Kyle Walker-Peters out with a hamstring injury, Juan Foyth recovering from an ankle problem, it seemingly appears that Serge Aurier could be in-line for a shock return to the Tottenham starting XI, or so you think.
The Guardian report that the Ivory Coast international, who has not played for Spurs since February, will not be included in the Tottenham squad for the upcoming North London Derby against Arsenal despite Mauricio Pochettino having both his first-choice options at right-back out injured.
Instead, one of Moussa Sissoko or Eric Dier, who have a combined total of 25 appearances playing at right-back as positional numbers from Transfermarkt show, will take up the spot to replace the injured Walker-Peters whilst Aurier continues to wait in the reserves and pushes for his Tottenham nightmare to end.
Aurier has indeed disappointed since being signed by Spurs in 2017 as a replacement for Kyle Walker, yet to leave out a natural right-back when there is no other options in the squad in the biggest game of the season for supporters is a move that could cost Pochettino both points in the league as well as respect from fans.
With the Gunners starting the season off well and new record-signing Nicolas Pepe looking dangerous already, Spurs could be in for rough time if Pochettino is to put his ego ahead of his tactical knowledge and start an unnatural fullback in a position that Arsenal will be looking to exploit.
Aurier is far from a fan favourite, but to leave him out of the squad entirely is to hand Arsenal a massive advantage in a match that Tottenham supporters want to be on the winning end of more than any in the Premier League, and Pochettino will be making a mistake putting his ego ahead of him for this game when so much is on the line.