Igor Tudor will be desperate to get off to a winning start when Tottenham lock horns with Arsenal in the North London Derby this weekend
12:27, 20 Feb 2026
Alan Shearer is looking forward to the North London Derby
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Alan Shearer is looking forward to the North London Derby(Image: Betfair)
Alan Shearer believes Igor Tudor is in a 'no-win situation' at Tottenham Hotspur. The interim Spurs head coach was given six simple instructions upon his arrival: improve performances, deliver results and climb the Premier League table, as well as bring organisation, intensity and competitive edge to the squad.
But, even if he achieves those objectives, the Newcastle United legend reckons the job will be a stain on his CV. The Lilywhites head into the North London Derby just five points from the bottom three, and 15 points from the top five.
In an interview with Betfair, Shearer claimed the clash against Arsenal will be 'brilliant' for Tudor to make his mark, despite fears over his future. The former Blackburn Rovers striker said: "This week’s North London Derby is massive for different reasons.
"I mean for Spurs, basically, Igor Tudor has been brought in to steer them away from the relegation zone. Something had to change, something had to give at Spurs, and it has. There probably wasn't a great pool for them to choose from."
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Shearer added: "I guess Igor Tudor is in a no-win situation, because everyone will say, well, they should get out of trouble because it’s Tottenham and they've got a better squad than the teams in and around them, but having said that, they are where they are and if he doesn't keep them in the Premier League, then he will not want relegation with Tottenham on his CV."
While Tudor will be determined to steer Spurs away from a relegation battle, Mikel Arteta will be desperate to restore the Gunners' lead at the top of the table. Manchester City could go within just two points of first place by Sunday evening following Arsenal's draw away to Wolves on Wednesday night.
"So, yeah, it's a huge, huge game for both football clubs, for very, very different reasons," continued Shearer. "It's a brilliant game for the manager to start his campaign with Spurs against their rivals Arsenal, especially with Arsenal heading into it off the back of a poor result against Wolves.
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on after the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 18, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England
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Arsenal bottled the chance to extend their lead in the title race(Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
"What better way would it be for him to start than a win against the rivals, and not only probably steer them clear of relegation, but also maybe even cost Arsenal the title."
Despite the mounting pressure, Shearer Arsenal are still in the driving seat. He added: "The Premier League title is also still in Arsenal’s hands because if they win every game, they win the league.
"Technically, it's in both of their hands, and everyone was always going to look to that game, at the Etihad in April. That was always going to be a key game anyway, and it obviously clearly is.
Xavi Simons has been putting in the extra work ahead of Tottenham vs Arsenal
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Xavi Simons has been putting in the extra work ahead of Tottenham vs Arsenal
"But I think I'm right in saying they've only won something like two of their last seven games, and that's a massive concern. Having said that, after what happened on Wednesday evening, then I'd be looking to the next game and I would actually love it to be a huge one and that’s what they have with it being a North London derby.
"That's exactly what it is at Tottenham, with them also having a new manager, and you put all that together, then it becomes huge..."
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