The Athletic FC Podcast: The Preview – Spurs vs Arsenal

Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Matt Davis Adams
Guests: Dan Kilpatrick, Arthur Rochet
Theme: A comprehensive preview of the North London Derby – Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal – including managerial changes, tactical dilemmas, pressure points, injury crises, and implications for the Premier League race.

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the North London Derby, dissecting Tottenham’s abrupt managerial change and Arsenal’s recent stumbles in pursuit of the Premier League title. Host Matt Davis Adams, with insight from Dan Kilpatrick and Arthur Rochet, unpacks the significance of Igor Tudor’s appointment at Spurs, Arsenal’s mentality under pressure, the tactical headaches on both sides, and broader Premier League narratives heading into Matchweek 27.

Spurs: New Boss Igor Tudor Enters the Fray

• Tudor’s Appointment & Expectations

  • Matt opens with the context: Igor Tudor’s first match as interim manager comes amid a crisis at Spurs.
  • Dan reflects on the end of the Frank era, expressing relief and the reasoning behind Tudor’s hiring:
    • "He specializes...in coming into clubs who are having a difficult time, when squads are sort of on their knees, and lifting them and getting instant results." (Dan, 02:23)
    • "He’s never set foot in English football before...the Premier League is a different beast to most other leagues in Europe, so that’s a worry." (Dan, 03:18)
    • Tudor is viewed as a short-term fix to stabilize Spurs, get crucial points, and pave the way for bigger managerial options post-World Cup.

• Squad Crisis and Tactical Uncertainty

  • With only 12 senior players fit, lineup choices are extremely limited.
  • Dan notes Tudor’s reputation for a back-three system but questions its feasibility with current injuries.
  • "He said in his first interview he was going to prioritize style over system...he arguably doesn’t have the players to play that system against Arsenal unless he puts Pollina in a back three." (Dan, 05:48)
  • Delicate balance needed: Fans don’t want an ultra-defensive approach, but going toe-to-toe with Arsenal could backfire.

Arsenal: Pressure and Patterns

• Facing the Unknown, Focus on Themselves

  • Arthur discusses the difficulties of preparing for a new manager but emphasizes Arsenal’s need to concentrate on their own game:
    • "The focus does actually have to be more on how they kind of get through games and not only score goals to go ahead, but kill games off." (Arthur, 04:32)

• Identifying Arsenal’s Recent Struggles

  • Two main problems:
    1. Squandering leads / Lack of ruthless game management: Arsenal allows opponents to remain in games too long.
    2. Composure Issues: Decisions and poise under pressure are lacking, as highlighted in the Forest and Wolves draws.
    • "There’s so many games where even if they have gone on to win, the game’s still been open for the opposition to try and nick a point." (Arthur, 08:00)
    • "Lack of composure in certain moments...they weren’t able to do that at the City Ground...even when they were two up." (Arthur, 09:22)

Mentality and Pressure

• Is Arsenal’s Issue Mental?

  • Dan believes it’s overly simplistic to claim Arsenal have a weak mentality, but acknowledges the tangible weight of expectation:
    • "They just looked like a side that really wanted the game to end." (Dan, 10:35)
    • Reminisces about teams needing to learn to win – "Going from runners up to being winners is a big jump." (Dan, 11:12)
    • League Cup runs and minor trophies can be steps in that development.

• The Stakes This Weekend

  • Matt and Arthur agree that, functionally, every game is becoming "must win" for Arsenal, regardless of opponent form or league position:
    • "I think every game is what is a must win at the minute." (Arthur, 12:48)
    • "When you're Arsenal in this position, you’re going to be the ones that are there to be shot at. So get used to it." (Arthur, 14:01)

Key Tactical and Personnel Questions

Arsenal’s Attacking Variations

• Saka in the 10 Position:

  • Used behind the striker in recent matches; brings a different profile, though Arteta hasn't nailed his best attack yet.
  • "What I like about him in those areas is that he just offers a maybe a different profile to that of Havertz or Odegaard..." (Arthur, 16:15)

• Havertz versus Jokers Up Front:

  • Discussion about retaining ball and platform for attacks.

• Absence of Bereza:

  • Despite his hat-trick in the reverse fixture, likely won’t start due to form and preference for other players.

