Tottenham vs Arsenal team news: Mousa Dembele a doubt for the derby

Mousa Dembele is a doubt for Sunday’s derby against Arsenal after limping out of Tottenham’s win over Crystal Palace with an ankle injury.

Dembele was limping heavily towards the end of the first half of Spurs’ 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park, and did not reappear for the second period. Asked after the game about his chances of recovering for the north London clash at White Hart Lane, the Belgium midfielder was uncertain.

Dembele first felt pain in the ankle after a tackle towards the end of the first half, and continued to struggle with it until the interval. His absence would deprive Tottenham of one of their most influential players at a decisive stage of the season.

Dembele was banned for first four matches of the season after scratching the eye of Chelsea striker Diego Costa during the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge last May. His progress was then halted by a foot injury.

Yet in the second half of the season, the 29-year-old has been back to his best, producing consistently excellent performances in central midfield. Were he to miss out, it would be a huge blow to manager Mauricio Pochettino, who lacks another player with Dembele’s characteristics.

​Pochettino will assess Danny Rose during the remainder of the week before deciding whether to include him in the squad against Arsenal.

The left-back has not played since damaging medial knee ligaments in the 0-0 draw at Sunderland on January 31, but he rejoined the first-team squad for some parts of training this week.