Sports Mole

Leeds United are reportedly interested in singing Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc during the summer transfer window.

The Whites picked up a respectable share of the points at the home of Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

However, it could have been a lot better for Leeds after an Anton Stach free kick gave them the lead in the first period.

Unai Emery's side rallied back for a point, though, with January arrival Tammy Abraham finding the net.

Leeds are well-placed to avoid relegation back to the Championship this term, adapting to the top flight admirably.

Leeds join Spurs, Villa in Sulc race?

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds have their eyes set on a highly-rated midfielder ahead of the summer window.

The report claims that the Yorkshire-based club are keen on securing the signature of Lyon star Sulc.

It is understood that fellow Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Villa are also considering moves for the Czech Republic international.

A main suitor for Sulc arrives from Spain and La Liga, where Atletico Madrid are supposedly interested in the playmaker.

Elsewhere in the English top flight, Nottingham Forest are known to be admirers of the 18-time international.

Uphill battle for Sulc

Since making the switch from Viktoria Plzen to Lyon in August, attacking midfielder Sulc has scored 13 goals across 31 matches.

The 25-year-old has proven his ability to thrive in a top-five European league, leading to plenty of interest ahead of the summer.

Given the other clubs linked to Sulc, Leeds face an uphill battle attempting to lure the player to Elland Road.

Tottenham Hotspur number one Guglielmo Vicario is allegedly 'dreaming' of a move back to Serie A as Juventus and Inter Milan circle for his signature.

The former Empoli man has endured a turbulent season in North London, mixed with praise for a couple of save-laden displays and criticism for other underwhelming performances in between the sticks.

Vicario could not be fully blamed for any of Arsenal's goals in Sunday's 4-1 North London derby defeat, but the result leaves Igor Tudor's men facing the very real prospect of relegation to the Championship.

The Lilywhites are only four points clear of the drop zone in 16th place in the Premier League table, and an unthinkable drop down to the second tier would no doubt lead to a mass player exodus.

First-choice goalkeeper Vicario would be one of several notable names expected to depart in that scenario, especially with both Inter and Juventus said to be battling for his signature ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Tottenham transfer news: Guglielmo Vicario's 'dream' revealed

Inter are planning for the future without the veteran Yann Sommer, who is out of contract at the end of the season, while the Old Lady are searching for cover and competition for Michele Di Gregorio.

The latest update from Corriere dello Sport claims that Vicario 'dreams' of leaving Tottenham for his homeland, and his entourage have been in discussions with Inter for a number of months now.

On Spurs' part, the club seemingly accept that they cannot hold onto their number one if their campaign continues in a disastrous manner, and they would be willing to accept between £21.8m and £26.2m for his sale.

However, Inter are reluctant to fork out that much for the Italy international, which could be to Juventus' benefit as the Old Lady aim to 'interfere' in Vicario negotiations.

The 29-year-old has kept 13 clean sheets in 37 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 season for Tottenham, who have him under contract for another two and a half seasons.

Who can Tottenham replace Guglielmo Vicario with?

Tottenham have never been short of goalkeepers in their first-team squad, with Vicario currently backed up by Antonin Kinsky and Brandon Austin, but the latter is seldom seen on the pitch.

Whether Kinsky is ready for regular Premier League football is also another question entirely, but Vicario going to Juventus raises the possibility of a swap deal involving Di Gregorio.

The 28-year-old was linked with a move to the Premier League before making the switch to Turin, but his displays have been met with mixed reviews, and Juve may not be entirely against a departure.

North London was painted red on Sunday after Premier League leaders and title hopefuls Arsenal secured a 4-1 victory over relegation-threatened rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs entered half time level with the Gunners after Randal Kolo Muani cancelled out an opener from Eberechi Eze, but Mikel Arteta’s side held their nerve and possessed too much class after the interval.

Indeed, Eze netted his second of the match in between two superb strikes from Viktor Gyokeres to help Arsenal restore their five-point lead at the Premier League summit and condemn Igor Tudor to defeat in his first game as interim Spurs head coach.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at five key talking points from what was a memorable North London derby for Arsenal, but a miserable one for Spurs.

