Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Xavi Simons could return to the starting lineup against former club Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's Champions League showdown at the Parc des Princes.

The Dutchman was demoted to the bench for Sunday's Premier League North London derby with Arsenal, as Thomas Frank opted to beef up his defence with the inclusion of Kevin Danso.

That decision backfired horribly as Spurs slumped to a 4-1 loss, as Simons is now likely to be a straight swap for Danso in the starting XI after Frank made that change at half time at the Emirates.

Simons's inclusion is likely to be one of a few alterations on Tottenham's end, as regular right-back Pedro Porro will surely displace Djed Spence in the backline too.

Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall are both alternatives to Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha in the engine room as well, and the former - who has battled back from a knock - could take the Uruguayan's spot in the centre.

Richarlison is in no danger of losing his place in the starting XI after his wonder goal at the Emirates, but the Brazilian could be shifted out to the left-hand side, allowing Randal Kolo Muani to lead the line against his parent club.

Brennan Johnson will miss out through suspension, while James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Kota Takai (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Dominic Solanke (ankle), Yves Bissouma (ankle) and Mathys Tel (ineligible) are also absent.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani

> Click here to see how PSG could line up for this game

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European champion meets European champion at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening, when Paris Saint-Germain welcome Tottenham Hotspur to their illustrious home in the Champions League league phase.

The contest is a repeat of this year's UEFA Super Cup, which the Ligue 1 giants won on penalties, but travelling fans may be fearing a more comprehensive defeat this time around.

Match preview

PSG suffered the first dent in their Champions League title defence just three weeks ago, when the winning machine of Bayern Munich left the French capital with a 2-1 victory under their belts, despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.

Luis Diaz bagged a double before being sent off for a crunching challenge on Achraf Hakimi - which the Moroccan still has not fully recovered from - but PSG could not capitalise on their numerical advantage, only managing to cut the deficit in half through Joao Neves.

Despite no longer boasting a perfect record in this season's competition, PSG enter matchweek five still comfortably on course for automatic last-16 qualification, sitting fifth in the 36-team table and within touching distance of Bayern, Arsenal and Inter Milan.

Les Parisiens have also never suffered back-to-back Champions League home defeats in their history, and Luis Enrique's men have responded to their Bayern beating with successive Ligue 1 successes, although their 3-2 win over Lyon was shrouded in refereeing controversy.

However, there was nothing contentious about Les Parisiens' 3-0 triumph over Le Havre on Saturday - a result that kept them two points clear of Marseille and Lens at the top of the Ligue 1 table - but the reigning European champions are not quite the same force that obliterated Inter in the 2024-25 UCL final.

PSG's loss of perennial dominance may not offer much comfort to Tottenham supporters, who filtered out of the Emirates Stadium en masse during the final 20 minutes of Sunday's North London derby, when an awesome Arsenal outwitted and outclassed their bitter rivals.

The script was written for Eberechi Eze to shine, but even he could hardly believe his historic hat-trick - the first-ever in a Premier League North London derby - against the team that chased him for much of the summer transfer window, as Spurs slumped to their third loss from their last five games.

Fingers were immediately pointed at Thomas Frank in the wake of that 4-1 trouncing, as the Dane's defence-heavy 5-2-3 setup was carved open at will by Arsenal, and it will be utterly fascinating to see what system he opts for in the French capital.

Unlike their more esteemed hosts, however, Spurs' unbeaten Champions League record remains intact after two wins and two draws from their opening four games this season, and the Lilywhites have also kept clean sheets in five of their last seven European matches at any level.

Both of Tottenham's UCL away matches this season have been drawn, though, and Frank's men were also bested by Enrique's side from 12 yards in the summer's UEFA Super Cup, falling to a 4-3 shootout loss after a gripping 2-2 stalemate in Udine.

Paris Saint-Germain Champions League form:

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Champions League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Diaz's red card-worthy tackle on Hakimi has rendered the Moroccan right-back unavailable ever since, and the 2025 African Footballer of the Year is not expected back from that ankle injury for another few weeks.

