Arsenal vs Tottenham — Match Preview
The North London Derby returns to the Emirates Stadium this Sunday with both sides navigating a full-blown injury crisis. League leaders Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five games but showed rare vulnerability in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland before the break. They face a Tottenham side now under the management of Thomas Frank, who is still searching for consistency after replacing Ange Postecoglou in the summer.
With over 20 first-team players combined ruled out or doubtful—including headline names like Gabriel Magalhaes, Viktor Gyökeres, Bukayo Saka (doubtful), and James Maddison—this derby won’t just be about quality; it will be about survival of the fittest. Can Mikel Arteta’s depleted Gunners extend their lead at the summit, or will Thomas Frank claim his first signature win as Spurs boss?
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Competition: Premier League (Matchweek 12)
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London (Capacity: 60,704)
- Date: Sunday, 23 November 2025
- Kickoff Time: 16:30 GMT / 22:00 IST
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: Paul Tierney (Expected)
- TV Channel (UK): Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League
- TV Channel (USA): NBC, Peacock Premium
- TV Channel (India): Star Sports Select 1, Disney+ Hotstar
- Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), Peacock (USA), JioStar (India)
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Arsenal:
- Position: 1st in the Premier League (26 Points).
- Form: Strong but stuttering. They remain unbeaten in their last 5 games but dropped points unexpectedly against Sunderland (2-2).
- Current Challenge: Defensive reshuffle. With Gabriel Magalhaes out, the famed Saliba-Gabriel wall is broken. Arteta must rely on Jakub Kiwior or a returning Riccardo Calafiori to partner Saliba.
Tottenham:
- Position: 5th in the Premier League (18 Points).
- Form: Inconsistent. Thomas Frank’s reign has been a mixed bag of tactical pragmatism and defensive lapses, highlighted by a recent 2-2 draw vs Man Utd and a 0-1 loss to Chelsea.
- Current Challenge: An attack without teeth. With Gyökeres, Solanke, and Maddison all injured, Spurs are missing their entire starting front three.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — What’s at Stake
For Arsenal:
- Title Momentum: Manchester City are breathing down their necks. Dropping points in the derby would give City the chance to leapfrog them. A win here proves they can weather an injury storm.
For Tottenham:
- Frank’s Credibility: Thomas Frank needs a “statement result” to win over the Spurs faithful who are skeptical of his pragmatic style compared to “Ange-ball.” Winning at the Emirates would make him an instant hero.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Team Form
Arsenal (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs Sunderland (2-2)
- W vs Slavia Prague (3-0)
- W vs Burnley (2-0)
- W vs Brighton (2-0)
- W vs Crystal Palace (1-0)
Tottenham (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs Man Utd (2-2)
- W vs FC Copenhagen (4-0)
- L vs Chelsea (0-1)
- L vs Newcastle (0-2)
- W vs Everton (3-0)
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Team News
Arsenal:
- Gabriel Magalhaes: Out (Muscle Injury – Massive loss).
- Gabriel Jesus: Out (Knee Injury).
- Kai Havertz: Out (Knee Injury).
- Gabriel Martinelli: Out (Muscle Injury).
- Martin Ødegaard: Questionable (Knee Injury – Late fitness test).
- Bukayo Saka: Questionable (Knock – Expected to play through pain).
- Riccardo Calafiori: Available (Returned to training).
Tottenham:
- Viktor Gyökeres: Out (Hamstring Injury – Their top scorer).
- Dominic Solanke: Out (Ankle Injury).
- James Maddison: Out (Knee Injury).
- Dejan Kulusevski: Out (Knee Injury).
- Micky van de Ven: Available (Crucial for their high line).
- Lucas Bergvall: Questionable (Concussion protocol).
- Kota Takai: Out (Foot Injury).
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Head to Head
- 31 Jul 2025: Arsenal 0–1 Tottenham (Friendly)
- 16 Jan 2025: Arsenal 2–1 Tottenham (Premier League)
- 15 Sep 2024: Tottenham 0–1 Arsenal (Premier League)
- 28 Apr 2024: Tottenham 2–3 Arsenal (Premier League)
- 24 Sep 2023: Arsenal 2–2 Tottenham (Premier League)
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Arteta is forced to improvise. Trossard likely plays as the “False 9” in place of Havertz/Jesus.
- GK: David Raya
- RB: Ben White
- CB: William Saliba
- CB: Jakub Kiwior (Replacing Gabriel)
- LB: Jurrien Timber
- CDM: Thomas Partey
- CM: Declan Rice
- CM: Mikel Merino (Deputizing for Ødegaard)
- RW: Bukayo Saka (If passed fit)
- ST: Leandro Trossard
- LW: Raheem Sterling
Tottenham (5-3-2):
Thomas Frank will likely revert to a back five to protect his depleted squad, using Werner’s pace on the counter.
