Arsenal will host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League's North London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The league leaders aim to maintain their four-point advantage over Manchester City, while Tottenham seek to disrupt their rivals' title push. Key injuries, including to Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes, add intrigue to the matchup.
The Premier League's standout fixture this weekend pits Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30pm GMT on November 22, 2025. Arsenal enter as table toppers with 26 points from 11 games, having conceded just five goals but ending a run of 10 straight wins and eight clean sheets with a 2-2 draw at Sunderland before the international break. Tottenham sit fifth with 18 points, bolstered by the league's best away record of 13 points from five matches.
Arsenal's defensive solidity faces a test without centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who suffered a thigh injury during Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Senegal and is sidelined for weeks. Manager Mikel Arteta described the absence as a blow, noting Gabriel's leadership in the back line, but highlighted options like summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie. Other concerns include Martin Odegaard's ongoing knee injury, Kai Havertz's relapse, and Gabriel Jesus's ACL recovery pushing his return to the new year. Doubts linger over Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and Riccardo Calafiori.
Arteta expressed excitement for the derby, calling it a privilege and emphasizing the energy from fans and players. Tottenham's Thomas Frank, in his first taste of the fixture, anticipates a chaotic encounter. He aims for 'controlled chaos' through transitions, high pressure, and set pieces, insisting his side will always seek a win rather than settle for a draw.
Historically, Arsenal lead with 89 wins in 211 meetings, compared to Tottenham's 67 and 55 draws. Arsenal are unbeaten in the last six derbies and completed the double last season. Tottenham's last victory was a 3-0 home win in May 2022.
Predicted lineups suggest Arsenal in a 4-3-3 with Raya in goal, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, and Calafiori at the back, Eze, Zubimendi, and Rice in midfield, and Saka, Merino, and Trossard up front. Tottenham could line up in a 4-3-3 with Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha, Simons; Johnson, Richarlison, Odobert. For Tottenham, Randal Kolo Muani returns from a head injury, joined by Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Pape Matar Sarr, though Mohammed Kudus is doubtful and longer-term absentees include Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Yves Bissouma.