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The North London Derby returns to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM GMT (11:30 AM ET) as league leaders Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the 198th meeting between these eternal rivals. Arsenal sit four points clear at the Premier League summit after 11 games, unbeaten in Europe and riding a wave of momentum that makes them overwhelming favorites to lift their first league title since 2004.
For Tottenham, currently eighth in the table under new manager Thomas Frank, this derby represents more than local bragging rights—it’s a chance to derail their rivals’ title charge while boosting their own top-four ambitions. History, however, weighs heavily against the visitors.
Arsenal’s Fortress Mentality
Arsenal enter Sunday’s clash having won five of their last six Premier League meetings with Tottenham, including the last three in a row—their longest winning streak against Spurs since a five-game run between January 1987 and January 1989. The psychological advantage couldn’t be clearer.
The Emirates record tells an even more remarkable story. Tottenham have won just once in 32 Premier League visits to Arsenal, with their last league victory in North London coming via that famous 3-2 comeback in November 2010. Since then, Arsenal are unbeaten in 14 home league derbies against Spurs—nine wins and five draws.
Arsenal have scored in every single home league meeting with Tottenham in the 21st century, netting at least twice in each of the last eight encounters. This represents their longest home scoring streak against any opponent in Premier League history, and Spurs have no answer for how to stop it.
Gabriel’s Absence: Arsenal’s Biggest Concern
Mikel Arteta received devastating news during the international break as star center-back Gabriel Magalhães suffered a thigh injury while playing for Brazil. The Brazilian could miss the remainder of 2025, robbing Arsenal of their defensive anchor at the worst possible time.
Gabriel’s importance to Arsenal’s system cannot be overstated. He’s been instrumental in Arsenal’s remarkable defensive record—just five goals conceded in 11 Premier League matches. His aerial dominance, progressive passing, and set-piece threat will be sorely missed.
Arteta must choose between Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié to replace Gabriel. Both are quality defenders capable of performing at this level, but neither possess the experience or presence Gabriel brings. Mosquera appears more likely to start, making his first North London Derby appearance.
Riccardo Calafiori remains a doubt after returning injured from Italy duty with a hip problem, though reports suggest he’ll be available. If Calafiori can’t play, Arsenal’s defensive reshuffle becomes even more complicated, potentially forcing Myles Lewis-Skelly into action.
Arsenal’s Injury Crisis Deepens
Beyond Gabriel’s absence, Arsenal face mounting fitness concerns. Martin Ødegaard hasn’t played since October 4, managing just 204 minutes this season, leaving Eberechi Eze to shoulder creative responsibilities despite his £80 million price tag bringing its own pressure.
Kai Havertz suffered a setback in his hamstring recovery and won’t return until December. Viktor Gyökeres could be available after missing Sweden’s matches, though his involvement remains uncertain. Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus appear further from comebacks, limiting Arteta’s attacking options.
Gabriel Martinelli is also battling a muscle issue, though Arteta has been characteristically tight-lipped about his availability. Leandro Trossard has shouldered attacking duties admirably with two goals and two assists, but Arsenal need more firepower to break down organized defenses.
Set-Piece Supremacy: Arsenal’s Secret Weapon
Arsenal have revolutionized set-piece football this season, scoring 10 of their 20 league goals from dead balls—a remarkable 50% conversion rate. Only two teams in Premier League history have ever sustained a higher proportion over a full season, making this Arsenal’s most potent attacking weapon.
Tottenham have conceded just two set-piece goals this season—the fewest in the division—setting up a fascinating tactical battle. Frank’s defensive organization has transformed Spurs from the league’s leakiest defense under Ange Postecoglou into one of its most resilient units.
However, Arsenal’s set-piece mastery under Nicolas Jover represents an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. Jover’s intricate routines, innovative movements, and attention to detail have made Arsenal lethal from corners and free-kicks. Without Gabriel’s aerial presence, Arsenal may rely even more heavily on these rehearsed situations.
Tottenham’s Away Day Warriors
Tottenham arrive at the Emirates as the Premier League’s only unbeaten away side this season. They’ve taken the joint-most points on the road (13), scored the joint-most away goals (12), and conceded the fewest away goals (three) in the division—a staggering transformation under Frank.