Les Parisiens are also managing without two attacking heroes in Desire Doue (hamstring) and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele (calf), but Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are both fit and raring to go after being restricted to substitute outings on Saturday.

Enrique is also expected to recall midfield maestro Fabian Ruiz and integral defender Willian Pacho to the first XI, which should feature Warren Zaire-Emery as an auxiliary right-back in Hakimi's absence.

As for the visitors, Frank's attack will also be depleted thanks to the absence of Brennan Johnson, who is suspended on account of his red card in the 4-0 win over Copenhagen.

The Wales international - who became the first British player to score and be sent off in the same UCL game - joins James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Kota Takai (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Dominic Solanke (ankle), Yves Bissouma (ankle) and Mathys Tel (ineligible) on the sidelines this week, but veteran defender Ben Davies might be back from a thigh problem.

Frank sacrificed ex-PSG starlet Xavi Simons for an extra defender in Kevin Danso at the weekend, but after that formula failed miserably, the visiting manager could now revert to a more familiar system with the Dutchman pulling the strings.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Lee, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

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After trying to frustrate Arsenal to no avail at the weekend, Tottenham may feel that going for broke is their best chance of success on Wednesday, especially against a PSG side missing three cornerstones of their starting XI.

However, Spurs have struggled to build out from the back all season long, and even a Dembele, Doue and Hakimi-less PSG should cruise to victory on their own turf.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Crossing the Channel with their tails tucked between their legs, Tottenham Hotspur square up to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's high-profile league-phase clash.

Thomas Frank's men were outfought, outclassed and outgunned against rivals Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, suffering a 4-1 Emirates embarrassment as Eberechi Eze scored the first-ever Premier League hat-trick in the North London derby.

The Lilywhites are yet to lose in this season's UCL, though, taking eight points from their first 12 on offer to sit 10th in the league-phase table, but they were edged out by PSG on penalties in this year's UEFA Super Cup.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Tottenham's injury and suspension issues ahead of their showdown with Les Parisiens, who have claimed nine points from their opening four Champions League fixtures this term.

James Maddison

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â ACL

Possible return date:Â Unknown

James Maddison is slowly working his way back from the summer's devastating cruciate ligament injury, but it would be a surprise to see the number 10 play a single minute of competitive football this season.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status:Â Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date:Â Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski has been sidelined for six months with the knee problem he suffered towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign - one that has proven extremely tricky to overcome - and there is still no knowing when he might be back in contention.

Dominic Solanke

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Ankle

Possible return date:Â December 2 (vs. Newcastle United)

Dominic Solanke is still on the mend from a recent ankle operation and is not expected to be ready to face PSG, but the striker could make his first-team return within a couple of weeks.

Ben Davies

Status:Â Minor doubt

Type of injury:Â Thigh

Possible return date:Â November 26 (vs. PSG)

Ben Davies did not make the matchday squad for the North London derby as he continues his recuperation from a thigh problem, but he is back in team training and might be in with a chance of a comeback in Paris.

Radu Dragusin

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Knee

Possible return date:Â November 29 (vs. Fulham)

Radu Dragusin is in full training and has played behind closed doors for Spurs' Under-21s as he enters the final stages of his ACL recovery, but he will not be involved on Wednesday on account of being left out of Tottenham's league-phase squad.

Yves Bissouma

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Ankle

Possible return date:Â Unknown

Likewise, Yves Bissouma would not be featuring in midweek anyway due to ineligibility, but the Mali international remains sidelined with an ankle injury regardless.

Kota Takai

Status:Â Out

Type of injury:Â Thigh

Possible return date:Â November 29 (vs. Fulham)

Kota Takai is finally in team training following a combination of foot and thigh injuries, but the summer signing also cannot face PSG due to not being selected for Frank's squad.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

Brennan Johnson

Return date:Â November 29 (vs. Fulham)

Brennan Johnson took the walk of shame in Spurs' last Champions League clash with Copenhagen - becoming the first-ever British player to score and be sent off in the same match in the competition - and the Wales international will serve a one-game ban this week.

