Arsenal face high-stakes north London derby as pressure mounts

'Bottle jobs' is a slur that has trailed Arsenal after three successive second-place finishes, and the tag risks feeling justified if they fail to secure the title this season. A winter slump has eroded what once looked like a comfortable lead: Manchester City are now two points behind and retain a game in hand.

Results have dipped since the turn of the year. In eight league games Arsenal have won three, drawn four and lost at home to Manchester United, dropping 11 points. Their draw at Wolves was especially damaging — a 2-0 lead was surrendered, the leveller arriving in the 94th minute after a miscommunication involving David Raya, and the team have now dropped seven points from winning positions in 2026, with only West Ham and Crystal Palace worse.

The north London derby on Sunday therefore carries more than local bragging rights. Spurs sit 16th and have moved on from Thomas Frank to Igor Tudor, and Arsenal still face Chelsea and a midweek trip to Brighton, while City have a favourable run of fixtures.

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