Arsenal Extend Premier League Lead with Crushing North London Derby Victory
London, 22 February 2026
Arsenal demolished Tottenham 4-1 at their home ground, with new signings Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze each scoring twice to send the Gunners five points clear at the Premier League summit. The victory marks Arsenal’s fourth consecutive win at Tottenham’s stadium and completes their first league double over Spurs in back-to-back seasons since the late 1980s. Eze’s remarkable form against Tottenham continued, having now scored five goals against them this season alone. Meanwhile, the defeat leaves Tottenham manager Igor Tudor facing a relegation battle, with Spurs languishing just four points above the drop zone.
New Signings Shine in Derby Demolition
The match showcased Arsenal’s shrewd January transfer business, with Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze delivering match-winning performances that justified their hefty price tags [1][2]. Eze opened the scoring with an acrobatic finish from close range after 32 minutes, capitalising on a cross from Bukayo Saka [6]. However, Arsenal’s lead lasted merely two minutes before a rare error from Declan Rice gifted Tottenham an equaliser through Randal Kolo Muani [1]. The brief parity did little to dampen Arsenal’s spirits, as Gyökeres restored their advantage early in the second half with a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area [1][2]. Eze then sealed his brace near the hour mark, scoring his second goal in the 61st minute [2][3], before Gyökeres added further gloss to the scoreline with a well-taken effort in stoppage time [1][2].
Eze’s Remarkable Record Against Spurs
Eberechi Eze’s performance continued his extraordinary scoring streak against Tottenham, having now netted five goals against the North London rivals in his last two matches [2]. The forward had not found the net since his hat-trick in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium in November 2025, making his return to form perfectly timed for this crucial derby encounter [2][6]. His five goals against Spurs this season represent a remarkable achievement, with the player clearly relishing these high-pressure encounters [4][6]. Gary Neville awarded Gyökeres the player of the match accolade, though Eze’s contribution proved equally decisive in Arsenal’s comprehensive victory [3]. The Swedish striker has now accumulated 15 goals for Arsenal in 2026, with eight of those coming in the current calendar year [6].
Historical Significance of Arsenal’s Dominance
Sunday’s victory represents Arsenal’s fourth consecutive away win against Tottenham, marking their best run at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since 1955 [6]. The result also completes Arsenal’s first league double over their North London rivals in back-to-back seasons since the late 1980s, specifically the 1987/88 and 1988/89 campaigns [6]. This latest triumph equals Arsenal’s biggest away victory against Tottenham since December 1978, when they secured a 5-0 win [6]. Under Mikel Arteta’s stewardship, Arsenal has now claimed five successive North London derby victories, representing the club’s finest record in this fixture since the 1980s [4]. The 4-1 scoreline perfectly replicated the result from November’s reverse fixture, demonstrating Arsenal’s consistent superiority over their neighbours this season [2][6].
Tudor Faces Mounting Pressure as Relegation Looms
Igor Tudor’s debut as Tottenham manager ended in disappointment, with the Croatian becoming the first Spurs boss to lose his first Premier League match in charge since André Villas-Boas in August 2012 [6]. Tottenham supporters are already expressing serious concerns about relegation, with fan Nick Wayne commenting: “It’s as bad as it looks. Can’t see a way out of the drop. I remember 77, here we go again. So painful” [3]. The defeat leaves Spurs languishing just four points above the relegation zone with crucial fixtures approaching [1][8]. Tudor inherited a squad depleted by injuries to key players including Cristian Romero, who was suspended, alongside a lengthy list of injured players including James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Pedro Porro [8]. Arsenal’s victory extends their lead at the Premier League summit to five points over second-placed Manchester City, having played one additional match [2][3]. The Gunners now turn their attention to next Sunday’s home fixture against Chelsea, followed by midweek encounters with Brighton & Hove Albion and an FA Cup fifth-round tie away to Mansfield Town [6].