The first North London Derby of the 2025/26 season is upon us, as two injury-hit rivals collide at the Emirates.
Tottenham and Arsenal currently boast the poorest bills of health in the Premier League, but that shouldn't diminish the occasion this weekend. Thomas Frank, who oversaw a 1-0 victory over the Gunners in pre-season, is aiming to inspire Spurs' first league victory at Arsenal's home since 2010, while the hosts are searching for another statement triumph to further aid their title tilt.
Rarely is it a pleasant experience when we venture across to the cringier half of north London, with Tottenham sides, both good and sub-par, tending to wilt when they enter hostile territory.
But can Frank's group create a special memory this weekend? There are notable absences, sure, but the Dane has players at his disposal who are capable of inspiring a rare Emirates victory. Here are the three that need to step up most for the away side.
1. Cristian Romero
The skipper had a disrupted period before the November break through injury, returning off the bench against Chelsea, only to play a makeshift centre-forward role late on in a bid to inspire a gram of momentum.
Romero has been excellent at the start of the season, embracing his responsibility, but his performance in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United was arguably his worst for quite some time.
He's returned from international duty unscathed, and Spurs desperately need their captain to set the tone on Sunday. It feels like we haven't enjoyed Romero in a North London Derby for a while, but he's the man who's thrived on the big stage before and Arsenal, a potent unit, are bound to make us suffer for periods on home soil.
Frank needs Romero to stand tall if Spurs are to claim a positive result. No funny business, skipper.
2. João Palhinha
Some remain skeptical over João Palhinha: the anti-passer.
I agree that there are times when the ball-winning Portuguese midfielder isn't required, but we're not playing Burnley at home this weekend. There are currently few tougher grounds to win at than the Emirates, and Frank is undoubtedly going to rely upon his midfield enforcer.
The extent of Spurs' success will be determined by their efficacy without possession, with Frank likely to adopt similar ploys from the UEFA Super Cup and Manchester City win. Palhinha was a standout in both games.
I expect a direct plan with the ball, thus avoiding the midfield trap, but the engine room will be key in disrupting the rhythm of Arsenal's build-up, as well as the influences of Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice. Palhinha's outstanding defensive attributes simply have to come to the fore if we're to tame and frustrate our opponents.
3. Xavi Simons
I like the idea of Pape Matar Sarr playing here, while Mohammed Kudus is the most likely to exploit a reshuffled Arsenal left-hand side. However, both are injury doubts heading into the derby, so I've picked Xavi as the third player who needs to step up on Sunday.
If Sarr isn't ready, the Dutchman, who scored for his country over the break, will surely earn a starting berth in the No. 10 role. Xavi doesn't boast Sarr's engine, but he's a scrappy playmaker who'll fight tooth and nail. His defensive effort has perhaps gone unnoticed at times because we've all expected him to light up N17 with his craft with the ball.
It's been a fairly tricky start to Premier League life, but the circumstances have so far been tough to thrive in. Spurs' attack is yet to click as a collective, and a combination of factors means Xavi has rarely been accessed in optimal zones.
Despite his slow start, Xavi remains the guy most capable of unpicking a stout Arsenal defence. Kudus' presence is very much necessary, but relying on a direct outlet for 90 minutes could prove a risky ploy. Frank knows that he's yet to unlock his chief creator, and this would be some occasion for the Dutchman to enjoy his breakout Premier League game, having purred in spells so far.