Whether Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven will be fit to face Arsenal in the North London Derby

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Tottenham Hotspur are set to face Arsenal in the North London derby with so much already riding on the fixture just four games into the new season.

Spurs have had an underwhelming start to the new campaign having picked up just four points from their opening three matches.

Ange Postecoglou’s side dropped points against Leicester City and Newcastle United, both in which they failed to make their dominance count.

Tottenham were lacking a presence up top at St James’ Park with Dominic Solanke missing the game due to an ankle issue.

Micky van de Ven’s absence was also felt as Newcastle managed to exploit Spurs’ high line for their second goal.

Ahead of the North London derby, the Lilywhites have been told whether or not the duo are expected to be fit to feature.

Solanke and van de Ven expected to be fit to face Arsenal

Solanke and Van de Ven are expected to be fit for the North London derby, according to Alasdair Gold. The Tottenham journalist claims Postecoglou’s words before the international break suggest a fortnight off is likely to have been enough time for both to make a full recovery.

Solanke suffered a knock to his ankle in training just after the 1-1 draw with Leicester which has seen him miss the last two matches.

Meanwhile, Spurs took no risks with Van de Ven and rested him against Newcastle with the Dutch defender having picked up a minor knee injury against Everton.

Speaking about whether the duo will be fit for Arsenal, Gold said on Football.London: “We can only go on Ange Postecoglou’s words and he said Dominic Solanke will be ready to face Arsenal.

“It sounded the same with Micky van de Ven as he said he was ‘close in training this week but with the international break he’s not quite 100 percent’.

“With a further two weeks of recovery and work under their belts you would imagine both will be in a position to face Arsenal, but we’ll get the final word on Postecoglou on Friday.”

Solanke and van de Ven will be intergeral vs Arsenal

The North London club’s defeat to Newcastle highlighted the importance of both Solanke and van de Ven to Postecoglou’s system.

Radu Dragusin did a great job against Newcastle, however, the visitors missed Van de Ven’s pace when playing such a high line against a player as good as Alexander Isak.

In attack, Tottenham spurned a hateful of chances and were in clear need of a striker to lead the line. Solanke was unlucky not to have opened his account against Leicester but showed what a handful he could be going forward.

The North London club had 20 attempts at goal against Eddie Howe’s side and Spurs’ record signing may well have been the difference between defeat and victory.