English Premier
2026-02-22 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 22nd February 2026 - Kick Off 4:30pm
This game is live on TV
Tottenham Hotspur
After another home loss and more disdain shown towards him from the supporters, it was no surprise that Thomas Frank's time as Tottenham Hotspur was ended mere months after being appointed. There is a real concern that the team are slipping towards a quite unbelievable relegation and so something had to change, but put your hands up if you picked Igor Tudor as the man to take interim charge!
He never played in England as a player and Igor Tudor has never managed in the country, while his managerial record with Marseille, Lazio and Juventus is hardly inspiring- make no mistake, this is a gamble from the Tottenham Hotspur board. The fans will have to get behind the team at a ground where Spurs have an awful 2-4-7 record in the Premier League, which is the big reason they are 16th in the standings and just 5 points clear of West Ham United in the relegation zone.
Tottenham Hotspur did win a couple of Champions League matches last month, which pushed them into the Last 16 with a top eight finish, but they have not won any of the last 8 Premier League games. The side have won just 1 of the last 6 games at home against English opposition and Tottenham Hotspur have been beaten 4 times in that run.
Injuries were a big reason for Thomas Frank's struggles as manager and Igor Tudor has inherited a long list of absentees. Cristian Romero is suspended, while the closest players to a return are Pedro Porro and Richarlison.
Arsenal
The supporters were extremely unhappy in the aftermath of the latest draw in the Premier League and those in the stands were in complete shock. Taking a 0-2 lead at Molineux should have allowed Arsenal to kick on, but they never took control against the bottom club and became the first Premier League leader to blow a two goal lead and failing to win against a club in the relegation zone since this Division was formed in 1992.
None of that should matter, but there are going to be plenty of eyes on the Premier League leaders and see how they respond on Sunday. Manchester City's home game against Newcastle United feels important and a win for Pep Guardiola's men will really ramp up the pressure on Arsenal who have a 7-5-2 away record in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal had followed the defeat to Manchester United by winning 4 in a row in all competitions, but back to back draws in the Premier League have been concerning. Those results mean Arsenal have won 2 of the last 7 Premier League games played and opened the door for Manchester City to take control of the destiny of the title. Arsenal have drawn 3 of the last 4 away Premier League fixtures played.
Martin Odegaard is hoping to be available this weekend, but both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard picked up knocks on Wednesday. The latter was a potential concussion issue, which would leave him more doubtful than Saka who may have not twisted his knee for another spell on the sidelines.
Head to Head
Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick as Arsenal crushed Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 at home earlier this season.
After a run of 3 straight home wins in the North London derby, Tottenham Hotspur have now been beaten 3 times in a row here against their biggest rivals.
Prediction
If this match was played three weeks ago, you might have made Arsenal a really strong favourite as Tottenham Hotspur continued to struggle under Thomas Frank.
However, there are a lot more uncertainties about both teams heading into this North London derby that has a big impact at both ends of the Premier League table.
Tottenham Hotspur are just 5 points clear of the bottom three and play after both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest this weekend. That gap could be incredibly uncomfortable at kick off, but the change in manager may see the supporters even more ready to get behind the home team against the old rivals.
The appointment of Igor Tudor came out of left field to say the least.
His time with Lazio and Juventus was disappointing and Tottenham Hotspur are still going to be without a number of key players in the squad, but removing Thomas Frank may have lifted some of the darkening clouds and you would have to expect some kind of reaction from the squad.
Arsenal fans will also make the short journey across North London knowing their team have begun this weekend 5 points clear, albeit this time at the top of the Premier League. However, much like Spurs, Arsenal fans will have been watching the football on Saturday and hoping the main rivals behind them have not picked up important wins, most notably Manchester City.
If that has happened, this is going to become a really tough game for Arsenal even if they have won 3 times in a row in this Stadium. They have won under pressure in April 2024 having almost blown a 0-3 lead int that fixture, but the current group have looked a little uncertain and that is going to make this a difficult contest.
You can understand why the layers have set Arsenal as favourites, but there are factors around this North London derby that are making it a more haphazard fixture to predict.
Recent away form produced by Arsenal is not very encouraging, but Tottenham Hotspur have been struggling defensively.
About the only positive for Spurs fans is that the team have been scoring goals having done so in 12 straight home games and Igor Tudor will want his team to give the fans something to support. He has stated that he does not play for draws, although you would expect Tottenham Hotspur to be comfortable with a point, and that may end up seeing this North London fire up into a higher scoring fixture.
8 of the last 10 North London derby games have finished with at least three goals shared out and that looks like being a potential winner on Sunday afternoon as both teams try and ease some pressure that has built around them.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Arsenal