Arsenal find perfect derby response as Man City title battle intensifies

Momentum appeared to be draining from Arsenal's bid to win the title following a run of just two wins in seven Premier League games (D5 L1), including frustrating score draws with Brentford and Wolves.

Past pain had resurfaced for a Gunners side who have finished third in each of the last three PL seasons and can feel title rivals Manchester City breathing down their necks. However, Arteta’s men answered questions posed about their nerve under mounting pressure by producing a commanding and professional performance against Spurs.

Responding in such emphatic fashion, following an embarrassing 2-2 draw with basement club Wolves just four days earlier, has provided Arsenal with a much-needed boost in their quest to win their first top-flight title for more than two decades.

Now, the test for Arteta and co - who are desperate to end their five-year trophy drought - is to put together a positive run of league form, while fending off stiff competition from Man City and also juggling other domestic and continental duties in the coming weeks and months.

Spurs are in real relegation danger despite Tudor’s optimism

The 2024-25 Premier League campaign felt like a nadir for Spurs after limping to a 17th-placed finish, but a miserable run of form has left supporters fearing the prospect of slipping into the Championship.

Spurs are the only Premier League team who are yet to win in 2026, drawing four and losing five, and after suffering their 12th defeat of the season at the hands of their bitter rivals Arsenal, they remain 16th in the table and just four points above the relegation zone with 11 games remaining.

The Lilywhites were second best against Arsenal, but Tudor remains confident that he can steer his injury-hit side away from danger, albeit admitting that “it is a big job to do” to turn the club’s fortunes around.

Tottenham can ill-afford to drop more points in their next two Premier League fixtures against Fulham and Crystal Palace, before taking on Liverpool, relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and Sunderland in their next three games after March’s international break.

Gyokeres produced his “most complete” performance at crucial moment

Gyokeres has received criticism for some of his all-round performances since completing his £66.3m summer transfer to Arsenal, but in an important game where the Gunners needed their big-money striker to step up, the Swede delivered his best display in a red and white shirt, scoring two well-taken goals in the process.

The 27-year-old has found form at a crucial moment in Arsenal’s season, netting eight goals in his last 12 appearances in all competitions at a time when both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are also battling for regular starts in the final third.

Arteta was full of praise for Sunday’s Man of the Match, telling reporters: “For me, the best, the most complete (performance). His overall play was incredible... When we needed him most, that is when big players and big clubs have to stand up.”

Some may still have doubts over whether Gyokeres has the technique and tactical acumen required to thrive in the Premier League, but no-one can question his explosive finishing. The Gunners will have a stronger chance of winning the title if he can maintain his form in front of goal heading down the home straight.

Eze loves playing against Tottenham!

Only two Arsenal players have scored more Premier League goals in North London derbies than Eberechi Eze, despite him featuring in just two games against Spurs since his £67.5m summer transfer to the Emirates.

The midfielder netted a memorable hat-trick in a 4-1 home win for the Gunners earlier this season before scoring a brace on Sunday to move him onto five North London derby goals, remarkably equalling the scoring feats of both Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie (five goals each) in this fixture.

Including games for former club Crystal Palace, Eze has played nine times in total against Tottenham and has scored eight goals, netting more against Spurs than any other opponent in his career to date.

Eze scored two of those goals in a 2-0 away win for Palace against Spurs last season, meaning he has found the net seven times across his last three appearances against the Lilywhites.

Tottenham must address horrific home form amid relegation fears

One of the main factors behind Tottenham’s demise has been their horrific home form, with only basement club Wolves (six) accumulating fewer Premier League points on their own turf than Spurs (10).

A 3-0 opening-weekend win over Burnley in August and a 2-0 victory against Brentford in early December represent the only two home triumphs for Tottenham in 14 league matches at their own stadium this season.

Spurs have suffered the second-most home losses (eight) and have also conceded the third-most home goals (22) in the division, statistics that make for grim reading.

In addition, Tottenham’s four-game losing streak at home to Arsenal is their longest in the Premier League since the 1950s, one defeat more than in their previous 23 encounters (W10 D10).

Aston Villa have been handed a major boost in their hopes of keeping star attacker Morgan Rogers ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report.

