A vital North London Derby awaits both sides of the fixture, as Arsenal must showcase their title mentality against a wounded Tottenham side.
Tottenham made a big call on the managerial front following the most recent matchday, which saw the team lose at home to Newcastle United. That game proved to be the last one for Thomas Frank, with Spurs sacking the Danish manager and installing an experienced head in Igor Tudor as their interim boss for the remainder of the season. A baptism of fire is on the cards for the new Tottenham boss, with Arsenal visiting them this weekend.
There is real talk of relegation rumbling around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the team sitting in 16th place and only five points off 18th-placed West Ham United. Given the difficulty of the remaining fixtures for Spurs, it makes a compelling argument that they could potentially drop down to the Championship, especially if Tudor cannot arrest their current slump.
With just two wins to show for on home soil all season in the Premier League, the prospect of a win over local rivals Arsenal will bring a big boost to their chances this season. With the North London Derby, it is always unpredictable what transpires in the game, as pre-match talk can take a backseat. Spurs will look for a big boost to their confidence.
Arsenal are also in need of confidence following a dismal performance away at bottom-placed Wolves. The Gunners took an early lead in their rearranged fixture, as Mikel Arteta knew a win was all but necessary following dropped points away at Brentford in the week before.
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead and celebrated his new contract, as the visitors should have doubled or even tripled the advantage in the first 25 minutes of the game. They lost control of the game in a big way, similar to how it transpired away at Brentford. Piero Hincapie scored the second for the Gunners against the run of play, but Hugo Bueno’s stellar strike from distance restored balance and handed the hosts the momentum.
Arsenal’s sloppy performance probably received the deserved punishment, as Wolves got lucky owing to a defensive error from Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya, with Riccardo Calafiori finding his name on the scoresheet for all the wrong reasons. The draw now gives Manchester City the advantage, as they could be within two points of Arteta’s side if they win against Newcastle United, which makes the NLD a must-win affair.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Igor Tudor has mentioned that he had 13 first-team players to train with, following questions about changes in tactics and style during his first press conference. He is right, as at least a dozen players are potentially missing from action heading into the North London Derby, with only Richarlison among them closest to making a return after training this week.
Frank had previously suggested Richarlison and Pedro Porro might return for the derby, but it appears it might only be the former, and even then, only as an option on the bench if fit. Dominic Solanke also had a problem with his throat, but Tudor allayed fears by stating he has been training with the group this week, as the striker is expected to lead the line.
Skipper Cristian Romero will serve the second of his four-match ban, and Wilson Odobert is now out for the season with an ACL rupture. Randal Kolo Muani, a player that Tudor knows closely from their time together at Juventus last season, will replace the winger in the team and play alongside Xavi Simons in what could be a different shape than what Frank had imposed.
Given the raft of injuries, Tudor is expected to switch to a familiar back three with Joao Palhinha, Radu Dragusin and Micky van de Ven there, with Archie Gray and Djed Spence in the wing-back roles. Pape Matar Sarr and January arrival Conor Gallagher are the midfield pairing for Tudor.
Probable Line-up (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence; Kolo Muani, Simons; Solanke
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s issues have not been related to injuries recently, but more to tactical and individual performances on the pitch. In fact, heading to their local rivals, the Gunners boss could have two or three of his injured players back in some capacity, and Mikel Merino remains the only casualty, with the midfielder set to miss the remainder of the season.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard could be back in the squad, while teenager Max Dowman has also resumed training. Arteta insisted there were no fresh injury concerns within the team, and he could make selection decisions based on the optimal fitness of his players.
Riccardo Calafiori could return to the left-back slot, while Arteta might look to bring one of Odegaard or Havertz in, depending on who is fit enough to start. He does have Eberechi Eze as an option for the attacking midfield berth should the two not make it to the starting line-up, while Bukayo Saka is also an option there.
Viktor Gyokeres is widely expected to lead the line, while Leandro Trossard could return on the left wing. Should one of Odegaard, Havertz or Eze start in the No. 10 role, Bukayo Saka could be the starter on the right, at the expense of Noni Madueke.
Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard; Gyokeres
Key Stats
- Tottenham have conceded at least two goals in their last six matches in the Premier League.
- Tottenham have only managed two wins at home all season in the Premier League. Spurs are also the only side without a Premier League win so far in 2026, drawing four and losing four of their eight games. It’s their longest run without a win from the start of a calendar year since 1994 (first 10).
- Arsenal have won their last three away matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven games against Tottenham in the Premier League.
- Igor Tudor has won his first match in charge in each of his last five spells at a club, starting with his second spell at Hajduk Split in February 2020 (and with Verona, Marseille, Lazio and Juventus since).
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
Probably the only shining light in an otherwise abject performance from Arsenal, Saka is now looking forward to becoming the antagonist in the North London club’s season. The team lacks a player of superstar capabilities, and Saka is the closest to providing that.
Having scored his first league goal in over two months, the winger will be galvanised and confident ahead of the North London Derby. Not only is Mikel Arteta looking for inspiration in a tough time, but he also seeks a big response from his players in this game, with Saka the man in focus for this clash.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Arsenal
Tottenham’s form is close to hitting rock bottom, as the fans will be hoping the arrival of Igor Tudor brings fresh ideas and galvanises the squad. However, the massive injury crisis at the club could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of this particular North London Derby.
Arsenal might be in a bad run of form, but they have the squad to get over these issues and bring fresh ideas on the pitch. With Arteta likely to rotate key areas, it could see the Gunners take a different approach and get a narrow win on the board.