Watch reaction as Arsenal beat rivals Tottenham 4-1
Gunners restore five-point gap at top of Premier League
Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both score two for Mikel Arteta's side
Randal Kolo Muani netted for Spurs in Igor Tudor's first match in charge
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
That is all for this live page on a great day for Arsenal as they get back to winning ways on a painful afternoon for Tottenham and new boss Igor Tudor.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports on his side's response today: "That's football. When you watch the game back against Wolves, how the hell do you drop two points there, nobody can explain it but this is the beauty of it. It looks like it's the end of the world and then you look at your players and how they react and how much they want it and I said it, I feel very, very privileged to work with them every day. I knew they were going to react. In football you can win draw or lose but the attitude we showed today, the desire, the dominance, it was really impressive, so I'm happy."
On when he realised his team would respond like this: "Immediately after that [result against Wolves] because I saw their reaction and what it means. When it's a job you don't react like this, when it's your passion and you love the game that's something else, it hurts you in a different way and I know what it means to them and how much they want it. And we're certainly going to try our best.
"We said at half-time, we carry on playing, and talk about the attitude. What Declan [Rice] has done today, He made an error, the way he played afterwards, that's attitude, and to have personality, and courage and to stand up in a difficult moment."
On whether it was Viktor Gyokeres' best performance for Arsenal: "I think so. I think his overall play was incredible, the efficiency, the goals that he scored. He was really, really good today."
On the decision to start Eberechi Eze: "One of them because the recent past against them he was really positive. I made some decisions and I changed him at half-time [against Brentford] and you see how people react and when they have a point to prove. I know we are understanding how Ebs needs to perform at the level that he can."
On the title race: "One at a time. It's going to be a long one because we have the cup games on top of that and Champions League, so it's going to be a long marathon for all of us, but let's enjoy it."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesEberechi Eze was Tottenham Hotspur's tormentor again as Arsenal made a title statement of intent by restoring their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points with victory in the north London derby.
The pressure was on Arsenal after they lost a two-goal lead at relegation certainties Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, while Manchester City closed the gap with victory over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Spurs had high hopes of turning up the heat further in interim manager Igor Tudor's first game in charge, but Arsenal simply possessed too much class and threat for their struggling arch-rivals.
And Eze, who scored a hat-trick in Arsenal's 4-1 derby win in November, was The Gunners' spearhead again with goals either side of the interval.
Eze, who was on the point of joining Spurs when Arsenal clinched a £60m deal with Crystal Palace in August, put Arsenal in front from close-range after 32 minutes.
Randal Kolo Muani produced a fine solo effort for Spurs' equaliser two minutes later, only for the much-maligned Viktor Gyokores to restore Arsenal's advantage with a clinical 20-yard finish with his right foot just after half-time.
Unlike at Wolves, where Arsenal sat on their lead with catastrophic results, Mikel Arteta's pace-setters continued to press, adding the third after 61 minutes when Eze picked up a loose ball in the area to sweep a finish past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Spurs had no answer as Arsenal remained in control, Gyokores outmuscling Archie Gray to score his second in the closing moments of stoppage time to seal an emphatic win.
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
More from Tottenham boss Igor Tudor, speaking to Sky Sports: "You play home, so you cannot stay in your box all the time, so you prepare but you do not take the ball so you have to run back.
We struggled to find the right system, right way to play because you want to be offensive, but in this moment you always have to think about the players you have behind because there are not players available. It was not easy, of course I didn't like, but maybe it's better show show in the start to understand what we need to do.
"I know the truth. Now I saw the truth, so it's nice. It is what it is."
On whether he's still confident Tottenham won't get relegated: "Of course I'm confident because I believe these are good players with bad habits. They are good players, nobody can tell me they don't have quality. We need to change [a] mental switch and have this mental sharpness to be in the game in the first to second minutes.
"This is probably the best team in the world, so it's not the best start so we will see next Sunday."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham interim boss Igor Tudor, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was a difficult game, bad result. Difficult team, they beat us. It was a lesson. We start to work on Tuesday, harder than before.
"Work from all points of view with the quality of the football. It's a big job to do.
