Arsenal vs Spurs Preview: Gunners Aim to Extend Lead By Six Points and Break Tottenham’s Away Streak!

The North London Derby returns on Sunday, with Arsenal hosting Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates at 16:30. One of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries, the fixture arrives at a pivotal moment in the title race. With both Manchester City and Liverpool dropping points this weekend, Mikel Arteta’s side have a huge opportunity to move six points clear at the top.

Arsenal were hit with bad news over the international break as Gabriel Magalhães picked up an injury with Brazil, ruling him out for several weeks. The centre-back has been ever-present in a defence that has conceded just five league goals all season, and he is also Arsenal’s most dangerous weapon from set pieces. Arsenal have scored more goals from set plays than any other team in the league this season (10), and Gabriel’s aerial dominance is a major factor behind that success. His absence will be felt even more given Spurs’ strength in this area: no side has conceded fewer set-piece goals than Tottenham.

Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera are both in contention to deputise for the Brazilian against Spurs. Arteta has, however, received a major injury boost, with up to four players potentially returning to the squad: Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard and Viktor Gyökeres.

Spurs, meanwhile, were initially expected to arrive with as many as 12 players unavailable, but Thomas Frank had good news on a number of those players — including Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr and Randal Kolo Muani — all having a chance of featuring.

Arsenal boast an outstanding home record in this derby, losing just one of their last 32 Premier League home games against Tottenham. That lone defeat came in a 3–2 thriller back in November 2010 — an impressive record that the Gunners will be confident of extending on home soil.

However, Thomas Frank’s Spurs arrive as the Premier League’s only side still unbeaten away from home this season. Indeed, Spurs have the joint-most points (13), the joint-most goals (12) and the fewest goals conceded (3) of any side on the road this term. Frank beat Arsenal in his first ever Premier League match in August 2021 but has since gone seven without a win against the Gunners.

A derby that needs no added fuel now carries huge implications at the top of the table. Both teams, managers and both sets of supporters understand what’s at stake. Expect intensity, emotion and a thrilling 90 minutes in North London.