The Premier League is gearing up for its first North London Derby of the season as Tottenham host Arsenal in a highly anticipated clash that could shape the trajectory of both teams’ campaigns.
Ange Postecoglou will be seeking nothing less than a win over bitter rivals Arsenal when they meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. The Australian manager has garnered praise for Spurs’ exciting style of play, but this season serves as a true test of his managerial mettle. Despite overseeing a home loss in this fixture last season, Postecoglou will look to change his fortunes, especially with key absences potentially weakening Arsenal’s squad. However, whether Tottenham can capitalize on this remains to be seen.
While Tottenham’s attacking play has shown significant improvement under Postecoglou, results have been mixed, with a draw, a win, and a loss to start the season. The North London Derby presents a crucial test for Spurs and their manager, and the outcome could set the tone for the rest of their campaign.
On the other side, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have enjoyed a strong start to the season, recording back-to-back wins over Wolves and Aston Villa before stumbling at home against Brighton, partly due to a controversial red card. Despite that setback, Arteta will be confident heading into the derby, though the absence of several key players could be a concern.
Historically, Arsenal have had the upper hand in recent North London Derbies, remaining unbeaten in the last four encounters and winning the last two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Whether they come into this match as favorites is yet to be seen, but Sunday’s game will undoubtedly provide answers.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou has received a significant boost ahead of Sunday’s North London Derby, with key players Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke returning to training. Both are expected to be available for selection against Arsenal, providing a timely lift for Tottenham. Van de Ven’s return strengthens the backline, while Solanke, if fit, is poised to lead the attack.
However, there are still major concerns over Richarlison, who remains doubtful, and Yves Bissouma, whose involvement also hangs in the balance. Postecoglou has not ruled Bissouma out entirely, but a final decision will likely come closer to kickoff.
Regardless, Postecoglou will have a strong lineup, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr expected to anchor the midfield. The attacking trio of Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski will offer plenty of support to Solanke if he starts. On the bench, Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson provide additional firepower. At the same time, Radu Dragusin could step in at the back if needed, especially if van de Ven faces any issues during the match.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke
Arsenal
The international break hasn’t been kind to Arsenal, with injury and suspension concerns piling up ahead of the North London Derby. Already without Declan Rice due to suspension, Arsenal may be missing two more key players. There are also fitness concerns over Gabriel Jesus, who remains doubtful and will undergo late assessments to determine his involvement.
Riccardo Calafiori suffered a calf injury while on international duty, making him a potential doubt for his first North London Derby. While Jurrien Timber could step in at left-back, there are rumors he might be used in midfield to cover Rice’s absence. The most significant blow, however, is Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury, which will likely keep the captain sidelined for this clash. Though Arteta hasn’t definitively ruled Odegaard out, early indications suggest he could be out for 3-4 weeks, including this derby.
With Rice and Odegaard likely unavailable, Arteta faces a selection dilemma. Jorginho could partner Thomas Partey in a double-pivot, but Odegaard’s absence leaves a void in the attacking midfield role. While there were whispers about teenager Ethan Nwaneri being considered for a start, Arteta is more likely to opt for experience, possibly bringing in Kai Havertz to fill the creative role, with Leandro Trossard or Raheem Sterling stepping into a false-nine position.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Sterling; Trossard
Key Stats:
- Tottenham have lost their last two home games against Arsenal.
- Spurs have never lost three consecutive home matches to Arsenal.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four North London derbies in the Premier League, winning three of them.
- The Gunners are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches.
- Bukayo Saka scored in both the home and away fixtures against Tottenham in the Premier League last season. A goal on Sunday would make him the third Arsenal player to score in three consecutive North London Derby appearances, following in the footsteps of Emmanuel Adebayor and Robert Pires.
Player to Watch
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz had an impressive international break with Germany, contributing significantly in the attacking third, even though his only goal came from the penalty spot against Hungary. His versatility offers Mikel Arteta tactical flexibility ahead of the North London Derby, especially with key players potentially missing.
If Martin Odegaard is ruled out, Havertz is expected to take on the No. 10 role in a slightly adjusted system. His ability to perform at the highest level will be crucial to Arsenal’s chances, as his presence and clever play in the final third could help dictate the attacking flow for the Gunners.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Arsenal
Tottenham and their fanbase may see this as a prime opportunity to face Arsenal, given the key injuries impacting their rivals. However, doubts remain about whether Spurs have the quality to overcome their North London foes on Sunday, despite the advantage of playing at home and the return of key players.
Arsenal, though missing crucial stars, have the squad depth to cover for those absences. They still boast a strong defensive setup capable of containing Spurs’ attackers, and their quality in the final third could make the difference. On paper, this looks like a closely contested matchup, but in reality, Arsenal seems better positioned to take all three points.
How to Watch
Watch online via NaijaSport247 TV.