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Tottenham Hotspur record the lowest expected goals figure (0.07 xG) by any team in the Premier League this season when they lost 4-1 against Arsenal on Sunday.

The Emirates was the staging ground for the first North London derby, and Thomas Frank's Spurs side were humiliated by their London rivals.

Supporters were left frustrated by Tottenham's lack of attacking quality, as while they managed to get on the scoresheet, Richarlison's goal came about after an error from Martin Zubimendi on the ball.

Tottenham failed to produce a single shot inside the penalty area, with all three of the efforts coming from distance.

Spurs' xG of 0.07 was the lowest total any team in the top flight have managed this term, and the second lowest total also belongs's to Frank's side after they produced just 0.12 xG against Chelsea on November 1.

Were Arsenal too strong or were Tottenham Hotspur too weak?

Losing against Arsenal will be painful, but a loss against arguably the best team in the world should not be seen as a disastrous result in isolation.

There is an argument that the outcome of Sunday's game would not have changed had Frank changed his approach, but many supporters feel that the Dane was far too conservative with his team selection.

Spurs lined up with a back three that often resembled a 5-2-3, and the likes of Xavi Simons, Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson started on the bench.

The fact that Chelsea also managed to restrict Tottenham to just three shots suggests that there is a fundamental issue with Frank's approach, so while Arsenal were excellent on Sunday, the Lilywhites contributed significantly to their own downfall.

Will Thomas Frank's style cost Tottenham Hotspur Champions League?

The defeat at the Emirates has not ruled the team out of the race for the Champions League given the club are only four points from third-placed Manchester City, though that gap could grow considerably if Frank continues to be as stubborn.

Tottenham have drawn three, lost three and won two of their last eight Premier League games, and if their form continues, then they will likely have to overturn a significant points gap to finish in the top four.

Frank's defensive style was used to great effect at Brentford, but the Bees were able to rely on counter-attacks from deep as they were more often than not deprived of possession, whereas Spurs are frequently given the ball by their opponents.

When Tottenham come up against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, they may find more success if they look to get more of their attacking stars on the pitch, even at the risk of losing some defensive solidity.

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Tottenham Hotspur could not win today.

Had Thomas Frank opted for a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 lineup in the North London derby, and Arsenal run riot at the Emirates, the Dane would have been lambasted by all corners for being naive. Instead, the finger was pointed at him for a conservative setup, which - in fairness - did not appear to be the worst tactic.

Arsenal did not only lose their set-piece threat with no Gabriel Magalhaes, but also a critical component of their defensive structure in dead-ball situations, which their North London rivals have also been known to excel at this season.

And, this was a Spurs side who arrived at the Emirates with the best Premier League away record so far this season. Sitting deep, playing on the counter and hoping to dominate set-pieces were justifiable moves against a Gunners side renowned for a perceived lack of open-play creativity.

However, if Tottenham were trying to operate in a deep block, the least they could have done was pick up Arsenal's chief creative threat. They did not, and he created North London derby history in another Premier League title statement for Mikel Arteta's men.

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Eberechi Eze sends Martin Odegaard huge selection warning

Were it not for one phone call from Eberechi Eze to Mikel Arteta on a summer's evening, there would have been no euphoric Emirates introduction for the former Crystal Palace sensation.

The majority of the Emirates crowd would have been against him today. They would have jeered and cheered every poor touch, misplaced pass and wayward shot. Alternatively, they would have wondered what could have been had he painted North London lilywhite on Sunday evening.

But a sleeping Eze dreamed of devastating Arsenal's bitter-most rivals on a day like today.Â

The 27-year-old's Gunners career may not have got off to the explosive start some had hoped or expected - a consequence of him finding his perfect position and Arsenal facing the deepest of deep defences - but he only needs a yard of space to work his clinical magic.

Each of Eze's three goals on Sunday - when he became the first player to ever score a North London derby hat-trick - came as a consequence of Tottenham failing to get men around him, most notably Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, both of whom were taking out by one nifty jink for his first goal.

