major doubt after suffering an ankle injury whilst on international duty with Norway this week.

Arsenal have made a positive start to the new campaign with two wins and a draw in their opening three games, while Spurs are looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle before the international break.

Spurs host Arsenal in the first north London derby of the season on Sunday but Postecoglou has dismissed suggestions that Arteta’s side will be less of a threat without Rice and Odegaard.

‘God, that’s a hell of a trap to fall into, if you think they [Arsenal] are reliant on two players,’ Postecoglou said.

‘Two important players, but we were missing key players last year as well and we still managed to give significant performances.

‘A team like Arsenal have been very, very consistent over the last two years and can fill whatever gaps they have. They have quality in their squad. The key for us is to focus on our performance.

‘When we’ve played well, and we certainly have played well in the first three games, if we are] a little more clear-headed in both boxes, we’re a match for any team. That’s what we’ve got to think about at the weekend.

‘If we go in there thinking they’re somehow weakened, we’re going to get punished.

‘f we go into it thinking they’re going to be very strong, which I think they will be, then we’ve got to be at our best. We know, at our best and playing the football that we can, we can match them.’

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