Recap

Arsenal Crush Tottenham 4-1 in North London Derby Thriller: Eze and Gyökeres Shine as Gunners Reclaim Title Lead

In a dominant display at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal secured a resounding 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the fiercely contested North London Derby on February 22, 2026. Eberechi Eze’s brace and Viktor Gyökeres’ two goals propelled Mikel Arteta’s side to restore their five-point lead at the Premier League summit, silencing doubters after recent dropped points.

Pre-Match Context: Pressure on Arsenal, Turmoil at Spurs

Arsenal entered the match under scrutiny following consecutive draws against Brentford and Wolves, which had narrowed their lead at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta’s team, sitting on 61 points from 28 games (18 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses, +35 goal difference), faced questions about their title credentials but responded emphatically against their fiercest rivals.

For Tottenham, the game marked the first under interim head coach Igor Tudor, following a turbulent period that left the Spurs languishing in 16th place with 29 points from 27 games (7 wins, 8 draws, 12 losses). Just four points above the relegation zone, Tottenham desperately needed a result to spark life into their faltering campaign.

The atmosphere was electric from kickoff, with the white-hot derby intensity evident as both sets of fans packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arsenal, however, showed composure and clinical finishing, while Spurs’ defensive frailties were exposed time and again.

First Half: Eze Breaks the Deadlock, Kolo Muani Sparks Brief Hope

The opening 30 minutes saw Arsenal dictate the tempo, probing Tottenham’s backline with patient build-up play. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Eberechi Eze, the former Crystal Palace playmaker once linked with a move to Spurs, slotted home to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead. His cool finish in a cauldron of noise marked his first goal against Tottenham this season and set the tone for Arsenal’s dominance.

Tottenham refused to crumble. Just 123 seconds later, in the 34th minute, Randal Kolo Muani leveled the score with a fine solo effort. Dispossessing Arsenal’s Declan Rice in midfield, the forward drove forward and fired past David Raya, marking the first goal of Tudor’s tenure and igniting wild celebrations among the home fans. This rapid response, just two minutes after conceding, hinted at a potential Spurs comeback.

The half saw further tension, with events around the 27th, 35th minutes noted in timelines, likely yellow cards or key tackles, maintaining the derby edge. At halftime, the score stood at 1-1, but Arsenal’s superior possession and chances suggested they held the upper hand.

Second Half Explosion: Arsenal’s Ruthless Efficiency Seals the Win

If the first half was balanced, the second belonged entirely to Arsenal. Barely two minutes after the restart, in the 47th minute, Viktor Gyökeres curled a stunning strike from 20 yards into the top corner, restoring Arsenal’s lead at 2-1. The Swedish striker’s first-time effort, described as a “real striker’s goal,” took the sting out of any Tottenham momentum and shifted the game’s momentum decisively.

Tottenham pushed forward, but Arsenal’s defense held firm. Around the 57th minute, substitutions and tactical shifts occurred, with Arsenal maintaining control. Eze struck again just after the hour mark, in the 61st minute, punishing slack Spurs defending to make it 3-1. This was Eze’s fifth goal against Tottenham in his career, underlining his derby prowess and haunting his almost-club once more.

The game wasn’t without incident for Tottenham. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was involved in a bizarre moment with a diving header, while Leandro Trosard’s involvement and defensive lapses from Van de Ven were highlighted in highlights. Spurs managed only three shots, all from outside the box, underscoring their struggle to create clear chances.

As the clock ticked down, Arsenal added gloss to the scoreline. In stoppage time, at 90+4 minutes, Gyökeres netted his second, tapping home after a move involving substitutes, sealing the 4-1 final score. Pape Matar Sarr’s late shot was saved by Raya in the 90+8th minute, but it was too little, too late.

Key Player Performances: Eze and Gyökeres Steal the Show

Eberechi Eze was the undisputed man of the match, his brace (32′ and 61′) proving decisive. Analysts like Craig Burley praised his “special ingredient” that even outshines Martin Ødegaard, with Eze now on a hot streak after a previous drought. His goals against Tottenham—five in total—cement his status as a derby specialist.

Viktor Gyökeres complemented Eze perfectly, scoring twice (47′ and 90+4′) with a mix of finesse and poise. His early second-half curler and late finisher gave Arsenal breathing room and bragging rights.

For Tottenham, Randal Kolo Muani shone briefly with his equalizer, a moment of individual brilliance in an otherwise tough afternoon. However, the team’s defensive errors, particularly from the backline including Van de Ven, were costly.

Arsenal’s David Raya made crucial saves, including one from Sarr late on, while Mikel Arteta’s side showed grit post their recent “ashamed” performance at Wolves.

Post-Match Reactions: Arteta’s Relief, Tudor’s Sobering Start

Mikel Arteta hailed his team’s response, saying they “showed what we’re made of” after feeling “ashamed” from prior results. The win, Arsenal’s first such margin in a derby since the 1980s, sent a clear message to title rivals like Manchester City (56 points).

At Tottenham, Igor Tudor’s reign began with defeat, leaving Spurs perilously close to relegation. The official Spurs report acknowledged Arsenal’s second-half initiative, with Gyökeres’ early strike proving pivotal.

League Implications: Arsenal Surge Ahead, Spurs Teeter

Arsenal’s victory catapults them five points clear at the top, with 61 points, ahead of Manchester City on 56. Teams like Aston Villa (51), Chelsea, and Manchester United (45 each) trail, while Liverpool sit on 45.

Tottenham remain 16th on 29 points, four off the drop zone, highlighting the urgency for Tudor to turn things around.

Match Timeline: Key Events at a Glance

• 32′: Eberechi Eze opens scoring for Arsenal (0-1).
• 34′: Randal Kolo Muani equalizes for Spurs (1-1).
• 47′: Viktor Gyökeres curls in Arsenal’s second (1-2).
• 61′: Eze doubles his tally (1-3).
• 90+4′: Gyökeres seals it (1-4).
• Other notes: Substitutions at 57′, 62′, 68′, 76′, 77′, 82′; Late save by Raya (90+8′).

This derby win not only boosts Arsenal’s title charge but also amplifies the pressure on Tottenham amid their struggles. Eze and Gyökeres’ heroics will be replayed endlessly, as the Gunners roar back to the summit with authority.