Arsenal vs Spurs MATCH PREVIEW – Premier League 2025/26 | OneFootball

The Premier League returns from the final international break of 2025 with a blockbuster fixture, as Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the 198th North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 23 November (16:30 GMT).

It arrives at the start of a defining week in Arsenal’s season. Mikel Arteta’s side leads the league and now faces Spurs at home, Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and Chelsea away inside seven days. Tottenham, meanwhile, travel across North London with an unbeaten away record and the chance to tighten an already tense title race.

Both teams have endured disruptive injury issues. Both feel they should have entered this derby on the back of victories. And both understand that defeat here reverberates far beyond the league table.

: Arsenal vs Spurs MATCH PREVIEW – Premier League 2025/26

Current Form

Arsenal – Last Five (D-W-W-W-W)

The Gunners saw their ten-match winning run stopped in a lively 2-2 draw with Sunderland, conceding twice after eight straight clean sheets. Prior to that, Arsenal beat Crystal Palace (1-0), Brighton (2-0), Burnley (2-0) and Slavia Prague (3-0).

Their five-game record:

W 4 | D 1 | L 0 | Goals: 10-2

They remain defensively outstanding at home, conceding just once in the league at the Emirates all season.

Tottenham Hotspur – Last Five (D-W-L-L-W)

Spurs’ campaign remains erratic, veering between impressive European wins and frustrating domestic slips. They drew 2-2 with Manchester United prior to the international break, thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser. Before that, they hammered Copenhagen 4-0, lost narrowly to Chelsea (0-1), and were beaten by Newcastle (0-2) after beating Everton 3-0.

Their five-game record:

W 2 | D 1 | L 2 | Goals: 9-5

Despite inconsistency, Tottenham’s away form is the best in the Premier League this season. Frank’s side has not lost a league match on the road.

Head-to-Head Record

Arsenal have edged the rivalry recently, winning three of the last five North London Derbies.

Goals: Arsenal 8 – 6 Tottenham

Arsenal have not lost a league derby at the Emirates since 2010.

Liverpool vs Arsenal Match Review: From Stalemate to Stunner – Liverpool’s Title Defence Gains Momentum!: Arsenal vs Spurs MATCH PREVIEW – Premier League 2025/26

Injury News & Suspensions

ARSENAL

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Manager Quotes

HOW Arteta’s Safety-First Plan Almost Backfired for Arsenal Against City: Arsenal vs Spurs MATCH PREVIEW – Premier League 2025/26

Predicted Lineups

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-3-3)

Tactical Preview & Key Battles

Arsenal’s control vs Tottenham’s transitions

Arteta’s system has evolved this season into a highly structured 4-3-3 built on territory, pressing traps and calm progression through Rice and Zubimendi. Without Gabriel, Arsenal’s back line loses its most aggressive duellist, but William Saliba’s composure allows them to maintain a high line.

Spurs under Frank remain a transition-heavy side. They rarely sustain long possessions away from home; instead, they build through Porro and quickly release Kudus or Simons between the lines. One mistimed Arsenal press and Tottenham are away.

Key Battle 1: Mikel Merino vs Micky van de Ven

Merino, deputising as a roaming No. 9 in Gyökeres’ absence, has rediscovered his instinct for late box arrivals. Van de Ven, whose recovery pace is unmatched, must track those blindside movements without leaving channels open for Saka or Trossard.

Spurs defend their area well but can be knocked out of rhythm by fluid front threes. Arsenal will look to rotate Merino into spaces that drag van de Ven wider than he prefers.

Key Battle 2: Bukayo Saka vs Djed Spence

Saka has been Arsenal’s most reliable attacking outlet. His ability to isolate full-backs is central to their approach, particularly with Ødegaard out.

Spence, repurposed as a left-back, offers pace but takes risks in possession. If he steps too high, Saka will gladly exploit the space behind him. If he sits too deep, Arsenal will use Rice and Zubimendi to overload the channel.

This duel may dictate Tottenham’s confidence in pushing forward.

Key Battle 3: Eberechi Eze vs Xavi Simons

A fascinating subplot: both players were linked to each other’s clubs before ultimately landing here.

Eze drifts infield to overload central zones, giving Arsenal added ball-carrying through the left. Simons, meanwhile, has the technical quality to break Arsenal’s midfield structure but has yet to find consistency in England.

Whichever creator finds rhythm first will tilt the derby’s emotional flow.

Arsenal’s set-piece advantage

The Gunners lead the league with 10 set-piece goals, while Spurs have conceded only two – the best defensive record in the division.

Rarely in a North London Derby does a restart feel as pivotal as an open-play pattern, but this season’s data makes that prospect very real.

Tottenham’s threat in transitions

With Richarlison pressing from the front, Spurs will try to pull Zubimendi into deeper defensive duels, then spring Johnson or Kudus into space.

Arsenal’s full-backs must keep positional discipline – Timber drifting inside too aggressively could be costly.

: Arsenal vs Spurs MATCH PREVIEW – Premier League 2025/26

Predicted Scoreline

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham possess the pace and match-winners to trouble Arsenal, and their away resilience is genuine. But with the Emirates imposing its usual control and Arsenal’s attacking rhythm sharper than Spurs’ in settled play, Arteta’s side has the edge. One decisive spell – perhaps a set piece or a moment from Saka – may define the derby.

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