Tottenham star Yves Bissouma picks up injury on international break

The international break is almost over and it is only a matter of time before club football returns. Right after the hiatus, Tottenham Hotspur welcome their bitterest rivals Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a much-anticipated North London Derby showdown on Sunday in the Premier League.

Clearly, it is a matter of life and death for both teams in the North London Derby and it will be a battle for bragging rights early in the season. Tottenham have endured a mixed start to the new season, collecting only four points from three Premier League games. They will be looking to bounce back after suffering a frustrating 2-1 away defeat to Newcastle United before the international break.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are preparing for the high-voltage clash and there is a high possibility of us facing a depleted Arsenal side, who will be without the suspended Declan Rice. Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard are doubtful owing to them picking up respective injury problems over the international break, while Mikel Merino has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury.

-> Tottenham’s 5 best PL opening day wins

However, Tottenham have also now been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the derby. According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, Yves Bissouma suffered an injury and was taken off while on international duty with Mali.

The Spurs midfielder scored the opening goal for Mali against Eswatini in the seventh minute, pouncing on a stray pass from the opposition goalkeeper to one of his teammates. He received a pass near the edge of the box and thundered his shot past the Eswatini goalkeeper. Eventually, the goal turned out to be enough for Mali to win the points away in their second Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying group-stage fixture.

However, Yves Bissouma had a premature end to the game. He limped off in the 65th minute after sustaining a knock from a heavy tackle, leaving Tottenham sweating over the African star’s potential fitness ahead of the mega clash on Sunday. Before his forced substitution, the 28-year-old had produced a strong display in the middle of the park and continued his recent form.

Bissouma’s absence against the Gunners will be a big setback for Big Ange’s side as he was just picking up form after putting his early season’s off-field drama behind him. Big Ange does have options in Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to potentially replace the £55,000-per-week star, but he would definitely want the Malian to be fit for the derby.

-> Tottenham Hotspur confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Spurs fans will be praying that Bissouma’s injury is not serious and that he becomes available after the North London Derby.