Tottenham Hotspur's defensive woes have been further compounded with the news that star player Destiny Udogie will miss the North London derby against Arsenal on 15 January due to a hamstring injury. This latest setback adds to an already growing list of defensive absences for Spurs.
Udogie, a dynamic left-back and Italy international, suffered the injury during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 22-year-old limped off and was replaced by Sergio Reguilón, who made his first Premier League appearance since 2022. Initial reports suggest that Udogie could be sidelined until March, delivering a significant blow to Spurs' defense.
Growing list of absences
The absence of Udogie exacerbates an already critical situation for Tottenham’s defense. Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies are all unavailable due to injuries while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also out of action. Radu Drăgușin reportedly picked up a problem in the same Wolves match as well.
The timing couldn't be worse for Tottenham as they prepare for a challenging run of fixtures on the back foot after just one win in their last seven Premier League matches. Before facing Arsenal, Spurs will play Newcastle United and Liverpool (Carabao Cup), followed by Tamworth (FA Cup). These games could significantly shape their season.
Managerial challenges
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou faces another challenge in what has become a trying period for his team. Despite retaining the backing of the board amidst this slump, he faces an uphill task balancing demands from his depleted squad with high-stakes Premier League matches without altering his system to suit circumstances.
Destiny Udogie’s absence only amplifies these challenges for Tottenham. The team will need to dig deep and find a way to navigate through this difficult period, especially with crucial fixtures on the horizon.
