The North London Derby is set to light up the Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in what promises to be a high-octane encounter. Both sides have made promising starts to the season—Arsenal sit with seven points from three games, while Spurs have collected four from their outings. Although the early standings look tight, recent history heavily favors the Gunners, who have won five of the last seven Premier League meetings between the two rivals. Tottenham’s solitary win during this stretch came in a 3-0 triumph at home in May 2022, but they will be eager to turn the tide on their home turf once again.
Arsenal, however, face a significant challenge as they come into this clash without some key figures. Declan Rice will miss out due to suspension. At the same time, Mikel Merino is sidelined with an injury, and captain Martin Ødegaard is a doubt, leaving the freshly contracted Mikel Arteta with a depleted squad. Spurs, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on this opportunity, spurred on by the home crowd and a chance to shift the balance of power in North London. With both teams aiming to prove their early-season credentials, this could be one of the most pivotal derbies in recent years.
Official: Mikel Arteta pens a new contract at Arsenal keeping him at the club till 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣7️⃣! pic.twitter.com/kPbpHjrKZx
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All you need to know – Tottenham vs Arsenal
Team News
Tottenham
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will be boosted by the return of key players Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke, both of whom are expected to be available after recovering from respective knee and ankle injuries. However, Spurs face concerns in midfield, with Yves Bissouma a doubt after suffering a groin injury while on international duty with Mali, and forward Richarlison remains sidelined.
Arsenal
For Arsenal, captain Martin Ødegaard‘s involvement is still uncertain as he continues to undergo tests on his ankle injury, though Mikel Arteta has not ruled him out for the weekend. Declan Rice will serve a one-match suspension, and Mikel Merino is unavailable due to a shoulder injury. On a positive note for the Gunners, Gabriel Jesus is fit again, while Riccardo Calafiori will undergo assessment for a calf problem.
Key Players
Tottenham – Heung min-Son
A veteran of the North London Derby, Heung-min Son has been one of the most influential players in this fixture over the past few years. With eight goals and two assists in 20 appearances against Arsenal, Son has consistently been a thorn in the Gunners’ side.
His ability to operate both as a winger and a central forward makes him a versatile weapon in Tottenham’s attack. Known for his blistering speed, lethal finishing, and intelligent movement off the ball, Son is often the player Spurs look to when they need a spark in front of goal. His knack for scoring in crucial moments, combined with his ability to drift into dangerous areas unnoticed, makes him one of Arsenal’s biggest headaches in this contest.
Arsenal – Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka scored both home and away goals versus Tottenham in the Premier League last season. Bagging on Sunday would make him the third Arsenal player to score in three straight North London derby games, after Emmanuel Adebayor and Robert Pires.
Saka has emerged as Arsenal’s talisman in recent seasons, particularly in the high-pressure games like the North London Derby. Known for his electric pace, technical skill, and ability to take on defenders, Saka thrives on the big stage, and Spurs have been one of his favorite opponents. In nine appearances against Tottenham, Saka has netted three goals and provided two assists, making him a constant threat in these high-stakes encounters.
His versatility allows him to shift between winger and playmaker roles, often linking up with Arsenal’s forward line and orchestrating attacks. With Arsenal missing key figures in midfield and possibly their captain Ødegaard, Saka’s role in carrying the creative burden becomes even more critical. He has the capability to unlock defenses with his precise crossing, cutting inside on his stronger left foot, and producing moments of magic in the final third. Expect Saka to be a focal point of Arsenal’s attack as they seek to exploit Tottenham’s defense.
Key Statistics
- This fixture holds the record for the most penalties awarded (26) and scored (24) in Premier League history.
- Tottenham have conceded an own goal in each of their last three Premier League meetings with Arsenal: Hugo Lloris in January 2023, Cristian Romero in September 2023, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in April 2024. No team has ever scored an own goal in four consecutive Premier League meetings with the same opponent.
- Son Heung-min is just one goal away from breaking into the top 20 all-time Premier League goalscorers. He currently has 122 goals, with Dwight Yorke and Raheem Sterling tied at 19th place with 123.
- Arsenal have won nine of their last 10 away Premier League matches, drawing the other and keeping eight clean sheets in the process. The Gunners have matched their longest top-flight away winning streak of five games under Mikel Arteta.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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Odds
