Tottenham faced a significant blow ahead of their highly anticipated North London derby against Arsenal, with key midfielder Yves Bissouma potentially sidelined due to a groin injury sustained while on international duty with Mali.
Bissouma, who has been in excellent form this season, scored the only goal in Mali’s 1-0 win over Eswatini in their AFCON qualifier. However, the midfielder was forced to leave the match in the second half after suffering a groin issue.
Ange Postecoglou provided an update on Bissouma’s condition, revealing that while the injury is not considered serious, it remains unclear whether the midfielder will be fit in time for Sunday’s derby at the Emirates.
Speaking to the press ahead of the game, he said (quotes via The Standard):
“It’s not serious, but he’s getting treatment today. We’ll see how it goes. It’s a tweak in his groin. The initial reports are that it’s not serious, which means there is a chance for Sunday, which tells me it’s nothing significant.”
Despite this optimism, Postecoglou cautioned that Bissouma’s long flight back from international duty could affect his condition, and a final decision will be made closer to matchday.
Bissouma’s potential absence would be a significant loss for Spurs. The 27-year-old has been a key figure in Tottenham’s midfield, showing excellent form under Postecoglou this season.
His ability to break up play, drive the ball forward, and contribute to both defense and attack has made him an integral part of the team’s new system.
His impressive goal in Spurs’ 4-0 win over Everton last month highlighted his growing influence.
With the North London derby looming, Spurs are hopeful he can recover in time for the clash against their fiercest rivals.
Should Bissouma be unavailable, Postecoglou may have to reshuffle his midfield options. Tottenham will be keen to avoid any further setbacks as they look to continue their strong start to the season and secure a vital win against Arsenal.