On if he's confident Spurs will stay up: "Of course I am."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Robbie Savage
Forest Green Rovers manager on BBC Radio 5 Live
Arsenal bounced back today and that is why they have celebrated like they did.
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Danny Murphy
Match of the Day pundit
The title race is still on massively for both. It's in both [Arsenal and Manchester City] their hands, that's unusual. Normally it's in one team's hands and you are just waiting for them to slip up.
I have been very much in the Arsenal camp in terms of my eyes telling me they are the best team. The last couple of results has given Man City that little bit of hope. They have a lot of players in the squad who have been there and done it.
Speaking from experience, when you have got over the line the next couple feel easier. Every time Arsenal go on the pitch the pressure is on at the minute. It's great for us and I hope it goes to the wire. I don't see any winning all games from now until the end of the season.
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Outstanding. I think you have to bring context to the situation and this is the beauty of football.
"You go to Wolves and you drop two points in the last kick of the match. Watching it back, there is no understanding from my perception how the hell that happened.
"It feels like the end of the world. But then you have another opportunity and that is the beauty of it. In a difficult stadium against our rivals and seeing how much it means to us in the league and all our supporters.
"We lift everyone up immediately. Now we have to show what we are made of. That is about attitude and how you respond to a difficult moment.
"You can have a look and understand and is this going to define our season or this is an opportunity to turn it around."
On Eberechi Eze: "Unbelievable. The manner he has played. He was absolutely brilliant. We needed big performances individually, and they have all done it."
On Viktor Gyokeres: "For me, the best, the most complete and especially when we need him most and that is when big players and big clubs have to stand up when you are needed."
On title race: "This chapter we wanted to write it. We have managed today."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm sad because it was not good enough. Arsenal was much better. At this moment there is too much gap between the two teams. It's good to show and to see this kind of team the start to show us where we need to be. It's about work, to start to work hard because we struggle in a lot of things for sure.
"Physiologically, we need to come out from this moment, only way is work, stay quiet stay humble, stay where we are now and look at the future. Growing day by day, week by week. Too strong for us at this moment.
"Too much bad habits in the past, each part of the team we need to look at ourselves, grow, be humble. We need to run more, we need to play better, we need to defend better, we need to win duels, second duels. second balls.
"We prepared these four, five days but they were faster, even I can say that the players showed the passion, they wanted to run, but we pressed high. They are stronger they have more power, more energy. They believe more, that is the key in the end is they believe more. And that's it, so take the lessons."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Arsenal goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres, speaking to Sky Sports on whether it was his best performance at the club: "In some aspects I think it was a good one. In some others I think it could've done a few bits better. It was a tough game. I think we showed much better things on the pitch today."
On scoring his first goal after half-time: "I think we do that a few times in training and then I watched his goal against these last game. I tried to replicate that a little bit and it worked, so it's a nice goal."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Danny Murphy
Match of the Day pundit
Image source, Getty ImagesI don't think Spurs will go down. I think they have enough. If you keep losing games and confidence drops, it doesn't matter how many good players you have, it gets hard.
I would be really surprised if they weren't able to fight their way out of it. The games coming up are all huge. I think they will have just enough.
The fact we are mentioning Spurs going down is unbelievable. It's absolutely ridiculous really. Whether you blame recruitment or the owners, it would be catastrophic for that club. I have heard some fans suggest going down could be the best thing. I just don't see that.
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
On Igor Tudor's BBC Radio 5 Live interview...
Where do you start with that? Absolutely astonishing. If you're Thomas Frank and listening to that, the interview is damning. You can get 11 Tottenham fans out of a pub who have the spirit. This is from a guy who said he is 100% certain that Tottenham would stay up.
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham interim manager Igor Tudor, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Difficult start against a team who is now in this moment.
"A different level of physical state of mind, so congratulations to them. They were much better and they deserve this win. I got the spirit which we wanted to do things, but it was not enough. It is nice to understand where we are in this moment.
"It showed me on Tuesday that we need to work hard and work hard and seriously.
"Now in this moment, the team is full of problems. The only key is to work on the training day by day and be humble. We need to be more aggressive - we need to be more compact. These are the keys.
