Thomas Frank addresses whether he will require a rebuild timeline similar to Mikel Arteta’s at Arsenal for his Tottenham squad.

Thomas Frank discusses whether he’ll need a rebuild timeline similar to Mikel Arteta’s at Arsenal

Thomas Frank has shed light on how long it may take him to reshape his Tottenham Hotspur squad in his own image. The Spurs boss has quickly realised the scale of the challenge, with pressure rising each week as expectations grow.

Only eleven Premier League games into the season, the Danish manager has already faced criticism from sections of the fanbase despite Tottenham sitting fifth in the table. Supporters have been frustrated by the lack of attacking threat in certain matches, particularly when Spurs have been outplayed, which has led to audible boos at times.

Frank acknowledged that rebuilding a team naturally requires time, though modern football rarely grants managers patience—especially at clubs with high ambitions. Demands for instant improvement from both fans and the board have intensified before he has fully implemented his philosophy.

With Arsenal next on the schedule, Frank pointed to Mikel Arteta’s journey across north London as an example of long-term backing paying off. Arteta was allowed time in his early years and has since built a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

Speaking to the media, Frank emphasised the importance of sticking to a clear process. He highlighted how Arsenal’s consistency behind Arteta over several seasons enabled progress, noting that it took around three years before Arteta’s team truly began to compete at the top level.

He explained: a club that stays committed to its plan over a long period rarely goes wrong, and margins often determine whether ultimate success—like winning trophies—is achieved. But the foundation is always the process.

Frank underlined that viewing his own project through a similar lens makes sense, recognising how long-term thinking can shape a team capable of competing at the highest level.