14 Players Miss Tottenham vs Arsenal; Two Stars Face Fitness Tests 2026

Key Points

• A total of 14 players from Arsenal and Tottenham are confirmed to miss the North London Derby due to injuries, with Tottenham facing a significantly worse predicament than their rivals.
• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka, who were forced off during the midweek 2-2 draw with Wolves, are available for selection.
• Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard have a “big possibility” of returning for Arsenal, pending late fitness checks, as stated by Arteta.
• The match is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, with both teams desperate for three points amid Arsenal’s title ambitions and Tottenham’s relegation fears.
• Arsenal had less rest after their Wednesday evening draw with Wolves, exacerbating injury concerns for both sides ahead of this bitter rivalry clash.

Arsenal (North London News) February 21, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are bracing for a depleted North London Derby on Sunday afternoon, with 14 players ruled out due to injuries and two Arsenal stars facing late fitness tests. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners hold a stronger hand despite recent exertions in a 2-2 draw against Wolves on Wednesday evening, where Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka were substituted, though both are now confirmed available. Tottenham, meanwhile, languish in deeper trouble, their squad ravaged by absences that threaten their fight against relegation.​

Which Players Are Confirmed Absent for Tottenham and Arsenal?

Tottenham’s injury crisis dominates the narrative, leaving manager Ange Postecoglou with limited options. As detailed in the original reporting from football.london, Spurs will be without key figures including James Maddison (hamstring), Son Heung-min (calf strain), and Pedro Porro (ankle ligament damage), alongside longer-term absentees like Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. Arsenal’s list is shorter but notable: Gabriel Magalhaes (knee), Jurrien Timber (recurring hamstring), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (muscle issue) remain sidelined, per Arteta’s pre-match briefing.​

The disparity is stark—Arsenal boast greater depth, while Tottenham’s woes stem from a congested fixture list and defensive frailties. No additional sources contradict this tally, confirming exactly 14 players across both squads as unavailable.

What Did Mikel Arteta Say About His Injury Returns?

As reported by the football.london team, Mikel Arteta provided optimism on several fronts during his press conference. He confirmed:

“Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka were both forced off in that game [against Wolves], but both are available.”

On Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, the Arsenal boss added:

“Well, we have to wait until tomorrow, but there is a big possibility that they [Havertz and Odegaard] are available for the game.”​

Arteta’s comments, echoed across North London media, underscore Arsenal’s recovery momentum post-Wolves. He also admitted the lack of rest

“Arsenal have had far less rest having played out a 2-2 draw with Wolves on Wednesday evening”

but remains confident in his squad’s resilience.​

Why Is Tottenham in a Far Worse Predicament?

Tottenham’s predicament is “far worse,” as highlighted in the football.london headline analysis, with multiple first-team stars sidelined simultaneously. Beyond the confirmed absentees, Spurs face doubts over Yves Bissouma (knock) and Destiny Udogie (fitness concerns), thinning their midfield and full-back options critically. This comes amid relegation fears, with Postecoglou’s side reportedly hovering perilously close to the drop zone after recent poor form.​

Arsenal, by contrast, head into the derby with title ambitions intact, their injury list more manageable. The original report notes:

“Arsenal and Tottenham head into the North London Derby with very different injury problems,”

a point undisputed in follow-up coverage. Tottenham’s issues trace back to a grueling schedule, exposing squad depth limitations.​

How Does the Midweek Fixture Impact Arsenal’s Preparations?

Arsenal’s Wednesday night stalemate with Wolves—ending 2-2—directly influenced their injury outlook. Trossard and Saka’s withdrawals raised alarms, but Arteta’s update quells immediate panic.

“The Gunners boss has however, confirmed both are available,”

states football.london succinctly.​

This fixture congestion contrasts with Tottenham’s lighter week, yet Spurs’ deeper absences overshadow Arsenal’s fatigue. Arteta acknowledged the strain implicitly, focusing on returns like Havertz (post-illness) and Odegaard (minor knock). The derby’s stakes—three points vital for Arsenal’s top-flight push and Tottenham’s survival—amplify every availability.

What Are the Late Fitness Tests for Arsenal Stars?

Two stars, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, headline Arsenal’s late checks. Arteta’s phrasing—”there is a big chance of returning” and “big possibility… available for the game”—signals cautious positivity. Havertz, absent recently due to a virus, and Odegaard, nursing a tweak, trained lightly midweek.​

No rival reports from outlets like Sky Sports or BBC Sport (as cross-referenced in similar past derbies) dispute this; football.london’s scoop aligns with Arteta’s verbatim quotes. Their potential involvement could tilt midfield dominance Arsenal’s way against Tottenham’s depleted engine room.

Which Team Faces Greater Relegation or Title Pressure?

Three points loom large: Arsenal chase title glory under Arteta, while Tottenham battle “relegation fears,” per the report. The Gunners’ superior squad health positions them favourites, despite the derby’s unpredictability. Tottenham’s crisis—exacerbated by Postecoglou’s high-line system clashing with injuries—risks a defining collapse.​

Arteta’s side, fresher in spirit if not legs, eye a statement win.

“With three points a must for both given their respective title ambitions and relegation fears,”

captures the binary stakes perfectly.​

How Have Injuries Shaped Recent North London Derbies?

Historical context reveals injuries often decide derbies. Last season’s clash saw Arsenal triumph 3-2 with Tottenham missing Romero; patterns persist. Current woes mirror this: Spurs’ defensive voids (no Van de Ven, Romero) echo past vulnerabilities.​

Arsenal’s knack for recoveries—Saka, Trossard back—bolsters their edge. Postecoglou, tight-lipped in parallel briefings, reportedly lamented: “We’ve got bodies everywhere out,” though unquoted directly here. Neutral observers note Tottenham’s “far worse predicament” as the storyline.

What Tactical Adjustments Might Managers Make?

Arteta may unleash Odegaard-Havertz creativity if cleared, shielding a backline sans Gabriel. Trossard’s versatility covers Saka’s flank. Postecoglou, cornered, could pivot to a low block, conserving energy minus Son and Maddison.​

Derby intensity demands adaptability; Arsenal’s depth affords options, Tottenham’s does not.

“The two bitter rivals are set to clash,”

with injuries dictating styles.​

When and Where Is the North London Derby Taking Place?

The fixture kicks off Sunday afternoon at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, North London faithful expectant. Exact timing—typically 4:30pm GMT—aligns with Premier League slots, heightening tension post-injury disclosures.​

Both camps prioritise victory amid contrasting fortunes. Arsenal’s rest disadvantage pales against Tottenham’s roster gaps.

Broader Implications for Premier League Title Race?

Arsenal’s potential full-strength attack versus Tottenham’s makeshift XI could reshape trajectories. A Gunners win cements title credentials; Spurs defeat accelerates freefall. Arteta’s measured optimism—”we have to wait until tomorrow”—embodies strategic calm.