"You understand the gap with the mental sharpness of one team and other teams. This is a thing we need to change. I saw players available to do this, but we need more time to do this.
"Thinking about relegation doesn't bring you anything to anybody."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was a very good performance. We started really well, created some good chances from the beginning. We took the lead and it was disappointing to concede straight away, but we kept going and created chances in the second half. We took them as well.
"We felt we were in the game in a good way. We wanted to start again and create more chances. We went that way and performed really well in the second half."
On his performance: "It was good. I could have done a few things better, but it was enjoyable for me. When I'm involved like I was today, it helps my game."
On his second goal: "It's good when you get in that position. I got a good first touch and struck it well."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has scored more goals in 2026 across all competitions than any other Premier League player, with eight of his 15 total goals for the Gunners coming this calendar year.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Danny Murphy
Match of the Day pundit
Some of Tottenham's defending was reactive, which is better than nothing, but they were getting there late so the distances were big.
It's never easy tactically to stop a good team like Arsenal because everyone has to be perfect all the time. When Arsenal had moments to show their quality in the areas where Spurs were weak, they did. They just looked back to where we have seen them be this season.
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No doubt about it, Tottenham have overspent on the stadium and under spent on the team. The blame is all on the owners, always absent when things go wrong.
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FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Sport: "Really happy, really proud about how we approached the game. The initiative and the quality we showed to come here and win the game in the way that we did.
"That is the beauty of football. When you look back at the game against Wolves, how did we draw that game from there? I was out with them every day and I know how much they want it."
On Viktor Gyokeres: "He was outstanding today, I thought. There have been glimmers of it every week but today, I thought he was fantastic."
On Eberechi Eze: "He had that belief and I'm really happy with him. He's really trying to mold and adapt into what we want from him.
"This is the Premier League, it will go all the way for sure. Ten games in the Premier League is a long way."
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Only Robert Pires (seven in 11 appearances) and Emmanuel Adebayor (six in seven) have scored more Premier League goals for Arsenal in North London derbies than Eberechi Eze (five in two).
FT: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal
Danny Murphy
Match of the Day pundit
Some Arsenal fans are split [on Viktor Gyokeres], some backing him and some saying he is not the one. That performance today is going to change a few minds.
As a player it doesn't matter how much success you have had or what you have done before before, if you had a bad spell or you know people are doubting you it creeps in. Today can only do good things for him. Physically it looked like he was enjoying it. He will be walking on water now.
He has got competition for places, but after that performance it's easy for Arteta. I think we could see him go on a good little run now.
Image source, Getty ImagesAt a glance
Eberechi Eze puts Arsenal ahead from close range
Randal Kolo Muani levels in interim Spurs manager Igor Tudor's first game in charge
Viktor Gyokeres restores Arsenal's lead with a spectacular 20-yard finish two minutes after half-time
Eze pounces in the penalty area for his second goal
Gyokeres gives the scoreline an even more emphatic look with his second in stoppage time
Eberechi Eze was Tottenham Hotspur's tormentor again as Arsenal made a title statement of intent by restoring their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points with victory in the north London derby.
The pressure was on the Gunners after they lost a two-goal lead at relegation certainties Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, while Manchester City closed the gap with victory over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Spurs had high hopes of turning up the heat further in interim manager Igor Tudor's first game in charge, but Arsenal simply possessed too much class and threat for their struggling arch-rivals.
And Eze, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 north London derby win in November, was his side's spearhead again with goals either side of the interval.
Eze, who was on the point of joining Spurs when Arsenal clinched a £60m deal with Crystal Palace in August, put Arsenal in front from close-range after 32 minutes.
Randal Kolo Muani produced a fine solo effort for Spurs' equaliser two minutes later, only for the much-maligned Viktor Gyokeres to restore Arsenal's advantage with a clinical 20-yard finish with his right foot just after half-time.
Unlike at Wolves, where Arsenal sat on their lead with catastrophic results, Mikel Arteta's pace-setters continued to press, adding the third after 61 minutes when Eze picked up a loose ball in the area to sweep a finish past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Spurs had no answer as Arsenal remained in control, Gyokeres outmuscling Archie Gray to score his second in the closing moments of stoppage time to seal an emphatic win.
