Cracks are reportedly emerging in Arsenal's Premier League title bid, a concern voiced by former striker Alan Shearer, following their recent 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Gunners famously surrendered a two-goal advantage in that match, which has tightened the title race, leaving them five points clear of Manchester City, though City holds a game in hand. Shearer highlighted Arsenal's recent defensive lapses and the psychological strain of leading the table as critical factors. He never expected Arsenal to 'run away' with the title, especially given their long wait for Premier League success, and suggested that the pressure on them will only intensify.

Attention now turns to the crucial North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, where Arsenal's Premier League lead faces a significant threat. Mikel Arteta's side, still reeling from the Wolves draw, must regroup against a Tottenham team motivated to dent their rivals' title aspirations under new boss Igor Tudor. This derby could be a pivotal moment for Arsenal, potentially reigniting their campaign or deepening their 'wobble'.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, with kick-off at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET; 10 p.m. IST and 2:30 a.m. AEST, Monday). It will be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Peter Bankes will referee the game, with Darren England on VAR duty. Fans can watch in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, in the U.S. on NBC/Peacock, in India on JioHotstar, and in Australia on Stan Sport, with ESPN providing live updates.

Both teams face significant injury challenges. Tottenham's extensive injury list includes Cristian Romero (suspended), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Destiny Udogie (muscle), Ben Davies (ankle), Kevin Danso (toe), Wilson Odobert (ACL), James Maddison (ACL), Lucas Bergvall (leg), Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring), and Mohammed Kudus (muscle), with Pedro Porro (hamstring) and Richarlison (hamstring) also doubtful. Arsenal's injury concerns include Max Dowman (ankle), Mikel Merino (foot), Martin Ødegaard (knock), Kai Havertz (muscle), and Bukayo Saka (muscle).

A key talking point is whether Arsenal's 'wobble' is truly setting in. Having held a 2-0 lead against Wolves in the 56th minute only to concede an injury-time equaliser, what would have been a four-point lead over Manchester City is now just two. With a direct encounter at the Etihad still to come, City's hopes have been renewed. Arsenal's 58 points after 27 games mark the lowest tally for a Premier League leader at this stage since Leicester City's title-winning campaign in 2015-16, indicating potential twists ahead in a notoriously unpredictable league.

For Tottenham, the derby presents an opportunity under new manager Igor Tudor. Despite his lack of Premier League experience, Tudor has a reputation as a 'quick-fix' boss. He has had five days to prepare his squad, who are a week fresher than Arsenal's. Tudor is known for a three-man defence with a fierce press, a stark contrast to his predecessor's style, which could surprise a nervy Arsenal side. While Tottenham may be struggling in the league, a derby victory could significantly impact the title race.

Tactical decisions will be crucial for Arsenal, especially regarding the central attacking midfield role. The question of whether Bukayo Saka or Eberechi Eze will play through the middle arises, particularly with injury doubts surrounding Ødegaard and Saka. Eze, a childhood Arsenal fan, has historically performed well against Spurs, scoring six goals in his last four appearances against them, making him a strong candidate to shine in this high-stakes encounter.

Despite the challenges, Tudor will need to navigate Tottenham's extensive injury list, which restricts his options significantly. However, his track record of winning his first game in charge at his last five clubs offers some optimism. Historically, form often goes out the window in derbies. While Arsenal has won all three of their previous visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Spurs have avoided defeat in only one of the last seven derbies, Arsenal's recent trend of failing to win from winning positions in three of their last five games, coupled with conceding eight goals in their last eight games, suggests an unpredictable contest. Despite the table placing top against 16th, the North London Derby remains a fiercely contested and uncertain fixture.