Tottenham vs Arsenal: Preview, predictions and lineups

The first north London derby of the 2024/25 season comes just four games into the Premier League season, with Tottenham hosting Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs have made an underwhelming start to the new season in terms of results, dropping points at Leicester City on the opening day and falling to defeat in their most recent outing at Newcastle United. While a 4-0 demolition of Everton secured their first win of the campaign on matchday two, Ange Postecoglou’s men are yet to hit their stride.

Arsenal had made a convincing start to 2024/25 after 2-0 victories over Midlands clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa. However, a drama-fuelled affair with Brighton & Hove Albion followed at the Emirates Stadium, with Declan Rice’s red card proving costly as the Gunners stumbled to a 1-1 draw.

Of course, there are more than points up for grabs this weekend, with both sets of supporters desperate to own the bragging rights come the full-time whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both meetings last term were high-scoring thrill rides, with a 2-2 draw at the Emirates and a tense 3-2 victory for Arsenal in the reverse fixture.

Here is 90min’s guide to a bumper north London derby.

Tottenham vs Arsenal H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Having missed Spurs‘ last two matches with an ankle issue, there remains hope that Dominic Solanke will feature in his first north London derby this weekend. However, the English striker remains a doubt for the fixture.

Solanke’s replacement Richarlison is absent with a muscle injury sustained prior to the Newcastle defeat, meaning that Dejan Kulusevski may be asked to lead the line in a false nine role once again.

Micky van de Ven missed the clash with Newcastle due to a knock and should be available to feature this Sunday, with Radu Dragusin waiting in the wings if the Dutchman isn’t passed fit. Yves Bissouma picked up an injury on international duty and could miss out as a result.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Johnson, Maddison, Son; Kulusevski.

Arsenal are without two crucial contributors for the trip to Spurs, with Declan Rice suspended after his red card against Brighton and Martin Odegaard sidelined after sustaining an ankle injury on international duty. The Norwegian is expected to miss several weeks.

Summer signing Mikel Merino joins Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney in the treatment room, with Gabriel Jesus also a major doubt after missing Arsenal’s last two matches with a groin injury. Riccardo Calafiori also sustained a knock on international duty with Italy but could be fit to feature this weekend.

Thomas Partey will have extra responsibility in midfield given Rice’s absence and Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make about how to replace the influential Odegaard.

Raheem Sterling could make his Arsenal debut in the north London derby, with the club failing to register him in time for the draw with Brighton last time out.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Jorginho, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Sterling.

North London derbies never fail to deliver when it comes to excitement, entertainment and chaos, with Sunday’s iteration likely to be no different. Both sides have significant injury concerns, only exacerbating what will be a frenzied affair.

Arsenal will be favourites on paper but their weakened midfield and subsequent tactical reshuffle could have a significant impact on their fluidity in both halves. This one is just too tough to predict, so we’re sitting on the fence with a high-octane draw.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal

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