Arsenal Vs Tottenham — arsenal vs tottenham week offers pause as Rafael Leao links intensify
Arsenal have a week to regroup after the north London derby, with the fixture labelled arsenal vs tottenham giving Mikel Arteta's side a brief respite as transfer work on Rafael Leao intensifies ahead of the 2026 summer window. The pause matters because it comes while Arsenal hold a narrow lead in the Premier League title race and are juggling multiple competitions and transfer targets.
Arsenal Vs Tottenham weekend, schedule strain and immediate fixtures
The club will use a week-long break following Sunday afternoon's north London derby against Tottenham to recover from an exhausting winter run that has seen matches every three or four days. Arsenal still hold a narrow lead in the Premier League title race and will prepare for a London derby against Chelsea on Sunday, March 1 at the Emirates Stadium — a repeat of the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg earlier this month, which Arsenal won 1-0. March also brings a trip to Brighton, an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Mansfield Town, Champions League last-16 ties and a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
Rafael Leao talks and Arsenal's stepped-up pursuit
Initial discussions have taken place between Arsenal and Rafael Leao's representatives as the club eyes a potential summer move for the AC Milan forward. The Portugal international, aged 26, has been on Arsenal's radar for several years and Mikel Arteta's side have stepped up their pursuit ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window.
Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has held face-to-face talks with Leao's representatives. Leao himself has not yet discussed a potential Arsenal switch directly, but he has instructed his camp to engage in negotiations over a summer deal. Milan would entertain a sale if they receive a suitable offer and are prepared to sanction a fee in the region of €75–80 million.
Contract picture at Milan and competing commitments
Ben Knapton, in an item dated 22 Feb 2026 07: 22, highlighted that Leao may be edging closer to signing a new deal at AC Milan. Renewal talks are said to have ramped up after negotiations began a couple of months ago; Leao has reportedly sent a "clear and precise" message to the Milan board about an extension. There is no huge rush to finalise terms because Leao is not due to become a free agent until 2028, and Milan are determined to strengthen their bond with the Portugal international. All parties are evaluating the structure of a new contract that could be agreed in the coming months.
On the field this season Leao has registered 11 goal contributions in 20 matches and, in a separate season tally, is credited with eight strikes in 18 Serie A games. Across all tournaments since his move from Lille in 2019 — a transfer for £43. 3m — he has contributed 79 goals and 64 assists in 280 appearances for Milan.
Arsenal squad needs, player form and targets beyond Leao
The Gunners did not sign an out-and-out left-winger in the most recent summer window, leaving left-side minutes split between Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard as Arteta's preferred options this season. Eberechi Eze has struggled to adapt to Arteta's demands, whether played out wide or centrally. Martinelli has managed 10 goals in cup competitions, including six in the Champions League, but has found the net only once in the Premier League and was judged wanting in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Both Martinelli and Trossard could leave as free agents in 2027; Martinelli's current deal includes a 12-month extension option. That uncertainty has left the club searching for a left-wing upgrade and other attacking alternatives.
Wider transfer picture: competition and alternative targets
Arsenal are considered frontrunners for Leao's signature while Manchester United are also strongly interested. Milan will consider a sale for a suitable fee in the €75–80 million region, and Leao has been earmarked as a primary attacking target as Arsenal look to bolster their ranks ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.
Other names linked with Arsenal's plans include Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito and a potential renewed pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. Additional attacking options mentioned as possibilities are Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon and Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola. Separately, Bayer Leverkusen's Malik Tillman, 23, who completed a £35m transfer from PSV last summer, has voiced that he would love to play for Arsenal, praising the coach, system and how he believes he would fit in.
Fixture context and the North London derby
With Arsenal set to take on Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's mouthwatering Premier League North London derby, the short break around the arsenal vs tottenham fixture gives the squad time to address form and fitness even as transfer conversations continue behind the scenes.
