Tottenham vs Arsenal Early Injury News as 12 Ruled Out and 4 Doubts for North London Derby
By Jamie Kemble, Football Reporter. Published 19th Feb 2026, 06:00 GMT.
The latest edition of the North London derby is almost upon us, with Arsenal and Tottenham set to clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. As both teams gear up for this highly anticipated match, injury concerns loom large, with a total of 12 players ruled out and 4 others listed as doubts. This situation could significantly influence the outcome of the derby, adding an extra layer of drama to the encounter.
Arsenal's Injury Situation
For Arsenal, the Gunners are entering the final quarter of the season with their sights firmly set on the title. However, they face several key absences. Martin Odegaard is a doubt, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing hope that the captain could return for Sunday's match, though he was unavailable for the midweek fixture against Wolves. Mikel Merino is out for months after undergoing surgery for a foot fracture, with Arteta noting that recovery will take three to five months. Max Dowman remains unavailable for another couple of weeks as he continues his rehabilitation.
On a positive note, Riccardo Calafiori is fit and ready to play, providing some stability in defense. Kai Havertz is also a possibility for the weekend, offering potential attacking options.
Tottenham's Injury Woes
Tottenham, under new interim boss Igor Tudor, are looking to kickstart their survival bid with a derby win, but they are hampered by numerous injuries. Wilson Odobert is out for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Destiny Udogie is sidelined for four to five weeks with a hamstring injury, while Cristian Romero is suspended after a red card against Manchester United.
Other key absences include Kevin Danso, who is weeks away from availability, and Lucas Bergvall, expected to miss around six more weeks with an ankle injury. Ben Davies is out until April after ankle surgery, and Rodrigo Bentancur will be absent until after the March international break following hamstring surgery. Mohammed Kudus is ruled out for months with a quad tendon issue, and Dejan Kulusevski's return this season is uncertain. James Maddison is out long-term with a knee injury, with no specific timeframe for his comeback.
Doubts persist for Pedro Porro and Richarlison, who have outside chances of featuring, but their participation remains uncertain.
Impact on the Derby
These injury updates highlight the challenges both teams face as they prepare for the North London derby. Arsenal's title ambitions and Tottenham's survival hopes could be heavily influenced by the availability of key players. With 12 ruled out and 4 doubts, managers Arteta and Tudor will need to rely on squad depth and tactical adjustments to navigate this crucial match.
The derby promises to be a tense and unpredictable affair, with injury news playing a pivotal role in shaping the teams' strategies and outcomes on the pitch.
