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North London Derby Preview: Can Spurs Upset Arsenal?

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Tottenham vs Arsenal, Tudor's Spurs face tough test

As Arsenal head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for today's crucial North London derby on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City are lurking just two points behind them, hot on their heels in the Premier League title race.


With the Gunners topping the table and City having closed the gap after their recent win, this high-stakes clash against Spurs could prove pivotal in the battle for the crown...


Arsenal is facing intense pressure from Manchester City, who are just two points behind them after beating Newcastle on Saturday evening. This sets the stage for a crucial North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.


The stats are stacked in Arsenal's favor, with a 60.1% win probability according to Opta simulations. They've won six of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs, including each of the last four. However, Tottenham's new manager Igor Tudor has won his first match in charge in each of his last five stints, which could give Spurs a boost.


The North London derby had taken place earlier in the season, with Eberechi Eze starring with a hat-trick. Coincidentally, Arsenal had dropped points just before that game as well. They had drawn 2-2 with Sunderland, mirroring their recent 2-2 draw at Wolves.




That November victory meant Mikel Arteta's side had won six of their last seven Premier League games against Tottenham. This included four consecutive wins, their longest winning streak against their local rivals since January 1987 to January 1989 (five matches).


Arsenal had a strong defensive streak, going 812 minutes without conceding a goal in all competitions before the draw at the Stadium of Light. This impressive run showcased their solid team defense.




Mikel Arteta can highlight recent clean sheet wins as evidence of the team's strength, including a 4-0 win over Wigan, a 1-0 win over Chelsea, a 3-0 win over Sunderland, and a 4-0 win over Leeds United. These victories demonstrate the Gunners' ability to keep a clean sheet and dominate opponents.


Tottenham's Drought Against Arsenal

Tottenham hasn't won the North London Derby since May 2022, making their current situation even more pressing. Interim head coach Igor Tudor is looking to turn things around, and a win against Arsenal would be a huge boost for the team.



Tudor's Challenge

Tudor's task is clear: he needs to lead Spurs to a decent performance and get points against league leaders Arsenal. This match is a make-or-break opportunity for him to prove himself to the Spurs faithful and make a statement about the team's potential.



History Against Arsenal

Arsenal has a strong head-to-head record against Tottenham, winning 78 games compared to Spurs' 59 wins, with 50 draws. However, Tudor is confident in his team's abilities and is focused on building team spirit and mentality.


Tottenham Hotspur, currently 16th with 29 points, is facing a tough battle to secure a spot in the top division. They're 15 points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, making their Europa League aspirations seem like a long shot. The focus should be on distancing themselves from the relegation zone rather than aiming for European football.


Given their current position, it's crucial for Tottenham to prioritize staying in the Premier League. Their recent form and points tally suggest they're more likely to be fighting relegation than chasing European spots.



Richarlison's Fitness Uncertain Ahead of North London Derby

Richarlison, Tottenham's top scorer with seven goals, is a doubt for today's match against Arsenal due to a hamstring injury. He scored in the 4-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, but his participation in today's game is uncertain.


Pedro Porro Also Facing Late Fitness Test

Pedro Porro, who has been out with a hamstring injury, is also facing a late fitness test. The right-back has been pushing to return in time for the North London Derby, but his availability is still unclear.


Tottenham is facing a significant injury and suspension crisis, with captain Cristian Romero missing the match due to a red card. Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Mo Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Wilson Odobert, and James Maddison are also unavailable for the North London Derby.


Arsenal is also dealing with injuries, with Max Dowman and Mikel Merino out. However, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard could potentially feature for the Gunners, providing some boost to their lineup.




Viktor Gyökeres' recent performance against Wolves was underwilling, with only one touch in the opponent's box and no shots in 64 minutes played. His pass completion rate was also low at 65.2%, raising concerns given his £55m price tag.


In comparison, Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal's top performer, scoring against Wolves and leading the team with 51 shots at goal and 22 on target. Gyökeres could potentially improve his game by studying Saka's movements and positioning.


Tottenham's Home Form a Concern

Tottenham Hotspur are struggling at home, with just 10 points from 13 games, making them 18th in the Premier League for home performances. This is a stark contrast to their away form, where they've accumulated 19 points from 13 games, ranking 7th in the league.




Unbeaten Away Streak

The team is riding a six-match unbeaten streak away from home, which provides some optimism ahead of their upcoming fixtures. However, their home struggles need to be addressed, especially against top teams like Arsenal.


NLD History

Sunday's North London Derby will be the first match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without Harry Kane or Son Heung-min, making it a unique encounter. The last time both players missed an NLD was September 2014.


Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have been crucial for Tottenham, scoring 27% of their Premier League goals against Arsenal. With Kane scoring 14 and Son scoring 8, Igor Tudor could definitely use similar performances from his strikers as Spurs approach their final dozen games.


Tottenham could target Arsenal's vulnerability in passing accuracy, having struggled with just 75.1% second-half passing accuracy against Wolves, their fourth-lowest in the Premier League this season. Notably, one of the other three occasions where Arsenal's passing was poor was against Spurs, making this a potential avenue for Igor Tudor's aggressive tactics to exploit.


Arsenal's recent form has been shaky, with a 2-2 draw against Wolves, their fifth dropped point in seven games. Mikel Arteta's team will be keen to avoid another slip-up, especially given Manchester City's closing gap in the title race. 



Gyokeres Under Pressure to Deliver

Viktor Gyokeres needs to step up and bring his best game for Tottenham. The Swedish international has eight league goals, making him the club's top scorer, but his overall performance has been inconsistent, and he's been criticized for not contributing enough to the team's build-up play.


Area for Improvement

Gyokeres' associative play has been a concern, and he needs to improve his involvement in the team's attacking moves. If he can bring his A-game, it could make a significant difference for Tottenham in this crucial North London Derby.




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