Arteta Hails 'Extraordinary' Thomas Frank After Tottenham Sacking

Classy Arteta lauds 'extraordinary' Frank despite rivalry after Spurs sacking

Mikel Arteta offers sympathy to Thomas Frank, calling him an 'excellent coach' and 'extraordinary man' after Tottenham sacking.

“I can just talk about Frank and what I know as a coach, because I faced him many times and how he ‌prepares...”

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, has paid tribute to Thomas Frank, describing him as an “excellent coach” and an “extraordinary man” after Frank was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur. Arteta expressed sympathy for Frank, acknowledging the challenges of Premier League management.

Frank's dismissal came after a poor run of results, leaving Spurs in 16th place, just five points above the relegation zone. Arteta noted that results often dictate a manager's fate, and he wished Frank all the best for his future endeavors.

Mikel Arteta described Thomas Frank's sacking as “very sad news” but acknowledged the harsh reality of Premier League management. “Thomas is an excellent coach. He is an extraordinary man as well and he has proven that in the Premier League,” Arteta said. He emphasized that results often dictate a manager's fate, stating, “We know our responsibility is beyond just performance. Sometimes results dictate what happens to us. I wish him all the very best for whatever he wants to do next.”

Arteta's comments come ahead of Arsenal's trip to Brentford, Frank's former club, on Thursday. The North London derby against Tottenham is scheduled for February 22, with an interim or permanent manager likely in charge.

“At the end you learn the lesson not only with the change of manager but with what you expect ‌from a manager to do against you as well, because they change it a lot this season,” Arteta said.

"So, focus more on us and make sure that what we want to achieve... The set-up is one thing, the player profile is another thing and the momentum of the game and context is something else.”

The North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal on February 22 is shaping up to be a wild one, with either an interim or permanent manager at the helm for Tottenham. This unpredictability adds an extra layer of excitement to the fixture, and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta has revealed his team is getting used to facing opponents under new management this season. Arteta's team is focusing on themselves rather than trying to guess their opponents' approach, which is a smart move given the ever-changing landscape of the Premier League.

Some top contenders to replace Thomas Frank include Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino, and Xavi Hernandez. De Zerbi, known for his attractive style of play, is a favorite among fans, while Pochettino has a proven track record with Spurs. Xavi, with his experience and tactical prowess, is also an attractive option.

Mikel shares the latest team news ahead of tomorrow 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 11, 2026

“I can just talk about Frank and what I know as a coach, because I faced him many times and how he ‌prepares his teams and what he did at Brentford too.”

Mikel Arteta revealed that Arsenal will make late decisions on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard ahead of the North London derby, while Max Dowman remains unavailable.