After the calamitous start of 2026 in the Premier League, the North London derby will be the last chance for Mikel Arteta to revive the dream of the Gunners to win the league title for the first time since 2003. In their last 7 Premier League games, Arsenal has won only 2, drawn 4, and lost 1. The Gunners have lost probable 11 points during the phase when Manchester City has successfully revived, with 12 points in the last 7 matches. The lead for table toppers is only 5 points now, with City having a match in hand. After the draw against the Wolverhampton Wanderers last Wednesday, the North London Derby has become the most crucial fixture for Arteta to stay in the hunt.
“…. we didn’t do what we had to do. The way to do it is on that pitch on Sunday, in a great opportunity that we have”. The Spanish manager has uttered these in front of the press. He might have realised as well that the upcoming North London Derby will be the last chance for him to revive the dream again, even though there is all possibility that Manchester City will bring the deficit down to only 2 points after their class on this Saturday at Etihad against Newcastle. There are certain issues in the team, strategy and on pitch. But the Gunners have to overcome them before the North London Derby on 22nd February to bring the belief back in the camp, which is also necessary before the knock-out cup competitions resume in March.
Tottenham, on the other hand, is waiting at a devastated stage at their home for their North London rival. Spurs have earned only 10 points in 13 home games this season, better than only Wolverhampton Wanderers. Across the competitions, they have suffered 8 home defeats, of which 7 were in the Premier League. This season, the Spurs have managed only 2 wins out of 8 matches against all their London rivals. They are only 5 points clear of relegation-threatened West Ham. The stats are not in favour of the host at all. In the history of the Premier League, Arsenal has won 25 matches of their North London derby, while losing only 15 in 62 matches. The results of the last 10 matches make the stat even stronger in favour of the visitor, with 8 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss against Spurs.
The result of the last 10 North London Derby is favouring the Gunners
Following the statistical data, the list of absentees on the host’s side will make it easier for Mikel Arteta to bounce back after the disappointing result at Molineux Stadium on Wednesday. Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies, and Rodrigo Bentancur are among them who might not be able to take part again in the Spurs’ campaign this season. Maddison and Kulusevski will also miss out on the North London Derby. Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Kevin Danso and Destiny Udogie will surely miss the derby on Sunday. Tottenham’s season captain, Cristian Romero, is already suspended and will remain unavailable for Igor Tudor. There is still doubt on Richarlison and Pedro Porro, even though the former has joined training this week.
Arsenal could not have asked for any better time to face their North London rival. A new manager, poor condition in points table, and a long list of absentees due to injury and suspension have already made the host the second favourite before the kick-off in Sunday’s North London derby. But Arteta has no time to look anywhere else at the moment, especially after the shocking result against Wolves. Even though Mikel Merino is out after surgery and Leondro Tossard, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegard are in doubt, Arsenal has to win it on Sunday to stay in the race. Even though his supporters are still reminiscing about Arteta’s performance to bring the team back, where everyone in Europe is taking them as a major challenger for all trophies, critics have already started highlighting his mistakes. Wingers are continually failing to score or assist; €63.5 million’s centre forward remains pedestrian; £67.5 million’s midfielder Eze has become a comical transfer since the first North London Derby of the season back in November at Emirates. Even Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has started to lose his voice in support of Arsenal. Fans are frustrated, legends are fuming, and critics are ready to attack. He can change strategy, individuals, or formation; whatever he prefers. But Mikel Arteta has to change the result in favour of the Gunners on this Sunday at the North London Derby, to revive again.