Football is weird. One minute you're the king of London, and the next, you're watching a rival's new signing dance on your grave. Honestly, if you haven't been following the North London Derby lately, you've missed a complete shift in the local hierarchy. We aren't just talking about a lucky win here or there. It's becoming a bit of a pattern.
When the most recent arsenal v tottenham match kicked off at the Emirates, the energy was different. You could feel it. Fans weren't just hopeful; they were expectant. Arsenal walked away with a crushing 4-1 victory on November 23, 2025, and it felt like a statement. Not a "we're good" statement. More of a "we are levels above you" statement.
The Eberechi Eze show: A nightmare for Spurs
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. The star of the show was Eberechi Eze.
You might remember the rumors. Spurs were desperate to sign him from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2025. Instead, he chose the red side of North London. In this match, he played like a man with a point to prove. He didn’t just score; he dismantled Thomas Frank’s defensive setup.
The first goal came from Leandro Trossard in the 36th minute. Simple enough. But then Eze took over. He scored in the 41st minute. Then again, basically straight after the second-half kickoff. By the 76th minute, he’d secured a hat-trick.
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It was the first North London Derby hat-trick in the Premier League since... well, a very long time. 1978, to be exact. That's nearly 50 years. Imagine being a Tottenham fan and having to watch the guy you almost signed break a half-century record against you. It's brutal.
Tactical shifts and psychological scars
Ange Postecoglou is gone, and Thomas Frank is the man in the hot seat for Tottenham now. He tried something brave—or maybe desperate—by switching to a three-man defense with Kevin Danso. It didn't work. At all.
Spurs looked terrified of the ball for the first 45 minutes. They didn't even record a single shot until the 55th minute. When they finally did score, it was a moment of pure madness. Richarlison spotted David Raya off his line and lobbed him from about 40 yards out.
It was a brilliant goal. Truly. But it was a consolation prize in a game where they were being bullied.
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Arsenal, meanwhile, were missing key players. No Martin Ødegaard in his usual rhythm? No problem. Mikel Arteta has built a squad where players like Mikel Merino can step into a makeshift center-forward role and still provide world-class assists. The depth is actually kind of scary.
Looking ahead to February 2026
The dust has settled on the 4-1 thrashing, but the story isn't over. The next arsenal v tottenham match is already circled on the calendar. Mark your calendars for February 22, 2026.
This time, the venue shifts to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. For Spurs, this isn't just a game; it's a chance at redemption. They are currently sitting in the middle of the table, while Arsenal are leading the title race, sitting six points clear of Chelsea.
If you’re planning to watch, keep an eye on these specific factors:
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- The Midfield Battle: Declan Rice is a machine. He covers so much ground it’s basically unfair. Spurs need Joao Palhinha to be at his absolute best to even stand a chance of controlling the tempo.
- The "Eze" Factor: Can Thomas Frank find a way to stop Eze this time? In the last match, he was given too much space between the lines. Expect a much more "bruising" approach from Cristian Romero.
- Injury Updates: Arsenal have been managing a few knocks to Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori. If their backline is rotated, Spurs might find the gaps they lacked in November.
Honestly, the gap between these two teams feels wider than it has been in years. Arsenal are playing with a swagger that suggests they believe the title is theirs to lose. Tottenham, on the other hand, are a team in transition, trying to find an identity under Frank while dealing with the psychological weight of recent derby defeats.
What you can do now
The rivalry is peaking. If you're a fan or a neutral looking to dive deeper into the tactics, here is the move.
First, go back and watch the highlights of the November 23rd match specifically focusing on Eze's movement off the ball. It’s a masterclass in finding pockets of space. Second, keep a close eye on the Premier League standings leading up to the February 22nd clash. If Arsenal are still top, the pressure on Spurs to be "the spoilers" will be immense.
Check the injury reports starting in mid-February. The availability of Bukayo Saka and Son Heung-min always dictates the gravity of this fixture. Don't just look at the scoreline; look at the expected goals (xG). In the 4-1 win, Arsenal's xG was nearly 2.0, while Spurs struggled to create anything high-quality outside of Richarlison's wonder-strike.