Arsenal pass derby test of nerve as title race looks set to go to wire
Eze 'wanted to prove something' as he torments Spurs again
'Who's going to get this fine?' - Arteta on derby technology delays
Eberechi Eze celebrates with Piero Hincapie after putting Arsenal ahead at Spurs
Eze's Arsenal career had gone into something of a dip since he made himself a hero with that treble against Spurs in December – but what a time for the 27-year-old England forward to bounce back to his best.
Since that hat-trick, Eze had featured in all 15 of Arsenal's subsequent league games, but had made only four starts and played 360 minutes before this derby.
And, under the watchful eye of England head coach Thomas Tuchel, he delivered a reminder of his quality with perfect timing, just when Arsenal needed it most.
The pressure was on the Gunners after that Molineux slip, with Manchester City scenting blood and Arsenal's nerve under pressure being questioned once more.
The fact that the examination came at Spurs who, despite their struggles, had new manager Tudor on the sidelines, made the assignment potentially more hazardous.
Arsenal were set back when Spurs equalised, but this was a calm and highly-competent display which will be even more pleasing for Arteta with Gyokeres, who has had his critics, adding two fine finishes of his own.
Gyokeres performance 'incredible' - Arteta
Tudor's plain speaking made it clear he was under no illusions about the job in front of him after succeeding sacked Thomas Frank to take charge of Spurs until the end of the season.
And if any illusions remained, they were banished by the ease with which Spurs were swept aside by Arsenal.
Kolo Muani's bustling equaliser offered some hope, but once his side fell behind early in the second half, the game was effectively over as a contest.
The home side never lacked endeavour, but this depleted squad was no match for Arsenal, the gulf in class between the teams brutally exposed.
Tudor returns to the training ground with a genuine relegation fight on his hands as Spurs now lie 16th, four points above the bottom three.
This was a painful introduction for the Croatian and, on this evidence, there may be more pain to come before matters improve, as they will have to do.
Arsenal's next game is at home to Chelsea on Sunday, 1 March, (16:30 GMT), while Spurs travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on the same day (14:00).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 56 | 21 | 35 | 61 |
| |
| 27 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 56 | 25 | 31 | 56 |
| |
| 27 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 38 | 28 | 10 | 51 |
| |
| 27 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 48 | 31 | 17 | 45 |
| |
| 26 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 47 | 37 | 10 | 45 |
| |
| 27 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 42 | 35 | 7 | 45 |
| |
| 27 | 12 | 4 | 11 | 40 | 37 | 3 | 40 |
| |
| 27 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 43 | 45 | -2 | 38 |
| |
| 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 29 | 30 | -1 | 37 |
| |
| 27 | 11 | 4 | 12 | 38 | 41 | -3 | 37 |
| |
| 27 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 38 | 39 | -1 | 36 |
| |
| 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 28 | 33 | -5 | 36 |
| |
| 27 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 29 | 32 | -3 | 35 |
| |
| 27 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 36 | 34 | 2 | 34 |
| |
| 27 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 31 |
| |
| 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 29 |
| |
| 27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 25 | 39 | -14 | 27 |
| |
| 27 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 49 | -17 | 25 |
| |
| 27 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 29 | 52 | -23 | 19 |
| |
| 28 | 1 | 7 | 20 | 18 | 51 | -33 | 10 |
|
Manager: Igor Tudor
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Igor Tudor
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Arsenal |
2' | Arsenal |
3' | Arsenal |
4' | Arsenal |
5' | Arsenal |
6' | Arsenal |
