Arsenal made light work of their rivals in a 4-1 win back in November, with the hosts’ winless streak against Arteta’s side going back to 2022. This time, a new manager takes charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, facing a Gunners side still fighting for the title.
It's Premier League action on Sunday, February 22, as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Arsenal to North London for a derby that carries extra significance for both bitter adversaries.
New Spurs boss Igor Tudor will experience the true definition of a baptism of fire, while his opposite number, Mikel Arteta, faces the dreaded bottle accusation again.
📈Team Form📉
⚪ Tottenham Hotspur: 16th in the Premier League table with just four points from their last eight games.
🔴 Arsenal: Top of the Premier League table but with a vulnerable advantage at the summit.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games against Spurs.
🔥 Arsenal have won their last three Premier League visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
🔥 Tottenham are the only team without a Premier League victory so far in 2026.
🔥 Igor Tudor has won his first game in charge of each of his last five clubs – can he make it six?
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
⚪Tottenham Hotspur | Form: W🟢D🟡W🟢D🟡L🔴L🔴:
Igor Tudor inherits a Tottenham squad sitting just five points above the relegation zone, with the third-worst Premier League home record featuring just two wins.
However, history suggests the Croatian could immediately get into the fans' good books – he has won his first game in charge of each of his last five clubs. But he faces an Arsenal side that they haven't beaten in seven league meetings.
🔴Arsenal | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢D🟡W🟢D🟡:
Mikel Arteta's men dropped two points to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 2-2 draw, repeatedly gifting possession back to the bottom-placed side.
They remain in control of their title destiny, but dropped points on the road have become an unhealthy habit – they have won just three of their nine Premier League games away from home.
However, their North London derby dominance has been unquestioned, having won their last three visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
⚪Tottenham Hotspur (possible):
Vicario, Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Spence, Gallagher, Palhinha, Sarr, Kolo Muani, Solanke, Simons.
🔴Arsenal (possible):
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀
✨ Randal Kolo Muani — The ex-Juve favourite could make his full derby debut for Spurs.
✨ Viktor Gyokeres— Expected to be a physical presence in the middle of Spur’s strong centre-backs.
✨ Bukayo Saka — Excelled as a number 10 against Wolves and could revert to the right if Odegaard starts.
✨ Dominic Solanke — Will lead the line for Spurs as they look to end their winless run in 2026.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Tottenham/Home to win = 6.18
💵 Arsenal/Away to win = 1.62
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.89
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.82
This clash presents a classic clash of desperation: a confident Arsenal side chasing the title faces a Tottenham team desperate for points to escape the relegation battle.
With history offering no hope for the hosts, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set for a compelling North London derby night.
Who do you think will take the points? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Tottenham vs Arsenal game here on MSport.
#Tottenham #Arsenal #NorthLondonDerby #PremierLeague #Tudor #Arteta #TottenhamHotspurStadium #Saka #Odegaard #Solanke #KoloMuani #Gyokeres
Football often falls for the flashy sprint and the over-the-top stepover. But for those who truly know the game, there is a different kind of magic—one found in the strength of a chest-down, the precision of a flick, and the habit of winning wherever you go.
In an era of relentless speed, Olivier Giroud remains the ultimate craftsman. While others relied on pace, Giroud relied on his mind and his massive frame to become a nightmare for defenders across Europe.
From the underdog triumph with Montpellier to lifting the World Cup and the Champions League, the Frenchman has spent his career proving that being "underrated" is just another word for being a silent assassin.
He is the man who makes everyone around him better. He is the bridge between the midfield and the goal, a striker who turned the "number nine" role into a selfless art form.
Whether it is a trademark near-post header or a Puskas-winning scorpion kick, Giroud doesn't just score goals; he creates memories that defy his critics.
🔥 What They Say About Him 🗣️:
🗣️ Arsene Wenger: You have to kneel before his career. Nothing was given to him to start with. He transformed that goal into art. It was art because of the surprise and the beauty of the movement.
🗣️ Eden Hazard: Olivier is a target man, maybe the best in the world. I think so. When he gets the ball he can hold it and we can go in deep with him, so for us it is a pleasure to play with him.
🗣️ Zlatan Ibrahimovic: He is a serious person. He is not someone who is going to score 40 goals a year, but he brings something to the team that few others do because he is not egocentric on the pitch. He plays for everyone.
🗣️ Didier Deschamps: His longevity speaks for itself. That is his merit. What I remember first is his visceral attachment to the blue jersey. Like me, he always placed the French team above everything.
🗣️ Jean-Pierre Papin: He is one of the last true number nines around. There are no more; they do not make them like that anymore.
📋 Player Profile 💪🦵:
👉 Full Name: Olivier Jonathan Giroud
👉 Date of Birth: September 30, 1986 (39)
👉 Place of Birth: Chambery, France
👉 Nationality: French
👉 Height: 1.93m
👉 Preferred Foot: Left
👉 Position: Centre-Forward
👉 Club: Lille
⚽ What Makes Giroud Special 🔍:
🔹 Master of Hold-up Play: Exceptional strength and balance allow him to shield the ball against the world’s toughest defenders, bringing teammates into the attack.
🔹 Aerial Dominance: A constant threat from set-pieces and crosses, using his height and timing to win duels and provide flick-ons.
🔹 One-Touch Finishing: Renowned for his instinctive finishing in tight spaces, often with delicate flicks or powerful first-time strikes.
🔹 Selfless Link-up: His technical intelligence allows him to act as a focal point, creating space and opportunities for wingers to exploit.
🔹 Big Game Pedigree: A player for the grandest stages, consistently delivering crucial goals in cup finals and international tournaments.
🏆 Achievements 🏆:
🏆 FIFA World Cup – 2018
🏆 UEFA Champions League – 2021
🏆 UEFA Europa League – 2019
🏆 UEFA Nations League – 2021
🏆 Serie A Italian Champion – 2022
🏆 Ligue 1 French Champion – 2012
🏆 English FA Cup – 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
🏆 FIFA Puskas Award – 2017
🏆 France All-Time Top Scorer – (57 Goals)
🔚 Final Words 🎯✨:
Olivier Giroud is the definitive proof that you don't need to be the loudest person in the room to be the most important. He conquered France, England, and Italy, leaving a trail of trophies and silenced doubters in his wake.
He might not have the pace of a sprinter, but he has the heart of a lion and the touch of a poet. He has been the perfect foil for superstars like Hazard, Griezmann, and Mbappe, proving that the greatest strikers aren't just measured by their own goals, but by the glory they bring to their team.
The history books will remember the records, but the fans will remember the elegance. Olivier Giroud didn't just play the game; he mastered the art of being exactly where he needed to be.
🔗 You can check out today’s games here on MSport.
#OlivierGiroud #Giroud #France #Lille #Striker #Puskas #WorldCup #Chelsea #Arsenal #ACMilan #MSport #FootballStories #Ligue1