Tottenham vs. Arsenal: Match Preview, Team News, Lineup & Prediction

Igor Tudor’s first Tottenham assignment is against fierce rivals Arsenal.

This weekend will have some extra spice for the North Londoners as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Arsenal in a game that carries heavy weight for both the clubs (though in different contexts).

For the Lilywhites it is about survival and establishing stability as the relegation battle looks hard at N17, while for the Gunners it is about silencing the doubts around N5 and keeping their title charge alive.

Tudor starts with a baptism of fire

Tottenham welcomed Igor Tudor in an interim role where he would take charge of the proceedings at Hotspur Way until the end of the ongoing campaign.

Spurs go into this weekend’s game sitting 16th in the Premier League ladder and only five points out of the relegation zone. Tottenham are still to register a league win in 2026.

Europa League holders saw Thomas Frank being shown the door owing to the disastrous domestic campaign that has come upon Tottenham. And Vinai & Co. had their patience lining thin with the Dane; the 2-1 loss against Newcastle United was the final nail for the former Brentford manager at Tottenham.

Tottenham have taken only four (4) points in the last eight (8) games in the league and have one of the worst records in the division, with only two wins in the English top tier at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all season.

And while Tudor has a reputation for building on a compact organisation with aggressive pressing and structural discipline, it will be hard for him to do so from the get-go given the injury concerns at N17.

Team News

Tottenham

The hosts still have a long list of players that will watch the North London derby from the stands. To start with, Cristian Romero continues his four-game suspension following his reckless red against Manchester United. Joining him would be James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Though, Richarlison is back in training, and that will be a big boost in attacking perspective for Tottenham.

Solanke had a sore throat, but he is expected to be available for the NLD.

But it is still just a small boost, given how the Lilywhites barely have around 13 first-team players available in the roster at Hotspur Way.

Arsenal

The wrong side of North London have been reaping a lot of headlines in the past days after their 2-2 draw against Wolves in the midweek. Though while they still remain on the summit of the league, Man City continue to loom large with a game in hand. These dropped points on the road have been a thing of concern for Mikel Arteta of late, given that they have only won three of their last nine away league games.

Though that being said, Arsenal are unbeaten in their past seven NLDs in the Premier League, and they have won three of their last visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Arsenal could have a massive boost going into the game as Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz push to make it fit for the derby. While there were concerns around Bukayo Saka, they appear not to be much of a concern.

Predicted Lineups

Tottenham (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Spence, Bissouma, Palhinha, Souza; Gallagher, Simons; Solanke

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction

With the tifo planned, the Lilywhites supporters will be on top of their vocal cords, ensuring that the atmosphere will be loud and heavy for the Gunners to deal with. And you can never rule out a new-manager bounce. But let’s be realistic for the moment; all the injuries and structural instability in the roster at N17 are difficult to overlook, and Arsenal still hold the edge in the game.

Tottenham 1 – 2 Arsenal