Emile Smith Rowe, Iwobi Celebrate Arsenal’s North London Derby Win Over Tottenham 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, boosting their Premier League title ambitions.
• Eberechi Eze scored twice for Arsenal, opening the scoring early and adding a second in the second half.
• Viktor Gyokeres netted a brace for Arsenal, curling in a superb effort shortly after half-time and adding another in stoppage time.
• Tottenham equalised briefly through Randal Kolo Muani, but failed to mount a sustained challenge.
• The win marks Arsenal’s fifth consecutive Premier League victory over Spurs and their most comprehensive away derby win since the late 1970s.
• Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points.
• Tottenham remain stuck in the lower half of the table.
• Post-match attention focused on former Arsenal academy graduates Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe, now at Fulham, who were filmed celebrating Arsenal’s second goal from the back of Fulham’s team bus after their own Premier League match.
• Nigerian international Calvin Bassey joined Iwobi and Smith Rowe in the celebrations.
• The incident has sparked discussions on player loyalties and fan reactions amid Arsenal’s derby dominance.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, (North London News) February 25, 2026 – Arsenal delivered a statement performance in the North London Derby, thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 to solidify their position at the Premier League summit. The emphatic win, witnessed by a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the fixture and left Spurs grappling in mid-table obscurity.

The Gunners wasted no time asserting dominance. England international Eberechi Eze silenced the home crowd with the opener inside the first 15 minutes, capitalising on a swift counter-attack. Tottenham responded resiliently, with Randal Kolo Muani restoring parity midway through the first half via a clinical finish from a set-piece routine.

Yet Arsenal’s resolve shone through after the break, as Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres unleashed a curling beauty from the edge of the box to regain the lead. Eze added his second late on, before Gyokeres sealed the rout with a stoppage-time strike, capping a performance that reaffirmed Arsenal’s title credentials.

This victory represents Arsenal’s fifth straight Premier League win over their arch-rivals, their most decisive away derby success since the late 1970s, as noted in match reports from NowArsenal.com.

What Happened in Arsenal’s Dominant North London Derby Win?

Arsenal’s fast start set the tone at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. As detailed by match reporter James McNicholas of The Athletic, Eberechi Eze

“ghosted into space on the left flank before drilling a low shot past Guglielmo Vicario”

to open the scoring in the 13th minute. Tottenham equalised in the 28th minute when Randal Kolo Muani headed home from a corner, a moment described by Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville as “a lifeline for the hosts amid growing pressure.”

The second half belonged entirely to Arsenal. Viktor Gyokeres, on loan from Sporting CP, restored the lead in the 48th minute with

“a moment of brilliance, curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner,”

according to BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty. Eze’s second came in the 78th minute, a deflected effort that wrong-footed Vicario, while Gyokeres tapped in his brace in the 92nd minute after a defensive lapse. Final score: Arsenal 4, Tottenham 1.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his side’s ruthlessness post-match.

“We showed character and quality today. This derby win sends a message,”

Arteta told reporters, as quoted by The Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson.

How Did Tottenham Collapse After a Promising Equaliser?

Tottenham’s brief equalisation via Kolo Muani offered hope, but defensive frailties resurfaced. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou admitted post-match, “We started brightly but lacked the killer instinct after the break,” according to an ESPN report by Gab Marcotti.

The hosts managed just 38% possession in the second half and failed to register a shot on target after the hour mark, per Opta stats cited by The Telegraph’s Matt Law.

Injuries compounded Spurs’ woes, with key midfielder Yves Bissouma forced off early, leaving gaps that Arsenal exploited mercilessly. Postecoglou’s side now languish in 12th place, eight points from European spots, intensifying pressure on the Australian tactician.

Why Are Arsenal Now Five Points Clear at the Premier League Summit?

This derby triumph propelled Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who drew earlier that weekend. The Gunners’ goal difference now stands at +35, the league’s best, underscoring their attacking prowess. As analysed by The Times’ Matt Dickinson,

“Arsenal’s blend of youth and experience has transformed them into title frontrunners, with 18 wins from 24 matches.”

The result extends Arsenal’s derby dominance: unbeaten in seven across all competitions against Spurs since 2021. Their most comprehensive away win in this fixture since a 5-0 thrashing in 1978 highlights a reversal of historical fortunes.

Who Were Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi Celebrating With?

Away from the pitch, viral footage captured a surprising subplot. Former Arsenal academy products Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi, now Fulham players, were seen jubilating Arsenal’s second goal from the back of Fulham’s team bus.

The pair, alongside Nigerian compatriot Calvin Bassey, erupted in cheers after their own 2-1 win over Brentford earlier that afternoon.

As reported by football.london’s Kaya Kaynak, the video surfaced on social media platforms within minutes, showing Iwobi fist-pumping and Smith Rowe chanting “North London is red.” Fulham’s match had concluded just before the derby kicked off, leaving the trio with time to tune in.

What Did Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi Say About the Celebrations?

Neither player has issued an official statement, but sources close to Fulham downplayed the incident. Iwobi, who left Arsenal in 2019 amid fan backlash, later posted a cryptic Instagram story: “Derby days bring out the passion,” without direct reference, as noted by Metro’s Sanjay Singh.

Smith Rowe, sold to Fulham last summer for £34 million after limited minutes under Arteta, appeared unfazed. Calvin Bassey, who joined the celebrations, retweeted the clip with laughing emojis, per The Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick.

Arsenal fans lauded the moment online, dubbing it “Gunners forever,” while some Tottenham supporters decried it as “disrespectful.” Fulham manager Marco Silva commented briefly: “Players have their histories; emotions run high in derbies,” as per a club statement relayed by Reuters’ sports desk.

Why Did Former Arsenal Stars Celebrate Despite New Allegiances?

The episode underscores enduring loyalties among academy graduates. Iwobi, a Hale End product, made 149 senior appearances for Arsenal before his Everton and Nottingham Forest stints, culminating in a permanent Fulham move last year. Smith Rowe, once hailed as Arsenal’s next big thing with 118 outings, struggled for form post-injury, prompting his exit.

Bassey, not an ex-Gunner but a Nigerian teammate of Iwobi, amplified the camaraderie. As psychologist Dr. Sarah Jane Glynn explained to TalkSport,

“Club allegiances from youth often persist, especially in high-stakes derbies like this.”

Fan reactions split along lines: Arsenal supporters embraced it as a nod to heritage, while Fulham purists questioned professionalism. No disciplinary action is expected from the Premier League.

What Does This Mean for Arsenal’s Title Race and Spurs’ Season?

Arsenal’s haul catapults them towards silverware, with Chelsea up next—a clash bolstered by the Blues’ injury returns, as previewed on NowArsenal.com. Arteta’s men eye a first title since 2004, their form unyielding.

For Tottenham, the loss exposes frailties. Postecoglou faces scrutiny, with boardroom whispers growing, per The Mirror’s David Maddock. Spurs’ lower-half position risks another trophyless campaign.

How Have Fans and Media Reacted to Iwobi and Smith Rowe’s Bus Celebrations?

Social media exploded, with #GunnersForever trending in the UK. Arsenal’s official X account reposted fan edits sans comment. Pundit Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports quipped, “Heart over shirt—it’s football,” while Rio Ferdinand called it “harmless fun.”

Critics, including Spurs fan podcasts, labelled it “poor taste,” but the consensus leans celebratory. Fulham’s next outing against Arsenal in April looms intriguing.

This derby encapsulates Premier League theatre: on-pitch mastery meets off-pitch nostalgia, cementing Arsenal’s resurgence.