Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are predicted to start for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League
06:00, 22 Feb 2026
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka could both start for Arsenal against Tottenham
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Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka could both start for Arsenal against Tottenham (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby at their rivals’ ground, needing to win to recover their Premier League title-chasing form. The draw at Wolves was extremely damaging to their hopes, and has put the race back in Manchester City’s hands too.
Mikel Arteta has some big calls to make with some injury worries ahead of the game, not as many as new head coach Igor Tudor has to contend with, but all the same, there are some major absences. Question marks remain over the likes of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz remain.
While Leandro Trossard received a head injury at Wolves, which forced him off too. Arteta needs to get his eleven spot on with rising pressure.
With that said, here is how football.london believes Arteta will select for his Arsenal starting XI...
David Raya
After making a glaring error in colliding with Gabriel Magalhaes, the Spaniard is perhaps under more scrutiny than ever before. But he'll still start this giant clash.
Jurrien Timber
Ben White has been called for by many supporters, but the likelihood is that the out-of-form Jurrien Timber is expected to continue.
William Saliba
Avoided the scrutiny from the Wolves game and had a decent performance, but will need to be at his best at Tottenham.
Gabriel
In the spotlight with Raya following Wolves' equaliser, but should arguably have been trusted by his keeper to just head the ball clear instead of being impeded.
Piero Hincapie
Another goal contribution at Wolves. That is two in two games for the defender, and he is perhaps one of the few players in good form.
Martin Zubimendi
After six months of top displays, Martin Zubimendi is facing considerable criticism of late, and calls for Christian Norgaard have never been greater.
Declan Rice
This is the game where you need your biggest players to step up, and there are none bigger perhaps now than Declan Rice.
Arsenal have put themselves in a brilliant position in the Premier League title race against Manchester City and Aston Villa
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Arsenal have put themselves in a brilliant position in the Premier League title race against Manchester City and Aston Villa(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Martin Odegaard
Mikel Arteta alluded to the attacking midfielder having a "big possibility" of being involved, and if he is ready, I can totally see him starting here.
Bukayo Saka
After signing a new deal and scoring against Wolves, the hope is that Saka has found some form and can end the season strongly.
Viktor Gyokeres
Zero shots and five miscontrols against Wolves; not ideal, and not good enough. But neither was Gabriel Jesus, and with questions over Kai Havertz's fitness, the Swede starts.
Leandro Trossard
Mikel Arteta confirmed that the Belgian is fine despite being substituted following a clash against Wolves with what appeared to be a head injury.
Article continues below
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BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard of Arsenal following victory in the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on November 01, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
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