The 23-year-old has taken his game to a new level since moving to Villa Park in February 2024 and has established himself as one of the Premier League's best players under the guidance of head coach Unai Emery.

Last season, Rogers recorded 14 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances for Villa, and he has since contributed with 10 goals and seven assists in 38 games so far this term, scoring more goals and playing more minutes (3,083) than any of his teammates.

The versatile attacking midfielder has also impressed on the international stage for England, with head coach Thomas Tuchel selecting him five times in his starting lineup across eight of the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Rogers’s impressive ascent and increasing importance at domestic and international level is understood to have drawn interest from a number of top clubs who are said to have been tracking him closely.

Villa can keep hold of Rogers with or without Champions League football

Tottenham Hotspur have allegedly identified Rogers as a ‘dream’ transfer target, while Manchester United are said to be ‘giving serious consideration’ to moving for Villa’s No.27 this summer.

Liverpool are another Premier League club that have recently been credited with an interest, though talks with the player’s representatives over a big-money move to Anfield have been played down.

The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City - where Rogers was on the books between 2019 and 2023 - and French giants Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the playmaker, as speculation over a potential exit continues to grow.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are currently walking a financial tightrope after cutting back spending over several seasons in an effort to improve their PSR position.

However, the report adds that Villa’s ability to keep hold of Rogers this summer will not depend on Emery’s side securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Villa under no pressure to sell in-demand Rogers this summer

Sources have claimed that Villa remain under ‘no pressure’ to sell their star attacker and their stance is ‘highly unlikely to change’, even if they miss out on the financial boost of Champions League qualification.

Villa are currently well-placed to secure at least a top-five finish in the Premier League this season, as they sit third in the table and six points ahead of each of the three teams directly below them, with Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool all level on 45 points.

Emery will be keen to see his team’s form improve as they head down the home straight, though, following a run of just two wins in their last seven Premier League games (D3 L2).

Rogers, who is believed to be valued by Villa at around £100m, is under contract at Villa Park until June 2031.

Kevin Danso and Pedro Porro could both return for Tottenham Hotspur's match against Fulham on Sunday, Igor Tudor has revealed.

If Spurs thought the season could not get worse, their 4-1 home defeat against fierce rivals Arsenal proved otherwise, with the loss leaving them just four points above the Premier League's relegation zone.

The match was Tudor's first in charge, and while his team were deservedly beaten, he cannot be entirely blamed for the performance considering 12 players missed the game due to either injury or suspension.

Speaking to reporters after the North London derby, Tudor was hopeful that Porro and Danso would make the squad for next week's game against Fulham, saying: "Yeah, probably [the] two of them [will return]. We hope. We're going to see now what is best for the team.”

With just 11 games remaining in the Premier League this season, Tudor will need as many of his players back fit if he is to guide the club to safety.

How significant is the return of Kevin Danso and Pedro Porro?

Tudor has shown a preference for a back three during his time as a manager, and while there are doubts about the quality of Danso, his inclusion in the XI would allow Joao Palhinha to be used in a more natural midfield position against Fulham.

Porro's return would be significantly more impactful than Danso given the former is excellent with the ball, and his ability to progress would benefit the team's ability to build up from the back.

The Spaniard directly contributed to 26 goals in the three Premier League seasons prior to the current campaign, highlighting his impact in attack.

Porro is one of few creative passers in Spurs squad, and if he can maintain his fitness for an extended period, then struggling forwards like Richarlison and Dominic Solanke may receive more chances.

Will Tottenham Hotspur avoid Premier League relegation?

The threat of demotion must be taken seriously considering the team are 16th in the division, and with the club winless in nine league games, confidence is almost certainly at rock bottom in the Tottenham squad.

Spurs' lifeline in their fight for survival is that they will host 17th-placed Nottingham Forest on March 22, and a win in that clash would likely make them favourites to finish ahead of the Garibaldi.

Lucas Bergvall allegedly intends to reject any opportunity to leave Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window.

The midfielder was one of many notable absentees as Spurs suffered a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in Sunday's North London derby.

As a result, Spurs remain four points above the Premier League relegation zone, with Igor Tudor's contract only scheduled to run until the end of the season.

