Udogie’s absence could hurt Spurs in defence and attack against Arsenal

When it was confirmed over the weekend that Destiny Udogie would sit out the rest of the season, Tottenham supporters were understandably devastated. The Italian has enjoyed a whirlwind debut campaign at Spurs following his loan spell with Udinese last season, consolidating a first-team spot and becoming a key player for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Yes, the form has dipped in recent weeks, though that may be symptomatic of a wider problem with Spurs, but he had nailed down the starting left-back role. In short, to lose Udogie with matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City looming is a disaster. Much of that is down to how Spurs play. With the full-backs granted license to push forwards, the Italian helps to bulk out the midfield, granting his attacking teammates freedom to hurt opponents.

Even with the space vacated when Udogie attacks, he has the defensive awareness and speed to ensure he isn’t caught out too often. This is evident in his average of 2.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League, while there is the desire to help stretch opponents when Spurs do press upfield, a talent honed during his time playing wing-back for Udinese.

As such, Spurs are robbed of a key component that makes Postecoglou’s system so effective. While Ben Davies is solid defensively, it’s fair to say they are far less potent in the final third and more prone to the wings being exploited with Udogie absent. So to lose him is a huge blow, starting with Sunday’s game against Arsenal as they seek to derail their rivals’ title bid and get their top-four hopes back on track.

It’s made worse by the potential absence of Pedro Porro on the opposite flank. The Spaniard was forced off in Spurs’ 4-0 loss at Newcastle earlier this month owing to a hamstring issue and while he was able to walk off at St James’ Park, Porro is a major doubt for the north London derby.

To lose one of Udogie or Porro is manageable for Spurs, but to lose both hurts them as an attacking force. There is a huge dip in dynamism, which was evident in the 2-1 home loss to Wolves in February. Davies and Emerson Royal deputised for the pair in that defeat and the drop in quality at full-back was evident. The duo aren’t poor stand-ins on their respective flanks but if they are forced into action in the current setup, then Spurs will struggle at both ends of the pitch.

A lot, then, will be riding on Porro’s fitness before they host Arsenal. He is expected to be up against one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard and Porro has shown the requisite improvements to his defensive game that means he has adjusted seamlessly to Postecoglou’s demands when it seemed as though he would struggle. What’s crucial is that it hasn’t affected the former Sporting player’s attacking output, with his seven league assists second only to Kieran Trippier (10) of defenders in the Premier League this season.

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The defensive capability will not only help to keep either Martinelli or Trossard at bay but peg the pair back as they seek to provide the adequate protection for the defence when Porro gets forward to support the attack. While Emerson boasts the athleticism to recover defensively, there is a noticeable dip in the final third when the Brazilian deputises for his Spanish teammate.

Against Wolves Emerson failed to play a single key pass before his 85th-minute withdrawal, while Spurs over the 90 minutes managed only four shots on target, their joint-lowest in a home league match this season, and this was at home to a side that are conceding 14.5 shots per game, the sixth most in the division. By comparison, only Manchester City (eight) are conceding fewer shots per game than Arsenal (8.3) in England’s top tier. Away from home, the Gunners’ 9.2 shots allowed per game is the lowest return.

If both first-choice full-backs are absent for the derby then Spurs fans could be in for a long 90 minutes, ultimately failing to stop the Gunners in their title charge and face the indignity of watching Arsenal celebrate St Totteringham’s Day – the point when Tottenham can no longer catch their local rivals – up close and personal.