Tottenham vs Arsenal: Team news, line-ups and north London derby preview
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For Spurs, the match signals the beginning of a new chapter.
Following a damaging defeat to Newcastle United, Thomas Frank was relieved of his duties, leaving Igor Tudor to step in as interim head coach for the remainder of the campaign.
The Croatian inherits a side battling inconsistency and growing anxiety over their league position.
Arsenal, by contrast, arrive with title ambitions but fresh doubts.
A frustrating 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers has tightened the race, with Manchester City poised to capitalise on any further slip-ups.
Whilst the Gunners remain firmly in contention, recent performances have intensified scrutiny.
Match Details: Kick-off time & how to watch
Tottenham vs Arsenal kicks off at 4:30 pm GMT on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Fans still hoping to secure last-minute seats can check availability here:
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Tottenham Team News: Tudor faces selection headaches
Tudor's first team selection is complicated by a lengthy injury list and suspension concerns.Early indications suggest he will deploy a back-three system, a structure he has favoured throughout his managerial career.
Wilson Odobert has been ruled out after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, joining several senior absentees.
James Maddison, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso and Lucas Bergvall are all unavailable.
Cristian Romero serves the second match of his four-game suspension, further weakening Tottenham's defensive options.
There is cautious optimism surrounding Pedro Porro and Richarlison, both of whom are pushing to be involved.
Despite recent illness, Dominic Solanke is expected to start.
Arsenal Team News: Key figures near return
Arsenal's injury situation is less severe but still significant.Bukayo Saka is expected to be fit despite concerns after the Wolves match, providing a major boost to Mikel Arteta's attacking plans.
Leandro Trossard has reportedly been passed fit, whilst Arteta remains hopeful that Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz will return to the squad.
Their availability would add both creativity and control.
Mikel Merino is sidelined for the remainder of the season following surgery, whils young prospect Max Dowman has resumed training.
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Recent form & derby record
Derbies are notorious for ignoring form, yet underlying trends offer intriguing context.Tottenham's home performances have been unconvincing, whilst Arsenal's title push has lost momentum at key moments.
The Gunners have managed just two wins in their last seven league outings, a statistic that hints at vulnerability.
However, Arsenal's recent derby record is compelling. They are unbeaten against Spurs since May 2022 and have enjoyed notable success at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Head-to-head record
- Tottenham wins: 67
- Arsenal wins: 90
- Draws: 55
Probable line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur (3-4-3):Vicario; Gray, Drăgușin, van de Ven; Spence, Sarr, Palhinha, Gallagher; Simons, Solanke, Muani.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1):
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi; Eze, Saka, Trossard; Gyökeres.
Match outlook
Tottenham's tactical reset under Tudor adds unpredictability, but injuries and defensive absences present serious challenges.Arsenal, whilst not at their fluent best, possess greater squad stability and experience in high-pressure fixtures.
Momentum may be fragile for both sides, yet the stakes ensure intensity.
With pride, points and potentially the title race on the line, another fiercely contested north London derby awaits.
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