Arsenal asserted their dominance in north London on Sunday, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in a compelling Premier League derby.
The emphatic victory saw Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres each score twice, consolidating the Gunners’ lead at the top of the table with just ten games remaining.
Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace last summer, opened the scoring in the first half, continuing his remarkable record against Spurs.
His strike was momentarily cancelled out by Randal Kolo Muani, giving Tottenham fleeting hope and a brief spark of optimism for their new manager, Igor Tudor, in his first league outing.
The second half belonged to Arsenal.
Gyökeres struck twice first minutes after the restart to retake the lead, and later in stoppage time to secure a commanding win and send a warning to title rivals Manchester City, who had narrowed the gap at the summit with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
Commentators highlighted the psychological importance of the win.
Mark Ogden noted that Arsenal displayed “resilience and focus,” bouncing back from recent draws against Brentford and Wolves. James Olley added.
“The Gunners maintained composure, exploited their superiority, and finally translated dominance into a clear scoreline, silencing critics who questioned their nerve in decisive matches.”
For Spurs, the loss is another blow in a challenging season.
With just four points above the relegation zone, the north London side faces a tough fight for survival. Olley warned, “Tudor has the job cut out for him.
A combination of limited squad depth and ongoing goal-scoring struggles leaves Tottenham vulnerable as the season enters its final stages.”
Eze’s performance underscored Tottenham’s transfer misstep last summer.
After rejecting a £60 million move to Spurs, he has now scored five goals against them this season alone, reinforcing his status as a key figure for Arsenal in high-stakes matches.
Meanwhile, Gyökeres’ contribution highlighted the attacking depth the Gunners have developed, particularly in moments when the match hung in the balance.
The derby also revealed flashes of promise under Tudor, as Spurs players showed effort and energy early on, earning tentative approval from supporters.
However, Arsenal’s tactical discipline and counterattacking efficiency ultimately proved decisive, ensuring that the visitors emerged with a comfortable margin.
Looking ahead, Spurs face a critical run of fixtures, including away matches against Fulham and Crystal Palace, which could determine their Premier League fate.
Arsenal, by contrast, will aim to sustain momentum as the title race intensifies, seeking to end their 19-year wait for a league crown.
The result reaffirmed Arsenal’s growing dominance in London, highlighted individual brilliance from key players, and intensified the drama at both ends of the Premier League table.