If Spurs fail to secure Champions League football for 2026-27, there is the possibility of some of their key players attracting strong interest from elsewhere.

Bergvall - who is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in European football - falls into that bracket.

Bergvall to hand Spurs boost over future?

According to Football Insider, the 20-year-old is in no rush to push for a move from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The report suggests that the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa failed with enquiries during the winter market.

Nevertheless, even if the pair return to the negotiating table, Bergvall is said to be of the opinion that he wants to continue to develop at Spurs.

Transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke said: "He’s highly regarded at Tottenham, he’s under a long contract until 2031 and there was no surprise that they rebuffed those inquiries from Chelsea and Villa in the January window.

"Bergvall, for his stance as well, he is happy at Tottenham and wants to do his best for them.

"As I said Tottenham see him as a key part of their long-term future at the club as well so they don’t want to even consider letting Lucas Bergvall leave."

How has Bergvall performed for Spurs?

Given Spurs' long-term struggles, Bergvall has arguably been used far more frequently than was initially planned.

The Sweden international has already made 40 starts and 31 substitute outings in all competitions since the summer of 2024.

While just two goals and eight assists have been recorded, the playmaker remains highly-regarded at the club.

Moving forward, Bergvall is likely to be viewed as a first-choice pick in a midfield or creative role, partly due to Spurs having already handed him a contract until 2031.

Unless Spurs receive a proposal that is too tempting to turn down, Bergvall is in line to stay put, even if his current employers remain away from the Premier League title picture.

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba set a unique record in the Gunners' 4-1 dismantling of Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's Premier League North London derby.

Mikel Arteta's men trekked to their rivals' home under pressure to respond to their catastrophic 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, and respond they did with an emphatic performance against Igor Tudor's men.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both helped themselves to braces at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where a Randal Kolo Muani equaliser did not prove disastrous for the league leaders.

The Frenchman briefly believed he had also joined the two-goal club in the second half, only to be penalised for a foul on Gabriel Magalhaes, much to Tottenham's chagrin.

However, Gabriel's central partner Saliba managed to steer clear of such controversy, and the France international rewrote the history books with a never-before-seen derby feat.

William Saliba wins first four away North London derbies in Premier League

Indeed, Saliba is now the first-ever Arsenal player to win each of their first four league matches away to Tottenham, having also been involved in victories in 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and now 2025-26.

The Frenchman's breakthrough season at Arsenal in 2022-23 saw the Gunners ease to a 2-0 win on Tottenham's turf, thanks to a Hugo Lloris own goal and a Martin Odegaard strike.

The Gunners then succeeded 3-2 the next campaign, before edging out Ange Postecoglou's side 1-0 in 2024-25, when Gabriel's bullet header was the difference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Arsenal match 91-year-old club record in Tottenham thrashing

Not only did Saliba enter the North London derby record books, but Arsenal achieved some of their Premier League bests in Sunday's merciless mauling.

A 4-1 victory represents Arsenal's biggest-ever Premier League win away to Tottenham, and their most emphatic for 48 years, following a 5-0 success in December 1978.

Furthermore, the Gunners have also scored at least four goals in both matches against Spurs in a single season for the first time since the 1934-35 campaign, when they ended up as First Division champions.

Arsenal now have a week to prepare for next Sunday's visit of Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium, prior to which Manchester City take on Leeds United at Elland Road.

An awesome Arsenal surged to their biggest-ever Premier League away win over Tottenham Hotspur as they demolished the Lilywhites 4-1 in Sunday's North London derby.

A customarily chaotic start to this weekend's main event - in which the Gunners started the dominant side - was quickly nipped in the bud, as play was stopped for a good five minutes due to a farcical communications error on the officials' end.

However, the action soon picked up again, as perpetual Tottenham nemesis Eze deservedly put Arsenal ahead, but a mindless moment from Declan Rice gifted Randal Kolo Muani an equaliser just two minutes later.

Unlike at Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, though, Arsenal rose to the occasion after a swift setback, as Viktor Gyokeres's beautiful finish restored their lead just two minutes after the restart.

