Thomas Frank risks angering Tottenham’s fanbase by sending a big tribute to the club’s bitter North London rival Arsenal. Frank is preparing for his first campaign to take charge of the Spurs, with some of his preparations including a derby clash in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Tottenham were 36 points behind Arsenal in the Premier League last season. Their 17th place finish is enough to bag Ange Postecoglou, despite him leading his team to a Europa League victory. The Gunners had their own disappointment to deal with when they finished runner-up in the title race of their third consecutive campaign, but in Frank the Gulf between the two sides will not be lost.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the “friendly” showdown in Asian soil, Dane said: “I think it’s a big challenge, and in addition to being our biggest rival and the first North London Derby outside the UK, it is still one of the best teams.
“If you do that, it’s a big test. But it’s more than a test. Against Arsenal, of course, it’s not only friendly, but it’s the game you can do to win.”
Tottenham began the preseason with an overwhelming draw between Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town. Frank takes a step against high-caribl’s opposition at Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich before the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain on August 13th, and hopes to see the club’s Premier League opening game against Burnley three days later.
Apart from the loan becoming a permanent and future prospect, the £55 million Mohamed Kudus is the only out-of-first-team signature Tottenham has made this summer.
Arsenal is one of the Spurs’ Premier League rival groups, which are quite busy in the transfer market. And Frank has his card close to his chest, but he wants to see more activity from Tottenham’s board while he still has the opportunity to attack.
“The (very place I want to enhance) is of course what I want to keep private,” he explained. “We know where we want to strengthen our teams in general. Kudus already shows his quality. Of course, we’re looking.”
