Thomas Frank was caught on camera sipping from an Arsenal mug ahead of Tottenham's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth on Wednesday night, which they ended up losing 3-2. The Spurs manager was surveying the pitch at the Vitality Stadium prior to kick-off when a photograph surfaced showing him drinking from a cup bearing the Gunners' club badge.
The 52-year-old, who was named Spurs head coach during the summer, has endured a difficult opening six months in the role with fans remaining unconvinced by his tactical approach. He has also made several questionable team selection choices and delivered peculiar remarks during press conferences which have been poorly received. This began almost instantly following his appointment at Spurs when he went to extraordinary lengths to praise Tottenham's fiercest rivals ahead of their pre-season meeting.
He commented: "I think it is a great challenge, besides being our biggest rivals and the first north London derby outside the UK. It is also right now one of the best teams, I must say unfortunately, in the world. We also need to be honest.
"In that way it is going to be a big test, but it is more than a test as against Arsenal it is not only a friendly. Of course it is a game we will do everything we can to win."
Tottenham secured victory in that fixture but matters have deteriorated considerably since then and his most recent gaffe on Wednesday evening is unlikely to be well received by supporters, particularly as on-field performances remain disappointing. Spurs lost 3-2 at Bournemouth due to Antoine Semenyo's
The Lilywhites have only managed to secure two Premier League victories since early November, with significant losses to Chelsea and Newcastle preceding this.
Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool also triumphed over Spurs before the close of 2025. However, Tottenham are currently on a three-match unbeaten run, having drawn with Brentford and Sunderland following a win against Crystal Palace.
This streak seemed destined to end on the south coast, as the Cherries overturned an early lead established by Mathys Tel. Evanilson and Eli Junior Kroupi both found the back of the net before half-time, while Lucas Bergvall was forced off due to injury after the interval.
Spurs appeared to have a chance to level the score when Micky van de Ven won a penalty, but a VAR review reversed the decision. Joao Palhinha later equalised with a spectacular overhead kick.
But Semenyo delivered a late 95th-minute winner for the Cherries that piles the pressure on Frank.