Thomas Frank Praises Mohammed Kudus For Outstanding Performance In North London Derby Win

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Thomas Frank praised Mohammed Kudus for his performance in Tottenham's pre-season friendly win over Arsenal. Kudus, who transferred from West Ham United to Spurs for £55 million earlier this month, played 63 minutes in their 1-0 victory at Kai Tak Sports Park. Pape Sarr's long-range goal just before half-time secured Frank's first win in a north London derby.

Frank also highlighted the defensive strength of his team, noting that the clean sheet against Arsenal marked their third in four pre-season matches. Last season, Spurs conceded 65 goals in the Premier League, ranking fifth-highest in the division. Under Ange Postecoglou, they managed only six clean sheets. Frank sees the recent performance as a promising base to build upon.

Despite Arsenal having a higher expected goals (xG) total of 1.03 from 16 shots compared to Spurs' 0.34 from six attempts, Tottenham appeared largely untroubled throughout the match. Kudus stood out with eight possessions won and three fouls earned, both team-highs. He also completed two successful dribbles and engaged in 13 duels, matching Djed Spence's efforts.

"I think he was really good today," Frank said about Kudus. "His hold-up play and ability to manage the ball under pressure were impressive." Frank added that Kudus' one-on-one skills and chance creation were top-notch. He also praised Kudus for his defensive contributions, noting a crucial recovery run during a set piece.

Frank expressed satisfaction with the team's first-half performance, describing it as evenly matched with Arsenal's efforts. "In many ways, I loved how we played," he remarked. Although he felt they defended too much in the second half due to fatigue and Arsenal's increased pressure, he appreciated their determination.

Competitive Spirit Against Arsenal

The former Brentford manager emphasised that matches against Arsenal are always competitive despite being labelled as friendlies. "A 1-0 score against Arsenal is an absolutely beautiful score," Frank told SPURSPLAY. He acknowledged both teams' competitiveness and stressed that maintaining a clean sheet mentality is crucial for future success.

Frank believes that while offensive play is essential, strengthening their defensive mindset is vital for winning more matches. The balance between attacking bravely and defending solidly will be key to achieving consistent results in upcoming games.