The two supposed holding midfielders were nowhere to be seen when Eze curled in his sumptuous second and third of the evening too, and not for the first time in a red and white shirt, he looked in disbelief at what had just transpired at an energised Emirates.

The 27-year-old produced one of the best - if not the best - individual Premier League performance of the season just when Martin Odegaard is about to return from a knee injury, and the consensus was that the captain would immediately return to the XI when fully fit.

As skipper, Odegaard's starting place should not come under any threat, but with Eze and fellow scorer Leandro Trossard in the form they are currently in, it is difficult to make a case for either to be dropped from the first XI.

Of course, rotation and fatigue must come into play during the unforgiving winter period, but if Eze kicks on from here and Odegaard cannot recapture his 2022-23 and 2023-24 form, Mikel Arteta's captain is far from a starting lineup shoo-in.

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Gunners are champions in waiting after Spurs slaughter

The headlines, the match ball and the player of the match trophy belonged to the beaming hat-trick hero, but do not gloss over Arsenal's performance as a collective - it is not outlandish to suggest that they were close to perfect.

Had it not been for one Martin Zubimendi mistake and one phenomenal Richarlison strike - Kenny McLean eat your heart out - we may be sat here right now talking about a perfect Arsenal performance, one that ought to have Manchester City and Liverpool quaking in their boots.

Tottenham's problems building out from the back are well-documented, but Arsenal nevertheless restricted their foes to a paltry 0.07 Expected Goals, while firing 17 shots of their own and having 27 touches in the opposition box.

The naysayers repeatedly stressed that Arsenal's glut of goals from set-pieces were not sustainable. So Arsenal lost their chief set-piece threat and started scoring for fun from open play. Against a Tottenham side that started with no fewer than eight defensively-minded players.

Barring Sunderland, Liverpool and Man City, Arsenal's dominance of the division makes it easy to forget the players who were missing this afternoon. No Gabriel, no Odegaard, no Kai Havertz, no Gabriel Jesus, no Viktor Gyokeres, but no shortage of solutions.

Piero Hincapie seamlessly slotted into the backline, Trossard is playing some of his best football for a couple of years, and any striker would have been delighted to receive Mikel Merino's delicate chipped pass for the Belgian's opener tonight.

The Gunners of old may have crumbled after Richarlison's wonder strike. The Gunners of old may have wilted under the pressure of trying to capitalise on Man City and Liverpool's slip-ups.

The Arsenal of now are a new breed. A merciless cohesive unit made up of magnificent individuals. And at this rate, North London will not be the only thing that is red come May - the ribbons on the Premier League trophy will be too.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palinha insisted that he is enjoying life at the club amid question marks about his future.

Spurs are set to play Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League at the Emirates, and the result could be key for their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Midfielder Palinha has been selected to start by Thomas Frank against the Gunners, though there are some concerns about his fit in the team given he has at times struggled to build out from the back when under pressure.

The Portuguese international is on loan from Bayern Munich, and the Londoners have the option of purchasing him for £27m, but it remains to be seen whether the club will make his switch permanent.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the game, Palinha spoke positively about Tottenham, but claimed that the decision is out of his hands, saying: "They should ask the owner [about my future], or Fabio [Paratici], or Johan [Lange], not myself! Of course, this is like a marriage. Both parts need to want [it].

"But I am really glad here. I feel the support from the supporters as well. When you feel this, for me it is really special. We have until the end of the season. We have a lot of things to happen. You know how it is in football. I just want to enjoy the time that I am here. Let’s see what is going to happen."

The 30-year-old would not represent a long-term investment, but his experience in the Premier League may be valuable if he was used as a squad player.

What type of midfielder does Thomas Frank need?

Tottenham have improved defensively this season under Frank, but they have struggled to impact play in the final third, with the club producing just one shot on target against Chelsea when they lost 1-0 on November 1.

Creative talent Xavi Simons has failed to showcase their talent, though some of the Dutchman's issues may be related to the team's deeper midfielders, who have found it difficult to progress the ball.

