Key Points
- Arsenal defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in the Premier League north London derby on 22 February 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, reclaiming a five-point lead at the top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches.
- Eberechi Eze scored twice (32nd and 61st minutes), marking his fifth goal against Tottenham this season and haunting his former suitors.
- Viktor Gyökeres netted a brace (47th and stoppage time), with a curled strike and a late finish to seal the win.
- Randal Kolo Muani equalised for Tottenham in the 34th minute (123 seconds after Arsenal’s opener), his first Premier League goal after 19 appearances, but a second was disallowed for a foul on Gabriel Magalhães.
- The match was interim Tottenham manager Igor Tudor’s first game in charge; Spurs remain 16th with 29 points, four points above relegation.
- Arsenal responded to recent draws against Brentford and Wolves, silencing title doubts after Manchester City cut their lead to two points.
- Possession: Tottenham 40%, Arsenal 60%; xG: Tottenham 0.76, Arsenal 2.07; Shots: 6-20.
- Key assists: Bukayo Saka for Eze’s opener; Jurriën Timber for Gyökeres’ first; loose ball for Eze’s second.
- Delays due to fourth official tech issues and a blue pyrotechnic in stoppage time.
- Tottenham fans created a hostile atmosphere but witnessed only their third home league win this season.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (North London News), February 23 2026 – Arsenal delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the fiercely contested north London derby, restoring their five-point lead atop the Premier League standings and underscoring their title credentials amid recent scrutiny.
- Key Points
- What Were the Key Match Events?
- Who Scored the Goals and How?
- How Did Arsenal Reclaim Their Lead?
- What Did Igor Tudor Say After His Debut?
- What Are the Premier League Standings Implications?
- Who Stood Out in Player Performances?
- What Is the North London Derby History Context?
- Why Does This Boost Arsenal’s Title Bid?
Arsenal’s dominance was evident from the outset in matchday 27 of the 2025-26 season, with Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres starring in the rout. Tottenham, under new interim boss Igor Tudor, briefly levelled but crumbled after the break, remaining mired in 16th place.
What Were the Key Match Events?
The game ignited in a cauldron of noise at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where home fans booed every Arsenal touch despite only two prior Premier League home wins this season.
As detailed in ESPN’s game analysis, Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Bukayo Saka bundled into the box after Pape Matar Sarr’s foul and picked out Eze, who lashed home to silence the crowd. Just 123 seconds later, Declan Rice was dispossessed by Randal Kolo Muani, who rifled past David Raya for 1-1, his maiden Premier League strike.
Half-time arrived level, but Arsenal struck immediately post-interval. Jurriën Timber found Gyökeres, who curled superbly into the corner from 20 yards in the 47th minute. Tottenham thought they equalised again via Kolo Muani, but VAR ruled it out for a push on Gabriel Magalhães.
Before Tudor could introduce Dominic Solanke, Eze intercepted a Radu Drăgușin header in the 61st minute, surged forward, and rolled home the third off João Palhinha. Gyökeres sealed it in stoppage time, holding off Archie Gray after a blue pyrotechnic delayed play.
Who Scored the Goals and How?
Eberechi Eze’s brace proved decisive, his opener an acrobatic finish from Saka’s cross and second punishing slack defending. As reported by Outlook India, Eze continued his derby demon status against Tottenham, who once eyed his signature.
Viktor Gyökeres dazzled with a curled wondergoal and late poacher’s finish, earning praise in CBS Sports Golazo coverage for restoring Arsenal’s tilt on track.
Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser was a low drive after Rice’s error, but his second fell to VAR.
How Did Arsenal Reclaim Their Lead?
Arsenal entered under pressure after draws at Brentford and Wolves trimmed their advantage to two points behind Manchester City. Reuters noted the Gunners’ emphatic response, easing jitters with dominance (60% possession, 20 shots).
Post-match, Mikel Arteta emphasised intensity:
“We emphasized the importance of asserting ourselves, starting with intensity in the duels,”
as quoted by NBC Sports. On control, he added:
“We controlled every aspect… produced two fantastic goals,”
per Football London.
The win lifted Arsenal to 61 points from 28 games, five clear of City (56 from 27).
What Did Igor Tudor Say After His Debut?
Igor Tudor’s first match as Spurs interim ended in sobering fashion, with Tottenham four points above relegation.
As reported by NBC Sports, Tudor stated:
“I’m sad because it wasn’t good enough. Arsenal wasn’t much better. In this moment there’s too much gap between the team.”
He urged:
“It’s all about work, start to work hard because we struggled in a lot of things. Psychologically, we need to come out of this, stay quiet, stay humble.”
In a YouTube post-match by Football Reaction, Tudor called it a
“difficult game… bad result… better team beat us,”
critiquing habits:
“You don’t arrive to take the ball because the opponent is faster and you have bad habits.”
On refs: “Sometimes this side, sometimes that side.”
What Are the Premier League Standings Implications?
Arsenal’s victory reasserted supremacy, with standings per ESPN: Arsenal 1st (61 pts, +35 GD), Man City 2nd (56, +31), Aston Villa 3rd (51, +10), Tottenham 16th (29, -4).
FotMob highlighted Arsenal’s xG edge (2.07-0.76), dismantling Spurs post-back-to-back draws. Tottenham lurk near trouble despite recent bottom-table results favouring them.
Who Stood Out in Player Performances?
Eze and Gyökeres shone for Arsenal, per Goal.com ratings. Defenders like Timber assisted key goals.
For Spurs, Kolo Muani flickered but defence faltered; Van de Ven available but Romero suspended. Substitutes Solanke and Richarlison entered late, Richarlison denied by Raya.
What Is the North London Derby History Context?
This 199th derby saw Arsenal claim bragging rights again, evoking past classics like Tottenham’s 5-1 in 2008 League Cup. Eze, ex-Crystal Palace, now torments Spurs twice this season.
Tudor’s task mirrors Spurs’ struggles, with fans’ passion unyielding despite woes.
Why Does This Boost Arsenal’s Title Bid?
The rout answered critics, per MyKhel: Arsenal thrashed Spurs under Tudor, Eze and Gyökeres doubling up. Arteta’s principles: “Secure a second and third goal… dominate,” he told Football London.
With City looming, this five-point buffer (over Villa too) positions Arsenal strongly into March 2026 fixtures.
Arsenal’s clinical edge and Spurs’ frailties defined a derby of stark contrasts, leaving North London red once more.
