Thomas Frank Unleashes Playful Barbs at 'Two Traitors' Ahead of Explosive North London Derby
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank adopted a lighthearted approach when discussing one of the Premier League's most intense rivalries.
The Danish manager playfully labeled former Brentford duo Christian Nørgaard and David Raya in Arsenal's lineup as "traitors" who chose the "incorrect side" while also making light of the sensitive subject of Eberechi Eze after his summer rejection of Tottenham.
Frank showed no interest in fueling the heated animosity between the two north London clubs ahead of their Sunday afternoon clash at the Emirates Stadium. The Spurs manager explained that he doesn't particularly relish the "chaotic" nature that this London derby typically delivers.
"What's fascinating is that likely both Mikel [Arteta, Arsenal boss] and myself would prefer slightly more control, but it will probably turn into chaos and be extremely entertaining for neutral observers and supporters," Frank stated.
"I anticipate a challenging match naturally, but one that could swing either way with anything possible in encounters like this. Everything balances out somewhat because it's so fiercely contested and the stadium atmosphere."
Frank's strategy to minimize that expected pandemonium involved wit.
The former Brentford manager was reminded that his debut Premier League game was a 2–0 triumph against Arsenal four years prior. Just four players from that match will feature against Tottenham this weekend. With a mischievous glint, Frank cut off the journalist to declare: "And two of them have become traitors and joined the incorrect side," speaking of Raya and Nørgaard who were in Brentford's winning team that afternoon.
Frank: "Who's Eze?"
Frank handled the inquiry about Eze's unsuccessful transfer to Spurs predictably. "Who's Eze?" the Danish manager inquired, keeping a straight face long enough to confuse a reporter who clarified he meant Arsenal's number 10 before the media room erupted in laughter alongside Frank.
"Excellent talent," the Spurs manager remarked with a grin. "He represents Arsenal. A side we aim to defeat on Sunday."
"I prefer discussing players who are currently here," Frank stated when Eze was mentioned again. "The only other two I'll discuss are [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo."
The former Crystal Palace creator might well have been among Frank's squad in an alternate timeline. After arrangements with Tottenham were finalized this summer, it was an eleventh-hour conversation from Eze to Arteta that helped secure a transfer to his childhood team.
As the 27-year-old recently revealed, he was "ready to join Tottenham" before making a late change of heart.
"It's all about perfect timing in football," Arteta commented on the situation this week. "My impression when I conversed with him was that he genuinely wanted to sign."
"I'm delighted that it succeeded," the Arsenal manager added, "it worked out brilliantly, I'm thrilled with his contributions, what he brings to the club and squad and this is merely the beginning of his journey."