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Former Tottenham talisman who racked up 126 G/A heading back to N17 for North London Derby

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Shrishh Attavar | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 7:48 PM ET

Arsenal will take on Tottenham on the 22nd of February, 2026.

Tottenham have confirmed that Dele Alli will be back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Sunday as a special guest for the North London derby against Arsenal, and it is difficult to think of a more fitting time for a return.

Here is the announcement from the club’s official website. Dele remains one of the most loved players of the modern Spurs era, having scored 67 goals in 269 appearances between 2015 and 2022. His impact during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure helped define Tottenham’s last genuine run as a side that felt capable of challenging at the very top end of the table.

The fact that his chant was among the first to echo around the new stadium on its opening night against Crystal Palace in April 2019 says everything about the bond he built with the fanbase.

Dele Alli impressed at the North London derby during his time at Tottenham

Supporters will get the chance to welcome him properly at halftime on Sunday, where he joins noted broadcaster Paul Coyte on the pitch and reflects on some of those standout moments in Lilywhite. Among those moments include his 4 G/A against Arsenal in 12 appearances.

Since leaving Spurs in February 2022, Dele’s career has taken a difficult turn, with spells at Everton and Besiktas failing to reignite the form that once made him one of England’s most exciting attacking midfielders. His most recent stint at Como yielded just a single appearance under Cesc Fabregas before his departure in September, leaving the 29-year-old without a club for the time being.

Still, his legacy at Tottenham is secure, particularly as part of the attacking unit that once included Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, a trio that terrorised Premier League defences.

That wider uncertainty only heightens the stakes for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal, who themselves have stumbled in recent weeks with just two wins from their last seven league matches in their pursuit of the title. Tottenham’s immediate priority is to create daylight between themselves and the bottom three, and that effort begins with finding a performance worthy of the occasion this weekend.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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