Arsenal cruised past Tottenham 4-1 in the North London derby, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice and Eberechi Eze adding a brace to keep Arsenal top of the Premier League, five points clear of Manchester City.
Arsenal produced a statement win on Sunday, sweeping Tottenham aside 4-1 in the North London derby on matchday 27 of the Premier League.
The result not only delivered bragging rights in one of Englands fiercest rivalries, but also restored a five point cushion at the top of the table over Manchester City, keeping Arsenal firmly in control of the title race as the season enters its decisive stretch.
The derby began at a frantic tempo, with both sides pressing high and trying to seize the initiative through quick transitions. Arsenal looked to impose their rhythm through long spells of possession, while Tottenham aimed to break the lines early and turn the match into an open contest. The intensity was reflected in the duels across the pitch, with midfield battles and aggressive defensive lines shaping a first half that felt tense even before the goals arrived.
The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute through Eberechi Eze, who finished clinically to put Arsenal ahead. The goal rewarded Arsenals stronger spells, with Tottenham struggling to contain the movement between the lines and the runners arriving from midfield. However, the response was immediate. Only two minutes later, Randal Kolo Muani levelled the score at 1-1, punishing a brief lapse and reigniting Tottenham belief. For a moment, the match looked set to swing into a classic derby pattern, with momentum changing hands and both teams sensing vulnerability.
Arsenal emerged from the interval with a much clearer grip on the game, and they wasted little time in turning pressure into an advantage. In the 47th minute, Viktor Gyokeres, the former Sporting striker, restored the lead with a powerful strike from outside the box. The finish was decisive and perfectly timed, taking the air out of Tottenham just as they were trying to build on the late first half equaliser. It was also the kind of goal that changes the emotional temperature of a derby: calm, direct, and delivered by a forward who thrives on big moments.
From that point on, Arsenal played with growing authority. They controlled the central areas more effectively, moved the ball quicker, and forced Tottenham backwards with sustained attacks. Tottenham, meanwhile, began to look stretched, leaving spaces that Arsenal exploited with intelligent runs and quick combinations. The home side also looked more secure defensively, recovering possession quickly and limiting Tottenham to isolated breaks that rarely developed into sustained pressure.
The match was effectively put out of reach in the 61st minute when Eze struck again to make it 3-1. His second goal underlined Arsenals superiority in key moments and capped a performance full of energy, sharpness and end product. With Tottenham now chasing the game, the spaces only increased, and Arsenal looked increasingly dangerous every time they advanced into the final third.
The final blow arrived later when Gyokeres completed his brace for 4-1, finishing after an assist from Martin Odegaard. It was a goal that reflected Arsenals attacking depth and their ability to turn dominance into decisive numbers on the scoreboard. Odegaard set the tone with his link play and leadership, and the combination between midfield and attack remained a constant problem for Tottenham throughout the second half.
Beyond the goals, the result told a broader story about where both clubs currently stand. Arsenal, now on 61 points, remain top and have re established a five point lead over Manchester City, a margin that provides breathing room but also demands continued consistency. Victories like this carry extra weight, not only because of the opponent, but because they reinforce belief inside the squad and send a message to rivals that Arsenal can deliver in high pressure fixtures.
For Tottenham, the defeat deepens a difficult campaign. Remaining in 16th place on 29 points, they are still locked in the fight to avoid relegation, where every week brings new pressure and little margin for error. The presence of Joao Palhinha highlighted the level of experience they have available, but the team could not cope with Arsenals second half surge, and the heavy scoreline adds another blow to confidence.
For Arsenal, the headline will be the ruthless second half and the standout contributions from Eze and Gyokeres, both of whom delivered not just goals but a sense of control and authority in a derby that often refuses to be predictable. With the run in approaching, this was the kind of performance that champions produce: intense when needed, clinical in the key moments, and relentless once the advantage was established.