Palhinha is at his best when playing in a more defensive system, but the 30-year-old has been asked to be more involved in build-up this campaign than he was when he played for Fulham under Marco Silva.

If Frank is to get more from his attacking players, he will have to find ways of getting possession to his forwards, and he may have to look for additions in the transfer window such as Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

Champions League race: Can Tottenham secure top four with the current squad?

While Spurs have been far from perfect this season given they are 11th with 18 points, most of their Champions League rivals have also been inconsistent this season.

Liverpool have lost six of their last seven Premier League games, Newcastle United are currently 14th, while just four points separate them from third-placed Manchester City.

While Tottenham are likely to suffer more disappointing results between now and the end of the season, losses and draws may not prove fatal for their hopes of top four.

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

The Gunners received a quadruple fitness boost ahead of the game as Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke were spotted on their pre-match walk, and three of them have made the matchday squad on Sunday.

Calafiori has shaken off a hip problem to start at left-back for Arsenal, while Martinelli and Madueke are both on the bench, but Odegaard misses out once again.

Elsewhere, Piero Hincapie has been given the nod over Cristhian Mosquera to deputise for Gabriel Magalhaes in defence, while Mikel Merino continues to lead the line in the absence of Viktor Gyokeres.

Hincapie for Gabriel is the only change that Mikel Arteta has made to his starting XI from the 2-2 draw with Sunderland before the international break, whereas Thomas Frank has made five alterations to the side that played out a 2-2 stalemate with Manchester United.

In a bid to frustrate the Premier League leaders, the Tottenham boss has gone with three central defenders, introducing Kevin Danso into the backline alongside Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Piero Hincapie starts for Arsenal, five changes for Tottenham

Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie will start at right and left wing-back respectively for Tottenham, as Pedro Porro drops to the bench alongside Pape Sarr, whose spot is taken by Rodrigo Bentancur.

Xavi Simons has also been sacrificed for an extra centre-back in Danso, and Frank has made two further changes to his frontline, bringing in the fit-again Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert in place of Brennan Johnson and Randal Kolo Muani.

The latter is fit enough for a place on the bench after recovering from a jaw fracture, but Richarlison will operate as the central striker for the Europa League champions.

Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray are also on the Spurs bench following a concussion and a calf issue respectively, but Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies miss out.

Arteta's men will open up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with victory over the Lilywhites, who in turn will move into the top four should they condemn the Gunners to their first home loss of the season.

Arsenal starting lineup:Â Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard

Subs:Â Kepa, Mosquera, White, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman

Tottenham starting lineup:Â Vicario; Romero, Danso, Van de Ven; Spence, Palhinha, Bentancur, Udogie; Kudus, Richarlison, Odobert

Subs:Â Kinsky, Simons, Tel, Gray, Bergvall, Johnson, Porro, Sarr, Kolo Muani

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has delivered a late injury update ahead of Sunday's Premier League North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur, which the Gunners could receive a quadruple boost for.

The Norway international has missed Arsenal's last seven games in all competitions with the knee problem he suffered against West Ham United on October 4, when he set an unwanted Premier League record.

Odegaard had previously sustained shoulder problems against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, and against West Ham, he became the first player to be substituted in the first half in three straight Premier League starts.

The former Real Madrid starlet also missed Norway's World Cup-clinching wins over Estonia and Italy earlier this month, although he did travel with the squad to join in with the celebrations after they punched their ticket to North America.

National team manager Stale Solbakken delivered a worrying update on Odegaard during the international break, though, revealing that he was still "some distance away" from a return, suggesting that he would not be involved against Spurs, Bayern Munich or Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta was quintessentially unhelpful when asked for updates on team news in his pre-game press conference, but he did not directly rule Odegaard - or any of Arsenal's other injury doubts - out of the North London derby.

Martin Odegaard almost at "final stages" in recovery from knee injury

The captain recently opened up on his recovery in his programme notes, revealing that he is close to the "final stages" of his rehabilitation without directly confirming whether he would be available for the clash with Tottenham.

