Arsenal Beat Tottenham In North London Derby As Tudor Highlights Roadmap To Improvement

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Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham in the north London derby left Igor Tudor admitting the gap between the rivals. The heavy defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium kept Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League. Tottenham stayed close to the relegation battle, with pressure growing on Tudor after the first league match in charge.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both struck twice for Arsenal, who controlled long spells. Randal Kolo Muani briefly levelled for Tottenham after Eze’s first goal and later saw another finish cancelled for a foul on Gabriel Magalhaes. Tudor became the first Tottenham manager to lose a Premier League debut since Andre Villas-Boas in August 2012.

Across the 90 minutes Arsenal consistently forced Tottenham back and created far clearer chances. Arsenal produced 20 shots worth 1.9 expected goals, while Tottenham managed only six efforts with a combined 0.8 xG. Tudor’s side were second-best in most areas and rarely unsettled Mikel Arteta’s defence across either half.

The scale of Arsenal’s control followed a similar pattern over both league meetings this season. Across the two Premier League derbies, Tottenham have managed only nine attempts in total, including three in the earlier away fixture. That lack of attacking threat underlined how rarely Arsenal’s back line came under concerted pressure.

Tottenham’s problems extend beyond one north London derby defeat in this Premier League campaign. Tottenham are the only side without a league victory in 2026, taking four draws and five losses from nine games. Only Wolves, with 10, have lost more home games in Europe’s big-five leagues than Tottenham’s eight this season.

Tudor accepted that Arsenal’s level highlighted how far Tottenham must improve in the Premier League. The head coach pointed to intensity, running power and belief as the main differences in the derby. Tudor also stressed that long-standing habits are slowing Tottenham’s response at a difficult point in the season.

"I'm sad because we didn't do enough. Arsenal were much better," he told Sky Sports. "There was too much gap between the two teams. Even the physical problems we made to make 11 players [on the pitch] plus three [substitutes]. It's good to see this kind of team, to show us where we need to be because we struggle in a lot of things. Psychologically, we need to come out of this moment; the only way is work. Stay quiet, stay humble. And look in the future day by day, growing and growing day by day and week. It's too strong in this moment. We need to work. There were too many bad habits in the past. Each of us, each part of the team, needs to look at ourselves, grow and be humble. It's all about work. We need to run more, work, win duels and second balls. We prepare this for four or five days, but they were faster. The players showed their passion, they wanted to run, and they wanted to do. But we pressed high and don't arrive and take the ball, they are stronger, they have more power and energy. They believe more, that's the key in the end. That's it. Take the lessons."

Arsenal control leaves Tottenham and Igor Tudor looking for solutions

Tudor explained that Tottenham tried to press high against Arsenal but often arrived late to challenges. Arsenal used that space to play through midfield, which increased pressure on Tottenham’s defence. Tudor noted the group’s effort and desire, yet felt Arsenal’s physical power and stronger belief told in key moments.

The defeat left Tottenham four points above the relegation places, so the risk remains clear. Tudor, however, insisted that the squad has enough talent to rise away from that zone. The coach argued that mentality, focus from the opening minutes and improved physical output are now the main priorities.

"Of course, I am confident [they will not be relegated]," he added. "These are players who are a good group with bad habits. Nobody can tell me we don't have quality. But we need to change, a mental switch, and have this mental sharpness to be in the game from the first and second minutes. And have the physicality. One or two players did not have good moments, but today it can happen. Too many players had problems. That's the result."

The north London derby showed Arsenal operating as a complete Premier League side while Tottenham searched for stability. Eze and Gyokeres delivered the decisive goals, while Kolo Muani’s disallowed second strike summed up Tottenham’s frustration. Tudor now faces the task of turning renewed focus on work, mentality and running into points on the table.