Tottenham take on Arsenal in one of the biggest north London derbies in recent memory on Sunday, February 22 (4.30pm kick-off).
For Spurs, who are languishing near the Premier League relegation zone, it marks their first match under new interim boss Igor Tudor.
Arsenal, on the other hand, enter this huge match off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-table Wolves.
It’s a massive clash that will directly affect both the top and bottom of the league table.
Here, Sport Just Sport writer Emily Clogg discusses five major talking points ahead of the north London derby.
Can Arsenal bounce back?
The major news in the Premier League this week is that of Arsenal’s disastrous 2-2 draw at the hands of Wolves.
After going 2-0 up and gaining what appeared to be a reasonably comfortable cushion, the wheels fell off for Mikel Arteta’s men.
A wonderful outside-the-box effort from Hugo Bueno gave Wolves a lifeline, and substitute Tom Edozie’s 94th-minute goal secured their all-important point.
Speaking to the press after the match, Arteta said the Gunners’ performance, particularly in that second half, was simply not good enough.
Arsenal failed to capitalise on an opportunity to go seven points clear at the top of the table.
They now sit four points ahead of Manchester City, but Guardiola’s side have played a game less.
This lead, therefore, could be reduced to just one singular point.
This weekend could not be bigger for Arsenal and Arteta.
A reaction is absolutely crucial to their title hopes.
Win, and the title is still – just about – in their hands.
Drop points, and it may be second place once again for this talented squad.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Premier League: Rob Edwards elated, Mikel Arteta dejected as Wolves hold Arsenal late on – Sport Just Sport
Igor Tudor thrown in deep end
It’s safe to say that this season has not gone as planned for Tottenham.
They’re onto their second manager of the campaign, after Thomas Frank was relieved of his duties.
Spurs are, by their standards, at the wrong end of the Premier League table.
They’re 16th, five points clear of the drop zone.
Former Juventus and Marseille manager Igor Tudor has been brought in to the club in an attempt to steady the ship and, ultimately, avoid relegation.
This weekend’s derby will be his first match in charge as Spurs boss.
The fans are entering this one with relative optimism for the first time in a long time.
Tudor’s appointment is an opportunity for Spurs to start fresh, and the crowd will be right behind Tudor’s men from the first whistle to the last.
Goals, goals, goals
In their last five competitive meetings, this fixture has seen 18 goals.
Most recently, in the reverse meeting this season, Arsenal put the sword to Spurs in a 4-1 demolition job at the Emirates Stadium.
Their latest clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was far less entertaining, though.
Just the one goal, a Gabriel header from a corner, saw Arsenal walk away victors.
This season, Arsenal have netted 52 goals and conceded just 20.
Compared to Tottenham’s 36 for and 37 against, the difference in quality at both ends of the pitch is stark.
Arsenal have earned themselves the reputation of putting on ‘boring’ spectacles due to the limited number of chances they concede.
Six of the 20 goals they have shipped so far this season have been from shots worth 0.04 xG or less.
This shows that, whilst they are difficult to break down, long-range efforts are more likely to go in against them than most other teams in the league.
Richarlison scored a worldie against Arsenal in the reverse fixture back in November; if they can find a goal of a similar vein, the Gunners defence may begin to open up.
READ MORE: Tottenham news: Jamie O’Hara backs Cristian Romero, echoes Ange Postecoglou comments – Sport Just Sport
Spurs’ faltering home form
For most sides, their home stadium is a fortress – or at least somewhat of one.
Arsenal have been excellent at home all season, dropping just five points: a loss to Manchester United, and draws to Liverpool and Manchester City.
As for Spurs, their home form has been far from ideal.
Teams have loved visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this campaign.
They have recorded just two wins from 13 home fixtures in the league.
This provides both Arsenal an opportunity to bounce back in front of their rival fans, and Spurs a chance to finally start an upturn in home form.
Arsenal have won seven matches away from home all season, drawing four and losing two.
They are far from a perfect side, and Spurs need to finally take advantage of their home soil.
Gyokeres versus Solanke
Both north London sides have had issues in the striker position this season, for different seasons.
For Spurs, their man striker Dominic Solanke had been sidelined through injury for the majority of the campaign.
In January, he returned to make his first league appearance since a 2-0 loss to Man City all the way back in August.
Since his first game back, Solanke has netted four goals in all competitions.
Most notably, perhaps, was his brace as Spurs came from 2-0 down to bag a huge point against Man City.
He could be finding form – and fitness – just at the right time for Spurs as they enter a crucial couple of months.
As for Arsenal and Viktor Gyokeres, it’s a similar story, although the Swede’s fitness hasn’t been an issue this season.
Rather, his form at the beginning of the season was a real worry for Gunners fans.
Gyokeres netted just five league goals before the turn of the calendar year against Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Burnley and Everton.
His recent form has been more inspired, with six goals and two assists in all competitions in 2026.
Both sides will be hoping their leading men can spearhead a dominant performance and play a role in securing all three points.
SportJustSport writers