Postecoglou issues Richarlison injury update ahead of Arsenal match
Tottenham forward Richarlison is set to return from injury and start in Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal.
Spurs have had a two-week break, allowing Richarlison to recover fully from a knee injury that had sidelined him since February 17, disrupting his impressive run of nine goals in 10 matches.
In Richarlison’s absence, Tottenham struggled for consistency, suffering a 4-0 defeat at Newcastle two weeks ago. However, the Brazilian international’s return promises to add a different dimension to the team and provide the physicality needed against Arsenal’s solid defense.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou expressed his satisfaction with Richarlison’s return, stating, “When he’s been in, he’s been really good for us but then had two injuries and started the season with an injury. Great to have him back and it does give us other options in that front third.”
Postecoglou emphasized the importance of having Richarlison fit, especially with Harry Kane absent for part of the season. He said, “Richy’s looked good in training this week, which is good and he’s obviously ready to go. We’re going to need him over the last six games and it does give us another good option in that front third.”
Although Postecoglou did not confirm whether Richarlison would start, he did reveal that Ben Davies would be in the starting XI due to Destiny Udogie’s absence, who will miss the rest of the season after thigh surgery. Davies will face Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and has an impressive record of four wins from four whenever he has started a home north London derby.
The upcoming derby holds significant importance, as a victory for Arsenal would bring them closer to their first league title in 20 years. Postecoglou expressed his desire for Tottenham to be in a similar position next year, saying, “When it gets to this time of the year, I want us to be one of the ones fighting for that ultimate prize.”
However, Postecoglou is not interested in a long-term plan akin to Arsenal’s five-year strategy under Mikel Arteta. He wants Tottenham to progress faster. He said, “When I think of the challenges I’ve put to this group of players… I haven’t wavered in not making excuses for them. I love the fact that they haven’t sought that.”
“So on my side, I am purposely being hard on them because some of the potential in this group is pretty exciting and I don’t want to limit that. They’ve said, ‘OK, we are a new group’, it could be so easy to say this is a new five-year project, but we want to be better than that, we want to get in quicker than that. So from that perspective, I am proud (of them).”
Postecoglou issues Richarlison injury update ahead of Arsenal match