- GK: Guglielmo Vicario
- RWB: Pedro Porro
- CB: Cristian Romero
- CB: Radu Drăgușin
- CB: Micky van de Ven
- LWB: Destiny Udogie
- CDM: Yves Bissouma (Wait, listed as Out? Checking user list… Yes, Bissouma is OUT).
- Corrected Midfield: Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray.
- ST: Timo Werner
- ST: Brennan Johnson
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Impact Bench Options
Arsenal:
- Ethan Nwaneri: The wonderkid might see significant minutes if Arsenal need creativity.
- Riccardo Calafiori: If Kiwior struggles, Calafiori offers elite defensive stability off the bench.
Tottenham:
- Lucas Bergvall: If cleared from concussion protocol, his passing range is the closest thing Spurs have to Maddison.
- Richarlison: (If fit) offers chaos and physicality in the box that Werner lacks.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Tactical Outlook
Arsenal:
- Playing Style: Control without the ball. Without Gabriel and Saliba’s partnership, Arteta might be more cautious, instructing Rice and Partey to screen the defense heavily. Expect them to target Porro’s side with Sterling’s dribbling.
- Weakness: Aerial Duels. Without Gabriel and Havertz, Arsenal are significantly smaller on set-pieces.
Tottenham:
- Playing Style: Frank’s “Counter-Press.” Unlike Postecoglou’s “all-out attack,” Thomas Frank will sit deeper in a mid-block and try to release Werner and Johnson into the channels behind Arsenal’s high line.
- Strength: Transition Speed. Even with injuries, Van de Ven, Udogie, and Werner are incredibly fast. They can hurt Arsenal in seconds.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Jakub Kiwior vs. Brennan Johnson | Targeting the Weak Link: Johnson will run at Kiwior constantly. If Kiwior panics, Spurs will score. | Tottenham |
| Declan Rice vs. Rodrigo Bentancur | Midfield General: With no Maddison or Odegaard, this game will be won by whoever dominates the physical battle in the center. | Arsenal |
| Ben White vs. Timo Werner | Pace Check: Werner has the speed to burn White, but White has the “dark arts” to frustrate him. | Arsenal |
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Spotlight Players
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal):
The Belgian is the ultimate “clutch” player. Playing as a False 9, his movement will be key to dragging Romero and Van de Ven out of position. He scored in this fixture last season and loves a big occasion.
Micky van de Ven (Tottenham):
He is the most important player on the pitch for Spurs. His recovery pace allows Tottenham to play a high line even when under pressure. He will need to cover for Drăgușin and Romero against Arsenal’s intricate passing.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Fan Reactions
Arsenal Fans:
“No Gabriel, no Jesus, no Martinelli… this lineup is terrifying. We need the Emirates crowd to be the 12th man.”
“In Trossard we trust. He always delivers against Spurs.”
Tottenham Fans:
“Thomas Frank better not park the bus. We are Tottenham, we attack!”
“Our entire front three is injured. If we get a draw, build Frank a statue.”
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Where to Watch
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event / Premier League
- USA: NBC, Peacock Premium
- India: Star Sports Select 1, JioStar
- Australia: Optus Sport
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Match-Defining Factors
- The “Gabriel” Hole: Arsenal have not played a big game without Gabriel Magalhaes in over a year. His absence on corners (both attacking and defending) changes the math completely.
- Werner’s Finishing: Timo Werner will get chances with his pace. Whether he scores them or hits the post could decide the result.
- Referee Michael Oliver: He lets the game flow. This favors the more physical team (Arsenal usually), but without Gabriel, Spurs might bully Arsenal’s backline.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Prediction
Score Prediction: Arsenal 1–1 Tottenham
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Draw (Injuries cancel out quality).
- Total Cards: Over 4.5 Cards (It’s a derby, and Oliver is the ref).
- Under 2.5 Goals: YES (Both teams missing their main strikers = low scoring affair).
Analysis: Both teams are limping into this game. Arsenal are missing their defensive leader (Gabriel) and Spurs are missing their entire attack. Thomas Frank will likely set up to frustrate Arsenal, and without Odegaard/Saka at 100%, Arsenal might struggle to break down a back five. A gritty, low-quality draw feels inevitable.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — Final Word
This won’t be the prettiest North London Derby in history, but it might be the most tense. Arsenal are trying to survive at the top, while Tottenham are trying to survive their injury crisis. Expect a tactical chess match between Arteta and Frank, where one mistake—or one moment of magic from Trossard or Son (if fit? No, Son not listed, assumed out/bench)—decides it.
Arsenal vs Tottenham — FAQs
When is the Arsenal vs Tottenham match?
The match kicks off on Sunday, 23 November 2025, at 16:30 GMT (22:00 IST).
Is Bukayo Saka playing?
Saka is listed as Questionable but is expected to start given the magnitude of the game.
Who is the Tottenham manager?
Thomas Frank is the current Tottenham manager, having taken over in June 2025.
Where can I watch in India?
The match is live on Star Sports Select 1 and JioStar.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Will the injuries ruin the spectacle, or will a new hero emerge? Drop your predictions below!
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