Cathinka Tandberg says ‘Spurs fans hate Arsenal’ as she previews north London derby
On October 22, 2026, Tottenham forward Cathinka Tandberg told The Guardian's Moving the Goalposts that "Spurs fans hate Arsenal. That's how it is" as she looked ahead to Saturday's north London derby. She added that the fixture "means more than just three points" and described it as being for "the whole club... the whole of Tottenham."
The 22-year-old, a lifelong Spurs supporter, moved to London in September 2025 after making her name as a goalscorer in the Damallsvenskan with Linköping and then Hammarby. Martin Ho signed her on deadline day to strengthen Tottenham's attack, and she marked her first start by scoring a 40-yard goal against Everton. Tandberg said "I settled really well" after the transfer and that she is enjoying life at the club.
Tandberg said the standard in England has forced her to change aspects of her game: "I feel like my physicality has changed a lot. I've got stronger and fitter." She credited Ho with broadening her tactical responsibilities, saying: "Playing under Martin has made me think more away from the goals. I think more about how I play with the ball, how I press and all of those things that I maybe didn't focus on before." Comparing her development to Harry Kane she added, "I can't only just stand in the box. I need to be good everywhere else."
Tottenham finished fifth last season after a managerial overhaul under Ho, a transformation Tandberg praised. She said: "Tottenham has always been a Champions League club for me," and recalled telling the club on arrival: "When I came to the club, I said that I want to get top three." On Ho she said: "The transformation that Martin has done in a season is unbelievable. I don't think anyone else could do that... He's one of the greatest coaches I've worked with and I think everyone that comes here, one of the reasons is because of him."
After an unbeaten start this season, Tottenham have lost consecutive matches, "shipping six goals to both London City Lionesses and Chelsea," the club record in those games. Tandberg described the results as possibly "a dip in form" but stressed the need for a mentality shift: "We maybe need to change our mentality a bit, find that fire and dig a bit deeper when we play those top teams." She also reminded listeners of the club's recent rise: "Two years ago, it was a relegation club. We need to realise how quickly it has [changed]."
Tandberg underlined her bond with supporters and her motivation for the derby: "I've always been a passionate player and I've been a supporter... I play for the supporters because I just enjoy it and I know how it is to be in the stands." She added that reciprocating that support is important, saying: "To give them something back is important and to show that we see and hear them every time."
Tottenham will host Arsenal on Saturday in the north London derby, a match Tandberg said she is desperate to experience: "It will just be an incredible feeling," and she expects "a few nerves that you maybe don't feel in a normal game but that's good."