The stakes could hardly be higher for this North London derby. Arsenal arrive at the Emirates under immense pressure, having endured a disastrous week that saw their season unravel. A frustrating league draw against Brighton was followed by a 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final home defeat to Newcastle and an FA Cup third-round exit at the hands of 10-man Manchester United.
For the first time in months, questions are being asked about Mikel Arteta’s management. With Arsenal’s domestic campaign in jeopardy, anything less than a win against a struggling Spurs side could spark a full-blown crisis for Arteta, who would face serious scrutiny over his team’s dramatic decline.
On the other side of the divide, Ange Postecoglou is also feeling the heat. While his Tottenham side claimed an unlikely win over league-leaders Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, the result has been an exception to their recent struggles. Spurs needed extra time to edge past non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup, leaving fans exasperated—even with the team’s injury crisis in mind. A win over Arsenal, particularly one that dents their title hopes, could buy Postecoglou much-needed goodwill ahead of a potential Wembley trip should they complete the job against Liverpool.
Both teams head into the derby hampered by significant injury woes. Arsenal lost Gabriel Jesus to a stretcher during their penalty shootout loss over the weekend, while Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri remain unavailable. Riccardo Calafiori missed that match as well, and it’s uncertain if he’ll return in time.
Tottenham’s casualty list is even more extensive. Key players like Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario are sidelined alongside a host of others, raising questions about whether Postecoglou’s high-intensity system is contributing to the squad’s physical breakdown. Regardless, Spurs will need bodies back soon if they are to improve results in 2025.
For both clubs, the derby represents a pivotal moment—a chance to reset and salvage momentum in what has become a challenging season. For Arsenal, it’s an opportunity to steady the ship; for Spurs, it’s a chance to derail their rival’s title chase and spark renewed belief among their frustrated fans.
