Eberechi Eze starred again against Tottenham with a brace, Viktor Gyokeres doubled his tally and Arsenal reclaimed momentum with a 4-1 win that reshapes the title picture
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Arsenal rout to extend lead in north london derby
Arsenal delivered a statement victory away at Tottenham Hotspur, winning 4-1 in the north London derby. The win saw Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres each score twice, underlining Arsenal’s attacking edge in the fixture.
The result restored a five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League for Mikel Arteta’s side, although title rivals Manchester City retain a game in hand.
The derby also reinforced a recurring theme: Eze’s propensity for scoring against Tottenham.
His performance added to an emerging narrative about his influence in high-profile north London fixtures.
How the match unfolded
His performance added to an emerging narrative about his influence in high-profile north London fixtures. Arsenal started on the front foot and opened the scoring through a well-taken effort by Eberechi Eze, setting an early, physical tone.
Tottenham responded in the first half when Randal Kolo Muani capitalised on a loose moment to level in the 34th minute. The goal restored parity and intensified challenges across midfield and defence.
The second half favoured Arsenal. Viktor Gyokeres restored the lead with a strike from the edge of the area shortly after the break. Eze then converted a rebound in the 61st minute after a saved attempt from Bukayo Saka, extending the advantage.
Gyokeres completed the scoring with a stoppage-time finish to make it 4-1. The late goal confirmed the margin and underlined Arsenal’s clinical edge in decisive moments.
Key performances and tactical themes
The late goal confirmed the margin and underlined Arsenal’s clinical edge in decisive moments.
Arsenal showed composed finishing and calm under derby pressure. Eberechi Eze was central to the win, scoring twice and consistently troubling Tottenham’s defence. His contributions reinforced a pattern of key goals in high-profile north London fixtures.
Clinical finishing from close range combined with intelligent off-the-ball movement from Viktor Gyokeres. That interplay opened spaces and created high-quality chances for Arsenal’s forwards. Arsenal’s midfield regained control at several pivotal moments, helping the team manage transitions and protect leads.
Tottenham, led by Igor Tudor in his first derby, displayed occasional organisation and tactical discipline. The side was nevertheless affected by absences and a late defensive lapse that proved decisive.
Tactical insight: Spurs’ constraints and Arsenal’s response
The match was shaped by Tottenham’s limited selection and Arsenal’s deliberate approach. Tottenham travelled with several attackers unavailable and their captain suspended. That reduced options forced their manager to set up a compact defence and seek rapid counters.
Arsenal responded by pressing aggressively and accelerating transitions. Their forwards exploited the spaces left by Tottenham’s retreat. The home side controlled the tempo early to reduce late-game volatility, a strategy that limited Tottenham’s leading counter threats and helped close out the contest.
Defensive discipline and timely rotations proved decisive for Arsenal. When Tottenham’s shape faltered late, Arsenal’s tight switching and forward runs capitalised on the lapse. The result underlined how squad availability and game management combined to determine the outcome.
Wider implications for the title race
The result underlined how squad availability and game management combined to determine the outcome. The victory gives Arsenal breathing space at the top with 10 league matches remaining in their pursuit of a first top-flight title since 2004.
Arsenal sit five points clear, but the margin is tempered by Manchester City holding a game in hand and by two scheduled meetings between the clubs. The sides will meet in the league in mid-April and again in the English League Cup final on March 22. Those fixtures increase the value of consistency; Arsenal must sustain form and manage selection carefully to convert the current advantage into a championship-winning position.
Player form and psychological edges
Building on the need for sustained consistency, Eberechi Eze has combined statistical impact with a recurring psychological edge when facing Tottenham.
He has scored the majority of his league goals this season against the north London side, a pattern he said after the match that creates a particular confidence in those fixtures.
Viktor Gyokeres contributed two goals, underlining Arsenal’s attacking depth and the value of rotation in high-stakes matches.
Maintaining this form will require careful selection and game management as the club seeks to convert a temporary advantage into a sustained title challenge.
Other notable Premier League results on the day
Maintaining this form will require careful selection and game management, and other results across the division added fresh twists to the title race and relegation battle.
Liverpool secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest courtesy of a dramatic 97th-minute goal from Alexis Mac Allister, after an earlier effort was disallowed for handball. Crystal Palace, amid uncertainty over manager Oliver Glasner’s future, clinched a late 1-0 victory at relegation-threatened Wolverhampton through substitute Evann Guessand. Fulham moved into the top half after Raul Jimenez scored twice in a 3-1 win at Sunderland, becoming only the second visiting team to win at the Stadium of Light this season.
Collectively, the day’s results shifted momentum across the league table. Teams that secured late winners gained immediate confidence. Others dropped points and saw their positions tighten.
Arsenal’s derby dominance reinforced their psychological edge and improved their standing. Narrow margins elsewhere underscored how tightly contested the season remains. With several pivotal fixtures approaching, including the Arsenal–City encounters, the title fight appears set to be decided in the coming weeks.