Spurs’ Lineup Constraints

• List of injuries is lengthy (Odogie, Kulusevski, Poro, Maddison, Richarlison, Bentancur, Davies, among others); Romero is suspended.
• Little real tactical flexibility.
• "Most of us could accurately get close to predicting this Spurs team and I’m kind of more interested really in the way they’re going to play rather than who actually plays." (Dan, 19:22)

Game Approach Dilemmas

• Spurs:

  • Matt to Dan: "If you've got 12 fit senior players and you're facing a team who are low on confidence, maybe you are better off just trying to get at them..."
  • Dan: "The best way to lose this game is to get at them from the off, but...the best way not to lose the game is to not do that." (Dan, 21:28)
  • Spurs may try to frustrate Arsenal, replicate Wolves’ defensive success, and hope nerves creep in late.

• Arsenal:

  • Matt: "Is it sideways backwards set pieces or is it...handbrake off time?"
  • Arthur: "Too often Arsenal matches feel like chess matches and I'd like them to feel like football matches again." (Arthur, 23:07)
  • Desire for more width, tempo, and directness, but recognizes the rhythm can be dictated by the opponent’s aggression (or lack thereof).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spurs’ “firefighter” hire:
  • "He feels like a good pick for this situation because he’s used to coming in when squads are kind of on their knees." (Dan, 05:48)
• On Arsenal’s habits:
  • "There have been so many games where even if they have gone on to win, the game’s still been...open for the opposition..." (Arthur, 08:00)
• On pressure and learning to win:
  • "Going from runners up to being winners is a big jump and there’s a different mentality or approach required for that." (Dan, 11:12)
• On the fixture’s emotion:
  • "When you're Arsenal in this position, you’re going to be the ones that are there to be shot at. So get used to it." (Arthur, 14:01)
• On the tactical chess match:
  • "Too often Arsenal matches feel like chess matches and I'd like them to feel like football matches again." (Arthur, 23:07)

Predictions (24:51)

• Dan Kilpatrick:
  • "I’d bite your hand off for a stodgy draw right now...I’ll go for one all." (Dan, 24:55)
• Arthur Rochet:
  • "I think it'll probably be one all to maybe let's say 70 minutes and then I think Arsenal just about edge it. Two, one." (Arthur, 25:30)
• Matt Davis Adams:
  • Sides with Dan: "A rare draw in this fixture, I think we shall see." (Matt, 25:41)

Broader Premier League Discussion (From 29:11 onwards)

Manchester City vs Newcastle:

• City expected to continue home dominance; Newcastle looking more to cup competitions.

Everton vs Man United:

• Unpredictable Everton, praised for progress under Moyes.
• Man Utd’s momentum may have stalled with a draw at West Ham, but the international break offers a reset.

Relegation Battle & Champions League Race:

• Leeds and Forest: Leeds have shown resilience under Farke; Forest seemingly destabilized by managerial changes.
• Burnley’s brief hope seen as too little, too late.
• Villa tipped to finish above Liverpool in the race for Champions League spots due to consistency.

Fulham vs Sunderland & Brentford vs Brighton:

• Fulham and Sunderland both deserving of midtable stability.
• Brentford receive plaudits for overachieving with a new manager.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Spurs Managerial Change & Tudor Introduction: 02:23 – 05:48
• Arsenal’s Form and Goalscoring Issues: 08:00 – 10:17
• Mentality and Pressure on Arsenal: 10:35 – 12:28
• Tactical/Personnel Preview: 16:15 – 23:07
• Predictions: 24:51 – 25:47
• Premier League Topline Stories: 29:11 – 49:22

Summary

This episode provides an incisive look at one of English football’s fiercest derbies, as both teams enter with unresolved questions. Spurs have gone for a specialist in crisis management, aiming to grind out results and avoid disaster. Arsenal, meanwhile, try to avoid another slip in the relentless title race, but must address both performance and psychology. Beyond North London, the panel surveys the relegation fight, Champions League chases, and several teams in search of identity or momentum.

If you missed the episode, this summary arms you with the key talking points, tactical debates, injury woes, and psychological edges that could decide one of the most consequential North London Derbies in years.