Toby Alderweireld has been ruled out of Tottenham’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal on Saturday.
Spurs announced on their official Twitter account on Thursday afternoon that star defender Alderweireld will play no part in the first north London derby of the season after breaking down against Real Madrid two weeks ago with a hamstring injury.
Victor Wanyama will also miss out with the knee injury that has sidelined him since August.
TEAM NEWS: @AlderweireldTob (hamstring) & @VictorWanyama (knee} continue their rehabilitation from injury. pic.twitter.com/f16X2Zroio
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 16, 2017
This suggests that the Belgium international is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an injury that is more serious than initially feared.
OPINION
This is a shattering blow for Tottenham. Alderweireld has started all but two of Spurs’ fixtures across all competitions this season and his status as one of Europe’s outstanding centre-backs is without question. Indeed, Jose Mourinho claimed in the wake of Manchester United’s win last month that Tottenham’s defence was the best in Europe. Alderweireld is a key component, and he will be sorely missed over the coming weeks, even though Davison Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier will provide a sturdy rearguard against Arsene Wenger’s side.