Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to make a statement in the Women’s Super League (WSL) this weekend as they face north London rivals Arsenal at Brisbane Road on Sunday (14:30 GMT). Spurs captain Bethany England insists that a derby victory is “not impossible” despite a historically difficult record against their Gunners rivals.

Last season, Tottenham struggled in the WSL, finishing second from bottom with just 20 points after securing only three wins all term. Their defensive frailties were stark, conceding 21 goals in the opening eight matches alone, and victories were rare. However, after eight games this season, Spurs sit fifth in the league, level on points with Arsenal and just two points behind third-placed Manchester United. Their five wins from eight matches already match last season’s total, signaling a remarkable improvement and positioning Spurs as surprise contenders for a Champions League spot.

Bethany England, however, stresses that the team is not yet thinking about European football. “Depending if we’re close to the top then we’ll most likely be thinking about it,” she said on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. “Right now, it’s not a conversation, but it’s not to say we don’t think we can get there.”

Martin Ho’s Impact on Spurs

The arrival of Martin Ho as head coach has been pivotal to Tottenham’s resurgence. Formerly an assistant at Manchester United and Everton, Ho has instilled a more intense mentality within the squad while retaining the bulk of last year’s players.

“Martin coming in has changed a lot,” England explained. “Our intensity has got higher, the demands have increased, and he’s testing us more as players as well as people. Having that leadership is what we needed.” She added that the team now feels more confident and united, with a renewed willingness to fight for each other on the pitch.

Spurs Eyeing Rare North London Derby Win

Tottenham’s record against Arsenal in the WSL has been poor historically. Of 11 derbies, Spurs have only won once—a 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December 2023. Yet that lone triumph provides a source of optimism. “We’ve got a big opportunity in a north London derby to do what we’ve done previously. I know we’ve only beaten them once before, but it’s not impossible,” England said.

Ho echoed this sentiment, noting that his players are aware of the derby’s significance. “It’s my first one, but they know how important it is to the fans and the club. It’s a really big opportunity for us to showcase what we can do,” he said. Spurs also take confidence from a pre-season 4-3 victory over Arsenal, though Ho was quick to caution that pre-season results do not count toward official standings.

A win for Spurs could have wider implications for the WSL title race. Manchester City lead the table, and Arsenal will be keen to recover from their 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League, where they surrendered a two-goal advantage. A derby loss would leave the Gunners trailing City by at least six points.

With form improving, squad morale high, and leadership from both England and Ho, Tottenham will be confident heading into what promises to be a fiercely contested north London derby. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Spurs can secure a rare victory and establish themselves as genuine challengers in this season’s WSL campaign.