The stage is set for one of the most anticipated clashes in English football as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Arsenal to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the North London derby on Sunday, February 22, 2026. With both teams at crucial junctures in their Premier League campaigns, the stakes have rarely felt higher. Arsenal, clinging to the top of the table, face a Tottenham side desperate for a new-manager bounce under Igor Tudor after a torrid start to the year. The match, kicking off at 11:30 EST (16:30 GMT), promises drama, intensity, and potentially season-defining consequences for both clubs.
Arsenal come into the derby as clear favorites, at least according to the Opta supercomputer, which gives the Gunners a 60.1% chance of victory based on pre-match simulations. History is on their side too: Arsenal have won six of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs, including the last four in a row. That streak is their best since the late 1980s, and another win would see them match a run last achieved between January 1987 and January 1989.
But form is only part of the story. Tottenham, currently languishing just five points above the relegation zone after an eight-match winless streak, are enduring their worst run within a single campaign since 2007. Not only are they the only Premier League side yet to register a win in 2026, but this is also their worst start to a calendar year since 1994, when they failed to win any of their first ten games. The club’s hierarchy acted decisively, replacing Thomas Frank with Igor Tudor, who has a reputation for providing an immediate lift—he’s won the first match in each of his last five managerial appointments, including stints at Hajduk Split, Verona, Marseille, Lazio, and Juventus.
For Tudor, though, the challenge is immense. Spurs’ home form has been dismal, with only 10 points collected at their stadium this season—the third-worst record in the division. Their injury list is extensive: Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Mohammed Kudus are all out, while captain Cristian Romero is suspended, serving the third of a four-match ban. There is a glimmer of hope that Porro and Richarlison could return, but the squad remains stretched.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have their own headaches. Their recent away form has been shaky, with draws against Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and most recently a 2-2 collapse at Wolves after leading 2-0. That result was a gut-punch: "Following goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapié, his team were assigned a 98.1% chance of taking all three points, but after Hugo Bueno’s curler and Tom Edozie’s debut goal in stoppage time, they had to settle for one and were taunted by the Wolves fans as they trudged from the field," reported The Analyst. Arsenal have now dropped seven points from winning positions in 2026—more than any other team except Crystal Palace and West Ham. In three of their last five league games, they’ve failed to convert leads into wins.
Despite these wobbles, Arsenal remain title favorites according to the Opta supercomputer, albeit with their championship probability dropping to 79.7%. Their lead at the top could shrink to just two points by kickoff if Manchester City beat Newcastle on Saturday. The pressure is palpable, and questions about the Gunners’ nerve are growing louder.
There is, however, some good news for Arsenal fans. Bukayo Saka, who ended a 15-game goal drought when deployed as a number 10 against Wolves, signed a new long-term contract on Thursday, February 20. Saka’s return to form could be pivotal in a fixture where he has often shone. The Gunners also have fond memories of the reverse fixture this season—a 4-1 demolition of Spurs at the Emirates, featuring an Eberechi Eze hat-trick. Eze, who almost joined Tottenham last summer, has scored six goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Spurs, including three in two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham’s defensive frailties are a concern, especially without Romero. Ironically, their defenders have been a rare bright spot, contributing 10 Premier League goals this season—the highest total and proportion (28%) among all teams in 2025-26. Yet, Spurs have also been prone to costly mistakes, with own goals haunting them in recent derbies. In fact, Tottenham have scored six own goals against Arsenal in their last six league meetings, more than against any other club.
The North London derby has a reputation for high drama and goals. It’s the fifth highest-scoring fixture in Premier League history, with 195 goals in 67 meetings—an average of 2.9 per game. There have been 45 occasions where both teams have scored, a record for any Premier League matchup. The fixture also holds the record for most penalties awarded (24), with all but two converted. And while there have been six goals scored in the 90th minute or later, there’s never been a winning goal in stoppage time—a streak that could end given the stakes on Sunday.
Arsenal’s away record in London derbies is formidable. They’ve lost just one of their last 21 away games against fellow London clubs in the Premier League, not suffering defeat since December 2023. Mikel Arteta’s record in London derbies is the best among managers with at least 20 such matches, with a win rate of 60.3%. Only Arsène Wenger and José Mourinho have won more.
Predicted lineups see Guglielmo Vicario in goal for Spurs, with a back line featuring Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Micky van de Ven, and Djed Spence. The midfield could include Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, and Conor Gallagher, with Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani, and Dominic Solanke up front. Arsenal are likely to field David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Piero Hincapié, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyökeres. Arteta might have Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard back, but Mikel Merino remains out for the season.
For fans eager to watch, the match will be broadcast on USA Network (USA), Sky Sports (UK), Stan Sport (Australia), Fubo Canada (Canada), JioStar (India), SuperSport (Africa), Astro (Malaysia), and beIN Sports MENA (Middle East). New Fubo customers in the United States can access a free five-day trial, and VPNs are recommended for those facing geo-restrictions.
As the whistle approaches, both teams find themselves at a crossroads. Arsenal are fighting to stay ahead in the title race, while Spurs are desperate to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle. The North London derby rarely disappoints, and with so much on the line, Sunday’s clash could deliver another unforgettable chapter in this storied rivalry.