A disallowed second for Kolo Muani - a controversially disallowed second at that - suggested it would not be Spurs' day, and so it proved when Eze and Gyokeres completed their braces later in the second half.

There would be no late collapse for Arsenal tonight, as Mikel Arteta's men restored their five-point lead over Manchester City - who have a game in hand - in the Premier League table, while Igor Tudor's Spurs remain 16th, just four points clear of the bottom three.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

No matter the scoreline, the North London derby would have been a day of celebration or catastrophe for Arsenal, and anything other than three points would have fallen into the latter category.

What happened at Molineux was nothing short of embarrassing - and even that is downplaying it - but it evidently also served as a massive wake-up call for Arteta's players, who were on it from minute one.

The comical technological delay had the potential to disrupt Arsenal's momentum - as did Rice's foolish error, which the Gunners must stamp out - but the visitors did not cower in the face of adversity; a very refreshing sight for those away fans.

Man City remain far too close for comfort, but displays like today's demonstrate why Arteta's men are still leading the pack, and the next step for Arteta is to have Eze replicate his NLD displays every week.

Tudor's Tottenham were threatening in flashes, but the same old issues reared their ugly heads for the home side, who are undoubtedly in a fight for survival - if it was not already obvious.

TOTTENHAM VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS

Eberechi Eze goal vs. Tottenham (32nd min, Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal)

It just had to be him!

Bukayo Saka - who has been hustled and harried all afternoon by white shirts - nutmegs Pape Sarr and cuts the ball back into a crowded mixer.

Eze does not quite get it under his spell first time, but the former Tottenham target gets it right at the second bite, hooking in a half-volley from close range to break the deadlock!

Randal Kolo Muani goal vs. Arsenal (34th min, Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal)

Exactly what all away supporters feared - deja vu strikes again for Arteta's vulnerable leaders.

Not sure what Rice is trying to do close to his own corner flag, but he gets it all wrong and runs straight into Kolo Muani.

The Frenchman wastes no time in surging into the penalty area - away from William Saliba - and firing in an unstoppable low strike to level matters right away!

Oh, and he had just pointed at his head urging his teammates to concentrate a minute beforehand.

Viktor Gyokeres goal vs. Tottenham (47th min, Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal)

That is a beauty.

Jurrien Timber's long ball infield from the right makes its way to Gyokeres on the edge of the box, and the Swede curls in a wonderful strike past a helpless Guglielmo Vicario.

Of course, Eze played a part in that goal too - the Englishman occupied Radu Dragusin to help create the space for Gyokeres to turn and fire home.

Randal Kolo Muani disallowed goal vs. Arsenal (54th min, Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal)

It would not be a North London derby without a healthy dose of controversy.

Kolo Muani and all Spurs fans inside the stadium briefly believe that the Frenchman has levelled matters again, but the striker is penalised for a push on Gabriel Magalhaes.

Replays show that Kolo Muani had two hands on Gabriel's back, but certainly without the force needed to make the Brazilian fall to the ground in that theatrical manner.

Eberechi Eze goal vs. Tottenham (61st min, Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal)

North London derby day is Eze's day!

The playmaker combines brilliantly with Gyokeres and Saka, who sees his close-range attempt thwarted by Vicario, but Joao Palhinha cannot control and clear.

Instead, the ball deflects off of the Portuguese's calf into Eze's path, and Arsenal's man of the moment calmly tucks away his second and Arsenal's third.

The two Scandinavians combine to devastating effect!

Substitute Martin Odegaard slips through Gyokeres in the left channel that he loves, and the striker easily shrugs off his marker before another slick side-footed finish into the top corner.

MAN OF THE MATCH - VIKTOR GYOKERES

Of course, I was just writing my Eze justification when Gyokeres put away his second of the night - curse of the reporter.

So many of the Swede's goals this season have been scrappy, but he put away two sumptuous strikes in front of the away end, contributing to what was undoubtedly his best all-round Arsenal display so far.

TOTTENHAM VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 39%-61% Arsenal

Shots: Tottenham 6-20 Arsenal

Shots on target: Tottenham 5-7 Arsenal

Corners: Tottenham 2-5 Arsenal

Fouls: Tottenham 17-11 Arsenal

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Tudor's first Tottenham away day comes against another London rival, as the Lilywhites head to Craven Cottage to face Fulham next Sunday at 2pm.