7' | Arsenal |
8' | Arsenal |
9' | Arsenal |
10' | Arsenal |
11' | Arsenal |
12' | Arsenal |
13' | Tottenham Hotspur |
14' | Tottenham Hotspur |
15' | Tottenham Hotspur |
16' | Arsenal |
17' | Arsenal |
18' | Arsenal |
19' | Arsenal |
20' | Arsenal |
21' | Tottenham Hotspur |
22' | Tottenham Hotspur |
23' | Tottenham Hotspur |
24' | Tottenham Hotspur |
25' | Tottenham Hotspur |
26' | Arsenal |
27' | Tottenham Hotspur |
28' | Tottenham Hotspur |
29' | Arsenal |
30' | Arsenal |
31' | Arsenal |
32' | ArsenalGoal |
33' | Arsenal |
34' | Tottenham HotspurGoal |
35' | Tottenham Hotspur |
36' | Arsenal |
37' | Arsenal |
38' | Arsenal |
39' | Arsenal |
40' | Arsenal |
41' | Arsenal |
42' | Arsenal |
43' | Arsenal |
44' | Arsenal |
45' | Arsenal |
45'+1 | Arsenal |
45'+2 | Arsenal |
45'+3 | Arsenal |
45'+4 | Arsenal |
45'+5 | Arsenal |
45'+6 | Arsenal |
45'+7 | Arsenal |
45'+8 | Arsenal |
Half time 45'+9 | Arsenal |
46' | Tottenham Hotspur |
47' | ArsenalGoal |
48' | Arsenal |
49' | Arsenal |
50' | Tottenham Hotspur |
51' | Arsenal |
52' | Arsenal |
53' | Tottenham Hotspur |
54' | Arsenal |
55' | Arsenal |
56' | Arsenal |
57' | Arsenal |
58' | Arsenal |
59' | Arsenal |
60' | Arsenal |
61' | ArsenalGoal |
62' | Arsenal |
63' | Arsenal |
64' | Arsenal |
65' | Arsenal |
66' | Arsenal |
67' | Arsenal |
68' | Arsenal |
69' | Arsenal |
70' | Arsenal |
71' | Arsenal |
72' | Arsenal |
73' | Arsenal |
74' | Arsenal |
75' | Arsenal |
76' | Arsenal |
77' | Arsenal |
78' | Arsenal |
79' | Arsenal |
80' | Arsenal |
81' | Arsenal |
82' | Arsenal |
83' | Arsenal |
84' | Tottenham Hotspur |
85' | Tottenham Hotspur |
86' | Tottenham Hotspur |
87' | Arsenal |
88' | Arsenal |
89' | Arsenal |
90' | Arsenal |
90'+1 | Tottenham Hotspur |
90'+2 | Tottenham Hotspur |
90'+3 | Tottenham Hotspur |
90'+4 | ArsenalGoal |
90'+5 | Arsenal |
90'+6 | Tottenham Hotspur |
90'+7 | Arsenal |
Full time 90'+8 | Arsenal |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Spurs have lost their last three Premier League home games against Arsenal, as many as they had in their previous 23 (W10 D10). They last lost four in a row against them between 1952 and 1955.
Arsenal have won six of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs (D1), including each of the last four. They last won five league games in a row against them between January 1987 and January 1989.
Tottenham are winless in their last eight Premier League games (D4 L4). They last had a longer run within the same campaign between August and November 2007 (9).
Tottenham are the only side without a Premier League win so far in 2026, drawing four and losing four of their eight games. It’s their longest run without a win from the start of a calendar year since 1994 (first 10).
Since their last league defeat against Spurs in May 2022, Arsenal have lost just one of their 21 away London derby matches in the Premier League (W14 D6), going down 2-1 at Fulham in December 2023.
Tottenham Hotspur have scored more Premier League goals via defenders both overall (10) and as a percentage of their total goals (28%) than any other side this season.
This will be Igor Tudor’s first match as Spurs manager. The only manager whose first ever game in charge of Tottenham was in a match against Arsenal is Glenn Hoddle, who lost 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April 2001.
New Spurs manager Igor Tudor has won his first match in charge in each of his last five spells at a club, starting with his second spell at Hajduk Split in February 2020 (and with Verona, Marseille, Lazio and Juventus since).
Eberechi Eze has scored six goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Spurs (including three in two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), netting a hat-trick in his first appearance against them for Arsenal in November’s reverse fixture.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has won 41 of his 68 Premier League London derbies as manager, the best win rate (60.3%) of anyone to take charge of at least 20. Overall, only Arsène Wenger (106 from 194 games) and José Mourinho (42/70) have won more London derbies than the Spaniard.