"This week I’ve been working really hard on my rehab – it’s going very well," Odegaard wrote. "I can feel I’m getting closer every day and getting towards the final stages, where it's a lot more exciting.

"I’ve been doing some pitch work and training, so I really feel like I'm getting there. That's the best part of the rehab, when you're getting closer to joining the team, you can do a lot more on the pitch and you can be more aggressive in the rehab.

"I feel like I'm getting stronger and stronger. I can't wait to be back now, we're on a good path and it's looking good. I'm really excited.

"I guess that's one of the good things about being injured. You get hungrier and more excited to play football again. That's the good part of it, I’m desperate to get going again."

Arsenal receive quadruple injury boost ahead of Tottenham clash

Odegaard's suggestion that he is not yet at the final stages of his recovery suggests that Spurs may come too soon, but Arsenal fans have been given reason to believe that the 26-year-old could feature in some capacity this weekend.

Arteta's squad took their customary pre-match walk from their hotel on Sunday morning, and journalist Simon Collings reports that Odegaard was seen with his teammates, alongside three other injury victims.

Gabriel Martinelli (muscle) and Noni Madueke (knee) were reportedly also spotted among the Arsenal team, alongside Riccardo Calafiori, who withdrew from the Italy squad earlier this month with a hip problem.

However, there was no mention of Viktor Gyokeres, who is at risk of missing out with a hamstring injury, or Kai Havertz, who recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee operation, according to Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Arsenal are known to be without Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) for Sunday's game, but the latter is now training fully again and could make his comeback in the next few weeks.

North London has been red since 2022, but Tottenham Hotspur will finally endeavour to paint the city in a new lick of lilywhite at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The two bitter-most rivals collide in the headline act of Premier League gameweek 12, in which Arsenal could open up an 11-point lead over Thomas Frank's men by coming up trumps on their own turf.

Victory for the men in red and white would also ensure that they maintain an unassailable lead over Manchester City and Chelsea at the top-flight summit, whereas Spurs could potentially sneak into the Champions League spots by harming their hosts' title ambitions.

Ahead of Sunday's mouthwatering derby, the Sports Mole team picks their winner between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Barney Corkhill, Editor - Arsenal

Taking all Premier League games where I am a neutral into account, this was for years my favourite fixture to watch.

The North London derby rarely disappoints and so often throws up thrillers, although admittedly I cannot see that being the case this time around, with set pieces the favoured route of attack for both clubs so far this season.

Both teams can play exciting football, and Spurs may actually favour being away from home in this one given their dreadful home record this season, but I'm expecting this chapter of the North London derby to be a fairly routine, unspectacular 2-0 win for Arsenal.

The Gunners' defensive record is exceptional, and with Tottenham having to cope without some of their most dangerous attackers, it is hard to see them breaching the backline, even with the news of Gabriel's injury.

Spurs haven't won any of their last six North London derbies - a streak that now stretches back more than three-and-a-half years - and I fully expect them to lose a fourth on the bounce for the first time since a run of six between 1987 and 1989.

Matt Law, Football Editor - Arsenal

Football is rarely straightforward, but Arsenal are a better team than Tottenham, and sometimes it is as simple as that.

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The absence of Gabriel Magalhaes is a big blow for the Gunners, but the home side still have more than enough quality to secure all three points in front of their own supporters.

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Tottenham can cause Arsenal problems, and I am expecting Spurs to find the back of the net despite the home team's excellent defensive record, but Mikel Arteta's side should win this one.

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Many a fascinating sub-plot has dominated and will continue to dominate the pre-match talk before Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur, namely the fitness situations of both camps.

For the Lilywhites, Thomas Frank - who has been grappling with a double-figure absentee crisis for a large chunk of his debut campaign - confirmed a staggering eight boosts for his side in his pre-game press conference.

For the Premier League leaders, Mikel Arteta - forever unhelpful to fantasy football managers when giving team news updates - may coincidentally be missing eight men for the 198th instalment of this fixture, none more critical than the masterful Gabriel Magalhaes.