A couple of hours later on March 1, Arsenal also engage in their next all-capital clash, hosting Chelsea in an Emirates blockbuster.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained why Ben White is absent from the Gunners' ranks for Sunday's Premier League North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Englishman was an unexpected omission from the visitors' squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, raising fears of yet another fitness setback for the injury-plagued defender.

Jurrien Timber was always expected to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but White was at least in the squad for Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, so his absence hinted at a fresh blow in the past couple of days.

Speaking to Sky Sports News in the lead-up to the game, Arteta refused to go into specifics surrounding White's concern, although he suggested that the defender will not be sidelined for long.

"Ben, he had a little niggle yesterday and he couldn't make the game," Arteta said, while also explaining that the fixture came slightly too soon for Kai Havertz to return from his muscular concern.

White and Havertz can also be classed as doubts for next weekend's crunch clash with Chelsea at the Emirates, but Martin Odegaard was at least named on the bench on Sunday after a brief absence with a knee issue.

Ben White suffers new injury: Is his time at Arsenal up?

White missing Arsenal games has been a constant theme ever since his first month at the club; he was absent from a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea in August 2021 after contracting coronavirus.

Since then, the former England international has been beset by a plethora of injury issues, and his latest concern is already his third of the season, following a previous knock and hamstring strain.

White has been restricted to 19 appearances in all tournaments this season, including just five Premier League starts, although he was starting to show flashes of his best self again in December before a fresh hamstring injury.

Now 28 years old, White should be in the prime of his career, and when fully fit, the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is a wonderful connector for Bukayo Saka to link up with on the right-hand side.

However, the defender's repeated fitness concerns may be taken into account by Arsenal's decision makers this summer, which may be the Gunners' final chance to recoup a respectable fee for White, who is under contract until 2028.

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have announced their starting lineups for Sunday's Premier League North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

New Spurs boss Igor Tudor prepares for a baptism of fire in his inaugural Premier League game, especially as the former Juventus and Marseille head coach has also inherited Thomas Frank's injury crisis.

Nevertheless, Tudor has seemingly fielded his favoured 3-4-2-1 setup straight away - in spite of the absence of Cristian Romero - as Joao Palhinha looks set to join Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin in defence.

Archie Gray and Djed Spence will start at wing-back for the Lilywhites, while Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma have been given the nod in the hosts' engine room.

Pape Sarr and Xavi Simons are expected to operate a little further forward, in support of Randal Kolo Muani, who worked with Tudor at Juventus and has been selected over Dominic Solanke.

In total, Tudor has made two changes to the XI that lost 2-1 to Newcastle United in Frank's final game in charge, and there is also a place on the bench for Richarlison following a spell out with a muscle injury.

Tottenham vs. Arsenal: Martin Odegaard on bench as Ben White misses out

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has also made a double alteration to the side that drew 2-2 with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, but Martin Odegaard is not one of the visitors' changes.

The Norway international has recovered from a knee injury, but he has only been named on the bench, with November's hat-trick hero Eberechi Eze acting as the Gunners' creative focal point instead.

Eze replaces Noni Madueke - whose demotion should signal a return to the right-wing for Bukayo Saka - in one of two changes to the Arsenal frontline, the other of which sees Leandro Trossard displace Gabriel Martinelli.

Kai Havertz is not involved. despite previous optimism over his chances of recovering from a muscle concern in time, while defender Ben White is an unexpected absentee from the Gunners' squad.

Victory for Arsenal will restore their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, albeit having played a game more than Pep Guardiola's side.

On the other hand, 16th-placed Spurs - who could drop to 17th before kickoff if Nottingham Forest overcome Liverpool - will go seven clear of West Ham United in the relegation zone with a long-awaited derby triumph.

Tottenham starting lineup: Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Gray, Bissouma, Gallagher, Spence; Sarr, Simons; Kolo Muani

Subs: Austin, Richarlison, Tel, Solanke, Souza, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Rowswell, Wilson

Arsenal starting lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard