The north London derby returns with Arsenal hosting Tottenham in a high-stakes clash at the Emirates Stadium. While Arsenal aims to keep their title hopes alive, Spurs hope to salvage their season and rebuild momentum under Ange Postecoglou.
Arsenal finds themselves in a challenging position after a rocky start to 2025. The Gunners dropped points against Brighton, lost to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, and were recently knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United.
These setbacks leave them six points behind league leaders Liverpool, making a win against their bitter rivals a must.
Tottenham, meanwhile, has endured a dismal run under Ange Postecoglou, slipping into the bottom half of the table.
Spurs haven’t won a league match in over a month and needed extra time to defeat non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup.
Despite these struggles, they carry a slim 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes his old club will prevail in this derby. He predicts a comfortable win for Arsenal, citing Spurs’ inconsistency and Arsenal’s superior quality, even in the absence of Bukayo Saka and a recognized center-forward.
“Tottenham is too unpredictable, and I just don’t see how they can win at the Emirates,” Merson said. “If Arsenal can win and Forest manages to get a result against Liverpool, the title race could be wide open again.”
Ex-striker Chris Sutton also backs Arsenal to secure a crucial victory, emphasizing their ability to exploit Spurs’ expansive style of play. “Tottenham’s defense and goalkeeper are still adjusting, and Arsenal can capitalize on that,” Sutton said.
Key Match Details:
- Date: Wednesday, January 15
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Kickoff: 8:00 PM
Arsenal’s Title Challenge
A win against Spurs is essential for Arsenal to close the gap on Liverpool and maintain their place in the title race. Meanwhile, Tottenham will be fighting for pride and to reverse their fortunes in the league.
With both sides having much to play for, the north London derby promises drama, intensity, and a potential turning point in the Premier League title race.