Tottenham vs Arsenal: Many Injuries for Spurs Affect Sunday Derby Match

Tottenham has 8 players out injured or suspended for Sunday's match against Arsenal, making it a tough game for the home team.
By Newsroom | Football, Sports |

High Stakes in the Capital

This Sunday's clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal carries significant weight, extending beyond local bragging rights. For Arsenal, the match presents an opportunity to regain momentum in their title pursuit after recent setbacks. Meanwhile, Tottenham, under their new interim manager Igor Tudor, faces the daunting task of lifting a squad grappling with numerous injuries and a suspension. The outcome could influence the Premier League's top positions and shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons.

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Team News and Tactical Considerations

Tottenham Hotspur's Squad Limitations

Tottenham enters the match with a substantial number of players unavailable. New manager Igor Tudor has inherited a squad affected by injuries and suspensions.

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  • Key Absences:

  • Cristian Romero (captain) is suspended after a red card.

  • James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Wilson Odobert are all listed as injured with varying recovery timelines.

  • Mikel Merino and Lucas Bergvall are also noted as out.

  • Potential Returns:

  • Pedro Porro is a late call, working back from a hamstring issue.

  • Formation Expectation: Tudor is expected to employ a back three formation, a tactical choice influenced by the available personnel, particularly in central defense. Archie Gray and Djed Spence are likely to feature at wing-back due to injuries.

Arsenal's Recent Form and Player Status

Arsenal seeks to rebound from a midweek draw where they conceded a late lead against Wolves.

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  • Recent Draws: Following a draw against bottom-club Wolves (2-2), their previous fixture was also a draw against Brentford.

  • Player Concerns:

  • Leandro Trossard was substituted late in the Wolves match.

  • Martin Odegaard is reportedly battling to be fit.

  • Mikel Merino is listed as out.

Match Information and Broadcast Details

The North London Derby is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026, with kick-off at 4:30 PM UK time.

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  • Broadcast in the UK: The match will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage will be available on Sky Sports Premier League from 4 PM GMT and Sky Sports Main Event from 4:25 PM GMT, following the Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool fixture.

  • Streaming Options:

  • Sky Sports subscribers can stream the game via the Sky Go app.

  • Non-Sky customers can access the match through a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass.

  • Live Coverage: Dedicated match blogs from sources like Standard Sport will offer live updates and analysis.

Historical Performance and Predictions

Head-to-Head Statistics

Historically, Arsenal has a stronger record in this fixture.

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  • Overall Wins: Tottenham wins: 67, Arsenal wins: 90.

  • Recent League Form:

  • Arsenal has won six of their last seven league games against Tottenham, including the last four.

  • Tottenham is currently winless in their last eight Premier League games.

  • Tottenham has lost their last three home league games against Arsenal, a statistic that mirrors their losses in the previous 23 home fixtures against them.

Score Predictions

Predictions vary among analysts, reflecting the uncertainties surrounding both teams.

  • Arsenal to Win: Several sources suggest an Arsenal victory, citing Tottenham's poor home form and injury situation. One prediction is a 0-1 win for Arsenal.

  • Draw: Another prediction anticipates a 1-1 draw.

Betting Odds

Odds are subject to change, but early figures indicate Arsenal as the favorite.

  • Betfair Odds (Subject to Change):

  • Tottenham to win: 6/1

  • Arsenal to win: 40/85

Expert Insights and Analysis

The match is framed as a critical juncture for both clubs. For Arsenal, it's a chance to solidify their title aspirations by overcoming Tottenham's current challenges. For Tottenham, under Igor Tudor, it's an immediate test of his ability to galvanize a depleted squad and potentially salvage a respectable result against their rivals. The numerous injuries at Tottenham are a significant factor, impacting team selection and tactical flexibility. The North London Derby is described as a test of Arsenal's "bottle," implying a need for mental fortitude to secure the win.

Conclusion

The upcoming Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal fixture is a high-stakes encounter. Arsenal aims to leverage Tottenham's considerable injury list and poor recent form to reignite their title challenge. Tottenham, under new interim manager Igor Tudor, faces the difficult task of presenting a competitive performance despite a severely weakened squad. The historical data favors Arsenal, with recent form and available personnel also leaning in their direction, although a draw is also considered a plausible outcome. Broadcast details and team news highlight the significant challenges Tottenham faces in this crucial derby.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the Tottenham vs Arsenal football match?
The North London Derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal is on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Kick-off is at 4:30 PM UK time.
Q: Why are many Tottenham players missing for the Arsenal game on Sunday?
Tottenham has many players out due to injuries and one suspension. Captain Cristian Romero is suspended, and key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are injured.
Q: How many players are injured for Tottenham against Arsenal?
Tottenham has at least 8 players unavailable for the match against Arsenal. This includes Cristian Romero (suspended) and injured players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, Wilson Odobert, and Lucas Bergvall.
Q: What is Arsenal's recent form before playing Tottenham on Sunday?
Arsenal wants to do better after drawing their last two games. They drew 2-2 with Wolves and also drew with Brentford in their previous matches.
Q: Where can I watch the Tottenham vs Arsenal match on Sunday, February 22, 2026?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. You can watch it on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Sky Go app users can stream it, and non-customers can buy a NOW pass.
Q: What are the predictions for the Tottenham vs Arsenal game on Sunday?
Most predictions favor Arsenal to win because Tottenham has many injured players and has not won their last eight league games. Some predict a 1-0 win for Arsenal, while others think it will be a 1-1 draw.