Ahead of the North London derby, it has been announced that Ivan Perisic will be sidelined for an extended period due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee.

The injury, which was picked up in training, raises questions about the 34-year-old’s future in football.

Ivan Perisic, who joined Tottenham from Inter Milan on a free transfer last season, has shown his versatility for the club. Under Antonio Conte, he played predominantly as a wing-back, aiding the team to finish eighth in the Premier League.

Since Ange Postecoglou took the reins at Tottenham, Perisic‘s role has shifted. He’s mainly been a squad player, usually operating as a winger in a 4-3-3 formation.

This season, he’s made six appearances, including one against Sheffield United where he played a crucial role coming off the bench.

His record for Tottenham includes 50 appearances, although he has only scored a single goal.

The injury to the Croatian international also casts a shadow over his readiness for the upcoming European Championships. With 129 caps for Croatia, the loss of Perisic will be keenly felt by both his club and national team.

The injury comes at a less than ideal time for Perisic, considering his age (he turns 35 in February) and expiring contract in the summer, with some wondering if he has now played his last game for Spurs.

Perisic has faced Arsenal four times in his career, drawing one and losing three.

His one goal against the Gunners came during a 1-1 draw when he was playing for Borussia Dortmund.