Tim Sherwood, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager and midfielder (who also briefly managed Aston Villa), is a regular pundit on Sky Sports and often brings a passionate, no-nonsense perspective to big matches like the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.
With the 2025/26 Premier League derby set for Sunday, November 23, at the Emirates Stadium, Sherwood has been vocal in recent previews. As a lifelong Spurs fan, his takes blend optimism for his old club with respect for Arsenal’s form, though he’s not afraid to highlight vulnerabilities.
Bold Prediction on Arsenal’s Title Fate Sherwood made headlines with a stark ultimatum for Mikel Arteta’s side. He believes a win for Tottenham could shatter Arsenal’s Premier League ambitions, given their current four-point lead at the top of the table.
“If Tottenham win at the Emirates, Arsenal can forget about winning the league. The North London Derby carries enough weight as it is, but now more than ever, this game means a great deal to both teams, given their current situations.”
Context: Sherwood emphasised the psychological blow for Arsenal, especially after Liverpool’s recent slip-up against Nottingham Forest handed the Gunners a lifeline.
He sees Spurs under Thomas Frank as “wounded animals with nothing to lose,” predicting a gritty, re-energising win for Postecoglou’s successors that could propel them toward a top-six finish.
His Takeaway: This isn’t just bragging rights, it’s a potential season-derailer for Arsenal.
Praise for Tottenham’s Attack and Xavi Simons’ Moment
Despite his criticisms elsewhere, Sherwood highlighted Tottenham’s attacking threats, particularly loanee Xavi Simons (from RB Leipzig), who’s been a “refreshing” addition under Frank.
Quote: “If you can score against Arsenal, you automatically elevate to hero status.” (On Simons’ potential impact.)
Context: Sherwood tempered enthusiasm for Spurs’ £56m signing Mohammed Kudus, saying he’s “good but never going to be outstanding,” but he’s bullish on Simons causing chaos. He also noted Tottenham’s recent form (unbeaten in three) gives them confidence, predicting the first goal will be “huge” in a high-stakes clash.
His Takeaway: Spurs need heroes like Simons to turn underdog status into an upset.
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