The set-piece specialist will watch on helplessly on Sunday due to a hamstring injury, and he may be joined on the sidelines by all of Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke.

Arteta's devotion to secrecy means that the status of the latter five remains largely unknown ahead of the visit of Tottenham, and by the time 3.15pm strikes on Sunday, there is a chance that at least four of them could be listed on the hosts' team sheet.

Arsenal will be in for a "completely different game" if Gyokeres fails to make the cut, according to one Gunners expert, and much has understandably been made of the impact of Gabriel's absence in both penalty areas.

However, Arsenal's most critical component in the North London derby may not be Gabriel, Gyokeres or any of Arteta's injury uncertainties.Â

Why Martin Zubimendi has a crucial role to play in Arsenal vs. Tottenham

Summer signing Martin Zubimendi will experience his first taste of North London derby day on Sunday afternoon, when the former Real Sociedad man has the capability to frustrate Tottenham's pressing machine to no end.

Indeed, the Spain international has completed the second-most passes under pressure of any player in the 2025-26 Premier League season, only fewer than a man now valued at £100m, if the latest reports are to be believed.

Zubimendi has made 445 of those aforementioned passes while under pressure from an opposing player, only inferior to the 492 managed by Nottingham Forest's in-demand England international Elliot Anderson, supposedly a prime target for Manchester United.

The 26-year-old may not possess the same physical profile of Arsenal sixes gone by - think Thomas Partey and Patrick Vieira - but he is the man who makes things tick for the Gunners, either as the recognised midfield screen or dropping deeper during build-up phases.

Schooled in the San Sebastian ways, the Euro 2024 winner's remarkable passing numbers under pressure tell the tale of a player who oozes class and composure with the ball at his feet, which is more often than not in this Arsenal side.

Zubimendi also sits in the top 10 for touches in the 2025-26 Premier League season with 801, and Arteta's shift from chaos to control has allowed the midfielder to further demonstrate his excellence in possession when pressurised.

Arsenal fans often bemoan their side's measured and patient build-up play against a deep block, but the Gunners often take their time in the middle third and wait for the press to be triggered, at which point the quick-thinking Zubimendi can help the team progress.

Not only does Arteta's summer signing possess valuable press-resistant qualities, his aerial abilities can sometimes fly under the radar - he sits in the top 5% of midfielders in the big five European leagues for aerials won over the past 365 days, and Gooners will not forget that one time he beat Dan Burn in the air too.

Can Spurs quell Arsenal's set-piece threat without Gabriel?

Whether Zubimendi's aerial excellence can translate into a set-piece threat remains to be seen, but Nicolas Jover will likely now be working overtime to find new dead-ball solutions in the wake of Gabriel's issue.

The Brazilian's six yard-box crashing capabilities are well-documented, but he added a new set-piece dimension to his game just before his injury, evading his man - as he so often does - to nod the ball into the mixer from the back stick.

Such tactics paid off twice for Viktor Gyokeres goals against Atletico Madrid and Burnley, and all five of his direct contributions this season - two goals and three assists - have come from the devastating dead ball.

However, the statistics suggest that Tottenham are the best-placed side to capitalise on Arsenal's reduced set-piece threat without Gabriel, having conceded the fewest amount from corners or free kicks in the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Only two goals have been scored past the Europa League winners from such situations so far this season, so Arsenal would do extremely well to make their 7.41 Expected Goals from set-pieces count for something on Sunday.

Nevertheless, for all of the lambasting about their perceived open-play failures, Arsenal boast the fourth-highest non-set piece XG this season in the Premier League with 10.7, only trailing Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Spurs have amassed just 6.71 Expected Goals from open play in the 2025-26 top-flight campaign, fewer than the likes of Everton, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.

Even a rejigged Arsenal backline can comprise the likes of Bundesliga Invincible Piero Hincapie and the impressive Cristhian Mosquera, so unless the likes of Mohammed Kudus can work their magic for Tottenham, North London will remain red.

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