Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are set for yet another titanic clash in the Premier League as they come to blows in the North London Derby this weekend. Both teams are suffering from injuries – which of the two rivals is in a better position ahead of the game?
Both of the two teams are suffering from depleted squads at the moment due to various injuries. They will each be down to their barebones on Sunday evening – who will dig deep and find a way to win?
We’ll take a look at each club’s injury situation and give you an update on how they are both looking ahead of the game. Who is your pick to win in the North London Derby?
Arsenal injury news
The Gunners will be without seven senior team players in the North London derby, including Gabriel, who has argubly been their most important asset in the current campaign.
On top of this, Riccardo Calafiori is a major doubt – if the Italian international is unable to compete on Sunday, Arsenal will be without two quarters of their usual back four. This could be a hammer blow for Mikel Arteta’s team – their back four has been outstanding so far in 2025/26.
Elsewhere, Arsenal will also miss out on the services of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. They have issues all over the pitch due to injurys – not just in their backline. There is some talk of the Arsenal captain being fit but rushing him back has not been a good move in the past.
The Gunners’ attacking ranks are particularly compromised, with two of their usual front three being sidelined. Nevertheless, Eberechi Eze has done an excellent job in Martinelli’s stead and has largely usurped him. The striker position is a problem – Mikel Merino will probably be called upon to deputitise there, as he has done several times before.
Tottenham injury news
If you thought Arsenal had it bad with injuries, Spurs’ current injury record will make your head spin. The Lilywhites will be without ten senior team players against Arsenal, with a further two being doubtful.
Let’s get the good news out of the way first. Cristian Romero, after a spell on the sidelines, is expected to be fit to play on Sunday. Additionally, Mohammed Kudus, Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall could be fit to play, though their match fitness has yet to be confirmed.
As for the bad news, Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Randal Kolo Muani, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray and Kota Takai are all set to be absent for the North London Derby. Brennan Johnson has a suspension, but only for Champions League games – it will not be in effect on Sunday.
Most of these injuries are not expected to be long term, with the exception of Maddison, who was ruled out for the rest of the season after he was forced to undergo surgery for a ruptured ACL.
The majority of Spurs’ injured players will be back in action before the end of the calendar year, but the North London Derby will come too soon for them.