Igor Tudor makes huge Arsenal claim after Tottenham thrashed in derby debut

Igor Tudor did not hold back in his assessment of Arsenal after Tottenham Hotspur suffered another chastening defeat in the north London derby, describing their rivals as “probably the best team in the world” following a humbling afternoon.

Tudor’s first match as interim head coach ended in disappointment on home soil, as Spurs were beaten 4-1 in a contest that ultimately highlighted the gulf between the two sides. Arsenal’s clinical edge proved decisive, with both Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres striking twice to secure a comprehensive victory. Eze in particular continued to torment Tottenham, having already bagged a hat-trick in a similar 4-1 demolition earlier in the campaign.

Despite the final scoreline, the game had briefly offered hope for the hosts. Arsenal struck first through Eze, but Tottenham responded quickly. Randal Kolo Muani drew Spurs level before the interval, ensuring the sides went into the break locked at 1-1. The French forward thought he had equalised again at 2-2 in the second half, only for his effort to be ruled out following a foul on Gabriel in the build-up — a pivotal moment that swung the momentum firmly back in Arsenal’s favour.

From there, the pattern became all too familiar for Tottenham supporters. Defensive frailties resurfaced, confidence drained, and Arsenal ruthlessly capitalised. What had once been a competitive contest turned into another sobering collapse, deepening fears about Spurs’ alarming slide in the league table. The defeat extended their winless Premier League run in 2026 and marked their 12th league loss of an increasingly turbulent season.

Injuries have ravaged the squad throughout the campaign, but excuses are wearing thin. Tottenham now sit 16th in the table, just four points clear of the relegation zone with 11 fixtures remaining. With rivals picking up points elsewhere, including a stalemate between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth, the pressure is mounting in north London.

For Arsenal, meanwhile, the victory came at a crucial moment. After signs of a potential wobble in the title race, they restored a five-point cushion at the summit ahead of in-form challengers Manchester City, who still have a game in hand and loom large as the season approaches its decisive stretch.

Tudor, appointed on a short-term basis following the dismissal of Thomas Frank, was frank in his post-match analysis. The Croatian admitted the derby had revealed uncomfortable truths about his squad, describing a group blessed with talent but burdened by damaging habits.

“We need more time to reach the physical condition required to compete at this level,” Tudor explained. “Right now, we are not there. When you face a team of this quality, you must be able to match their intensity and win duels. We couldn’t do that consistently.”

He also pointed to a visible fragility when his side had possession. “Even with the ball, you can see the lack of confidence. We prepared well, we wanted to execute our plan, but football is played against an opponent — and today the reality was very clear.”

Tudor admitted he felt a mix of frustration and disappointment but insisted the defeat could serve as a necessary wake-up call. “I am very sad and very angry, of course. But sometimes you need to see the truth. What is the goal of this club? What is the goal of this team? Of this coach and these players? If we want to become serious — truly serious — then it starts with looking in the mirror.”

He stressed that improvement would require more than tactical tweaks. “It’s not about being just a group of 20 players. It’s about mentality, about daily habits. Everyone must take responsibility and begin to change.”

While acknowledging the scale of the challenge, Tudor reiterated his admiration for Arsenal’s current level. “We didn’t need this kind of game right now, especially against a team that is probably the best in the world at the moment. I’ve played in many derbies and coached in them too. They give you extra motivation, extra energy. But there are elements — physical condition, confidence, automatisms — that you cannot fix in three or four training sessions. It’s impossible.”

With time running short and the relegation battle tightening, Tudor’s immediate task is clear: restore belief, rebuild discipline, and prevent the season from spiralling further. The derby defeat may have been painful, but it has provided a stark snapshot of the work required if Tottenham are to salvage their campaign.