Tottenham vs Arsenal Preview: Gunners Aim to Rebound Against New Spurs Boss in North London Derby

Arsenal travel across North London on Sunday for a crucial 16:30 kick-off against Tottenham with newly appointed Spurs manager Igor Tudor taking charge for the first time. The Gunners will be desperate to respond after recent setbacks and keep their title ambitions alive.

Tudor steps into the dugout following Thomas Frank’s sacking, inheriting a Tottenham side enduring a turbulent season. Spurs sit 16th in the league, just five points above the relegation zone, and are winless in their last eight Premier League games. Alarmingly, they are the only side without a Premier League win so far in 2026. 

Despite the poor form, there are reasons for optimism among home supporters. Tudor has won his first match in charge in each of his last five spells at a club, starting with his second spell at Hajduk Split in February 2020 and with Verona, Marseille, Lazio and Juventus since. He will hope to maintain that impressive record in the most high pressure fixture of all - the North London Derby.

Arsenal, however, have their own concerns. The Gunners have only won two games in their last seven games in the Premier League. In midweek, they conceded a late equaliser against Wolves and dropped two vital points in the title race. As a result, the gap has closed to five points, with the Gunners playing an additional game. 

Arteta challenged his side following the frustration of recent performances: “When you have a moment of difficulty, and feel really frustrated with ourselves, you have the perfect game. Spurs away. Go and show how much you want it. Talk on the pitch.”

Tudor’s preparations have been far from ideal ahead of the derby: "We have 10 injuries currently, we trained with 13 players. It is what it is. It's not fantastic, but we will have 13 and it is quite enough to achieve what we want on Sunday against Arsenal." 

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and Mohammed Kudus are among those out with long-term absences. However, Dominic Solanke, Richarlison and Mathys Tel are expected to be available, while Pedro Porro is unlikely to feature.

Arteta, meanwhile, hopes to have Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz back for the North London Derby, after being sidelined for the last few games. Leandro Trossard is also expected to be available, despite going off against Wolves on Wednesday night after a blow to the head.

History favours the visitors. Arsenal have won six of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs. Arteta also boasts the best win percentage (60.3%) of anyone to take charge of at least 20 Premier League London derbies, with 41 wins from 68 matches. 

With the title race tightening, Arteta’s side must respond with a dominant victory if they still pose a chance of maintaining their lead in the title race. For Tudor, this is an immediate opportunity to ignite belief among Spurs fans and spark a revival in what has been a deeply disappointing season.