Spurs’ struggles intensify as pressure builds on Thomas Frank

**A growing sense of unease surrounds Thomas Frank after Tottenham Hotspur’s painful 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, a performance so lifeless that both Frank and Guglielmo Vicario apologised to supporters for the lack of fight. The disappointment was only deepened by the fact that Eberechi Eze, a player Spurs nearly signed in the summer before he returned to his boyhood club, was the star of the show.

Despite sitting just three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, Spurs have taken only four points from their last five league games. Momentum has evaporated, and the problems are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Here, we break down what is going wrong.

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DEFENSIVE SETUP: A PLAN THAT BACKFIRED

Frank opted for a back five, a structure that brought him notable success at Brentford against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. But Spurs are a different proposition, with a fanbase that demands aggressive, entertaining football.

This pragmatism has worked for him previously at Spurs, particularly in the UEFA Super Cup win against Paris Saint-Germain and the 2-0 victory over Manchester City in August. In both matches, Spurs scored first. At the Emirates, they did not, and the entire strategy fell apart.

After the match, Frank admitted Spurs failed to implement the pressing intensity he had planned. “We tried to come here and be aggressive and press high… we didn’t succeed with that… we got pushed back and got a little too passive,” he said. But he dismissed suggestions that the formation itself was at fault, adding, “I don’t think it’s about the system.”

Yet it is difficult to separate the system from the performance. Sitting off Arsenal gave them time, space and confidence. Even accounting for Arsenal’s impressive form this season, Spurs ceded too much initiative.

LACK OF INVENTION: A BLUNT ATTACK

While the defensive shape raised eyebrows, the attacking impotence was even more alarming. This was the third straight league game where Spurs looked completely devoid of ideas.

They were poor against Chelsea, and the dramatic ending to their draw with Manchester United masked long spells of ineffectiveness. Here, their attacking output was virtually non-existent.

The numbers are damning. Spurs registered an xG of 0.05 against Chelsea and 0.07 against Arsenal, the two lowest figures recorded in the Premier League this season. They failed to produce a single shot in the first half, and by full-time Arsenal had scored as many goals as Spurs had managed touches in the box.

Midfield selection contributed to the problem. Starting Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur ahead of three centre backs offered defensive security but little chance of progressing the ball. Arsenal’s back line was makeshift, with Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel missing, and Piero Hincapie making his first Premier League start. Yet Spurs barely challenged them.

Frank changed shape at half time, replacing Kevin Danso with Xavi Simons. Within a minute, Eze scored again. Simons did inject some urgency and carried the ball well, including one powerful run that earned Declan Rice a booking. He has been inconsistent since joining from RB Leipzig, but his creativity is essential for a team lacking spark.

INJURIES: KEY PLAYERS UNAVAILABLE AT THE WORST TIME

The absences of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke have been hugely damaging. Solanke’s ability to drop deep or attack space is central to Spurs’ forward movement. Maddison and Kulusevski provide guile, dribbling quality and incisive passing.

Maddison is out for the season with an ACL injury. Solanke and Kulusevski may return soon, but for now the creative burden rests heavily on Mohammed Kudus, who is talented but inconsistent, and Wilson Odobert, who is still rebuilding sharpness after a long-term hamstring issue.

The result is an attacking unit lacking chemistry, direction and threat.

SQUAD BUILDING: AN UNBALANCED SUMMER WINDOW

After finishing 17th under Ange Postecoglou yet qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, Spurs needed a smart, impactful summer window. Instead, they ended up with a squad that feels mismatched and incomplete.

Spurs aimed to sign Premier League-proven talent. They missed out on Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White, eventually turning to Simons when negotiations stalled. Daniel Levy’s slow approach with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish proved costly.

Despite an underwhelming loan spell, the club spent heavily on Mathys Tel, only to leave him out of their Champions League squad. Kota Takai has yet to play due to injury. Randal Kolo Muani has suffered a dead leg and a fractured jaw, limiting his involvement.

Frank is responsible for results, but Levy, Vinai Venkatesham, Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici must also face scrutiny for a recruitment strategy that failed to deliver the necessary balance or depth.

WHAT COMES NEXT: A CRUCIAL RUN OF MATCHES

Spurs always expected October and November to be difficult, with fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa. After Wednesday’s Champions League game against PSG, the schedule softens. Their next four league matches are against Fulham, Newcastle United, Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

These games will be crucial. They represent a real opportunity to reset momentum, regain confidence and stabilise the season. Failure to capitalise may intensify questions not just about Frank’s methods, but about the wider direction of the club.

For now, Spurs remain within reach of the top four. But unless the team’s attacking structure, injury situation and tactical clarity improve quickly, the pressure on Thomas Frank will only increase.