The Dane’s tactical approach emphasizes defensive solidity and efficient counter-attacking. Tottenham’s 17.8% shot conversion rate—19 goals from just 107 shots—represents the highest efficiency in the league and better than any team has sustained over a full season in Premier League history.
Frank’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation prioritizes defensive shape and quick transitions. Unlike Postecoglou’s gung-ho approach, Frank has implemented pragmatism that makes Spurs difficult to break down while remaining dangerous on the counter.
Spurs’ Injury Nightmare
Thomas Frank may be without up to 12 players for Sunday’s derby, creating a selection headache that undermines Tottenham’s chances. The international break proved particularly damaging, with multiple players returning injured or aggravating existing problems.
Mohammed Kudus trained ahead of the derby and should return to the starting XI after missing three matches before the break. His creativity and direct running will be crucial to Tottenham’s counter-attacking threat against Arsenal’s high defensive line.
Pape Matar Sarr exited Senegal’s match with a knock, while Lucas Bergvall and Ben Davies aggravated existing injuries on international duty. Dominic Solanke remains out, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski long-term absentees—robbing Spurs of crucial creative outlets.
Randal Kolo Muani will wear a protective mask after taking a knock against Manchester United, channeling his inner Harry Kane circa 2016. The Frenchman should start despite the discomfort, providing physical presence in attack.
Historical Subplot: First Derby Without Kane or Son
This will be the first Premier League North London Derby without either Harry Kane or Son Heung-min appearing for Tottenham since September 2014—when the teams drew 1-1 at the Emirates. That match occurred before both players became Spurs legends, making this encounter truly historic.
Kane’s departure for Bayern Munich and Son’s move to Qatar have robbed this fixture of its most iconic figures. For 15 years, Kane and Son defined Tottenham’s identity, combining for countless goals and moments of magic. Their absence leaves a void that Frank must fill with collective effort rather than individual brilliance.
Tottenham’s Own Goal Curse
An odd quirk threatens to undermine Tottenham’s chances before kickoff. In four of their last five meetings, a Tottenham player has scored an own goal—and all four came as Arsenal’s first goal of the match, three of them inside the opening 30 minutes.
Arsenal have occasionally struggled to break down organized defenses when matches remain goalless. Set-piece goals or defensive errors often open games up, allowing Arsenal to score in open play once opponents are forced to commit numbers forward. Tottenham cannot afford to gift Arsenal any advantage through defensive sloppiness.
Tactical Battle: Arteta vs Frank
Mikel Arteta has perfected positional play that suffocates opponents through sustained possession and territorial dominance. Arsenal’s 60.9% average possession this season reflects their control-oriented approach, with players occupying specific zones to create passing triangles and progress play systematically.
Thomas Frank’s counter-philosophy embraces defensive compactness and vertical transitions. Tottenham are comfortable absorbing pressure before exploding forward with pace and precision when winning possession. This approach mirrors Leicester’s 2015-16 title-winning blueprint—defend deep, counter quickly, and convert efficiently.
The tactical chess match centers on whether Arsenal can break down Tottenham’s low block or whether Spurs can frustrate the hosts before striking on the counter. Arsenal’s experience and quality suggest they should prevail, but Frank’s tactical acumen makes this fixture less predictable than recent history suggests.
Prediction and Key Players
Arsenal are overwhelming favorites with Opta’s supercomputer assigning them a 69% win probability compared to Tottenham’s 13.7%—Spurs’ lowest chance in any match this season. Arsenal’s home dominance and Tottenham’s awful record at the Emirates justifies this assessment.
Key players to watch include Bukayo Saka, whose pace and creativity terrorize defenses, and Declan Rice, whose midfield control dictates Arsenal’s tempo. For Tottenham, Mohammed Kudus must deliver creative inspiration while Cristian Romero anchors the defensive resistance.
Takeaway: Arsenal enter Sunday’s North London Derby as overwhelming favorites to extend their dominance over injury-ravaged Tottenham. The league leaders have won three consecutive derbies and remain unbeaten at home against Spurs since 2010. Gabriel’s absence weakens Arsenal’s defense, but superior quality across the squad should prove decisive. Tottenham’s impressive away record offers hope, but history suggests another Arsenal victory is inevitable. With title ambitions on the line, expect Arteta’s side to deliver a professional performance that maintains their four-point cushion at the summit while inflicting more derby day misery on their eternal rivals.
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