Arsenal worried about Gyokeres' absence from Tottenham derby, relying on Merino
Gyokeres is out with a hamstring injury; Arsenal are without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino can step in – 37.5% of his goals have come in London derbies.
Ahead of the North London derby, Arsenal face a big risk: Viktor Gyokeres remains doubtful due to a hamstring injury. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus also unavailable, Mikel Arteta is likely to have to put his trust in Mikel Merino to play the role of temporary striker. Data shows that 37.5% of Merino's Premier League goals have come in London derbies, opening up a promising alternative scenario against Tottenham.
Gyokeres' absence and the problem of attacking structure
Arsenal were initially optimistic, but recent assessments have suggested Gyokeres is still doubtful. The Swede’s importance lies in both his finishing ability and his ability to maintain rhythm and structure. Without him, Mikel Arteta’s squad suffers a marked loss of attacking effectiveness and consistency in build-up play.
Without Havertz and Jesus, Arteta’s options are limited. Merino – not a natural striker – may have to take on the central role once again. The question is not just who scores, but how Arsenal will maintain cohesion over the 90 minutes of a gruelling derby.
Merino and his fate before London football teams
Merino is having an impressive 2025 in terms of goalscoring for both club and country. Remarkably, 37.5% of his Premier League goals have come in London derbies. Of his eight league goals, three have come against Fulham, Brentford and Chelsea. He has also scored three against Champions League teams Liverpool and Newcastle.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Total goals in the Premier League | 8 |
| Table in London derby | 3 (37.5%) |
| London team scored | Fulham, Brentford, Chelsea |
| Table against Champions League team | 3 |
| Opponents in this group | Liverpool, Newcastle |
For Tottenham, the news of Gyokeres’ injury may be an initial relief. But the Merino story suggests Arsenal still have another threat. The Spaniard has made his mark against strong opponents or Londoners on multiple occasions – enough to convince Arteta to see him as a “weapon” for the showdown.
Personal motivation in the North London derby
Since joining Arsenal in 2024, Merino has played just nine minutes against Tottenham. He missed the first derby of the 2024/25 season through injury, and was only brought on in the return leg at the Emirates with time running out. A start – if it happens in the next game – would be a chance for Merino to build on his goalscoring form in 2025, and solve Arteta’s personnel problem.
The pressure of the top of the table and the meaning of the match
Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the table – a slim advantage compared to their closest rivals Manchester City. In a race that is long, every derby could be a turning point. To keep their title hopes alive, Arsenal need to maximise every opportunity, starting with this weekend's trip to face Spurs.
The North London Derby has always produced unlikely heroes. If Gyokeres is unavailable, all eyes will be on Merino – whose numbers are backing him in the London heat.
