The North London Derby witnessed Arsenal secure a dominant 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, a result that significantly impacted both ends of the Premier League table. Arsenal, responding emphatically to mounting pressure from Manchester City's earlier win, re-established their five-point lead at the summit with 10 matches remaining. Meanwhile, for Tottenham, the defeat served as a stark "reality check" in new coach Igor Tudor's inaugural match, with his team now firmly embroiled in a perilous relegation battle.

Eberechi Eze emerged as the undisputed star of the derby, netting twice for the Gunners. His exceptional performance extended an already remarkable scoring record against Spurs; he now boasts five goals in just two Premier League appearances against them since opting to join Arsenal last summer, a choice made after rejecting a £60 million deal with Tottenham. This tally places him alongside club legend Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie in North London Derby goals, with only Robert Pirès (7) and Emmanuel Adebayor (6) having scored more for Arsenal in this fixture. Eze humbly reflected on his derby dominance, stating, "I try to score against everyone but it always seems to work against them!" His first goal, set up by Bukayo Saka's determination, and his second, which sealed the contest, underscored his pivotal role in the victory.

Viktor Gyökeres also played a crucial role, contributing two second-half goals. His emphatic 47th-minute strike, which restored Arsenal's lead, was particularly significant, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure despite a season that has seen him falter under the weight of expectation. This goal marked his 14th of the season, and he added his 15th in stoppage time, capitalizing on a quick Arsenal counterattack. Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott praised the "almost telepathic" link-up between Eze and Gyökeres, highlighting their importance in the title run-in, noting their fresh perspective without the "scars" of previous unsuccessful title attempts at the club.

For Tottenham, the 4-1 defeat was a crushing blow under Igor Tudor. The team's struggles are severe; they haven't secured a league win in 2026 and are currently just four points above the relegation zone. Pundits like Jamie Redknapp have warned that Spurs are "in serious danger of turning into a relegation battle" and face the prospect of being "in a different league next season" if their performances do not drastically improve. Tudor himself acknowledged the "big gap" between the two teams, declaring Arsenal "probably the best team in the world" at this moment. He described the match as a "reality check," expressing sadness and anger over his team's evident lack of confidence and ability, particularly without the ball, despite witnessing initial tenacity and desire from the players. The club is contending with a squad reportedly lacking top quality and the ability to scrap, exacerbated by having only 13 senior fit players available for the derby.

Despite the emphatic nature of their win, Arsenal's performance was not entirely flawless. Shortly after Eze's opening goal, Declan Rice was dispossessed deep in his own half by Randal Kolo Muani, who capitalized on the error to score a quick equalizer. This marked the fourth individual mistake leading to a goal for Arsenal in 2026 alone. However, unlike previous instances against teams like Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Wolves, this error did not cost Arsenal points, underscoring the team's improved character and resilience to bounce back swiftly. Mikel Arteta's demand for a strong response after dropping points in recent games was emphatically met, and the victory sent a clear message to Manchester City about their unwavering title intentions.

Igor Tudor's reception from the Spurs faithful, despite the heavy loss, offered a rare positive. Fans were heard singing "Igor Tudor's blue and white army" less than half an hour into the game, indicating an early buy-in that contrasts sharply with the negative fan sentiment towards his predecessor, Thomas Frank. Tudor also demonstrated pragmatism regarding officiating decisions, accepting without complaint the ruling to disallow Kolo Muani's potential second equalizer for a slight push on Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães. He now faces the formidable challenge of 11 league games to save Tottenham Hotspur from an unthinkable relegation.

The North London Derby thus painted a vivid picture: Arsenal as formidable title contenders, driven by star individual performances and collective resilience, and Tottenham facing a severe test of their Premier League survival. The coming weeks will be crucial in defining Igor Tudor's tenure and Tottenham's immediate future in England's top flight.