Tottenham Vs Arsenal: live report and confirmed line-ups

Arsenal defeated Tottenham 4-1 in the north London derby as two goals from Eberechi Eze and two from Victor Gyökeres sent Arsenal five points clear at the top. The match, played on Sun 22 February 2026, 15: 15, left Spurs in serious danger of relegation and saw Igor Tudor take charge of his first game as Head Coach.

Tottenham Vs Arsenal: Confirmed line-ups

Tottenham named the following starting XI: Vicario, Dragusin, Palhinha, Xavi, Bissouma, Gray, Gallagher, Spence, Sarr, van de Ven (c), Kolo Muani. Their substitutes were Austin, Richarlison, Tel, Solanke, Souza, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Rowswell, Wilson.

Arsenal’s starting XI was Raya, Saliba, Hincapie, Gabriel, Saka (c), Eze, Timber, Gyokeres, Trossard, Zubimendi, Rice. Arsenal’s substitutes were Kepa, Mosquera, Odegaard, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly.

Team news and injuries

Igor Tudor made two changes from the side that started the previous game against Newcastle United as he named his first team in charge. Joao Palhinha returned to the XI, replacing Wilson Odobert, who will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Randal Kolo Muani returned to the starting XI for the first time since the 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the start of the month.

Dominic Solanke began the game among the substitutes after suffering a throat problem. Richarlison was named among the substitutes, his first appearance in a matchday squad since the FA Cup third round meeting with Aston Villa last month in which he was forced off with injury. Young striker James Wilson, an arrival earlier this month on loan from Hearts, was named in a senior matchday squad for the first time and had scored his first goal in Lilywhite in Friday night’s 4-1 Under-21s victory over Norwich City.

Match events and goal sequence

All four Arsenal goals came from open play. The decisive move late in the game began with Martinelli, Odegaard and Madueke combining to slide Gyokeres in on the left side of the box. Gyokeres held off Gray, hanging on to his arm, opened his body and directed a powerful side-footer inside the far post. That finish completed the tally as Arsenal delivered a fourth goal in another 4-1 derby result; it was noted that this season’s two derbies between the sides have both ended 4-1.

Players' reactions and quotes

Gyokeres told Sky he was happy with some aspects of his play but thought there were areas he could have done better. He also said they work on their moves in training and that he tried to put Eze in the position to replicate what he did in the first game between the sides this season. Eberechi Eze said his work ethic and goals help the team by putting other players in dangerous positions.

Gary Neville awarded Gyokeres player of the match at 90+3 minutes. Commentators and attendees noted small moments: Declan Rice pulled his shirt up over his face to chat to Bukayo Saka during the match.

Table, form and reaction

The result left Arsenal five points clear at the top of the table, having played a game more than Man City. Spurs sit fifth bottom, two points above Forest and four points above West Ham. Spurs have not won a game in 2026.

Live reaction included a warning on Spurs’ plight: one commentator wrote it is "as bad as it looks, " adding he "can't see a way out of the drop" and recalling "77" as cause for alarm. Another observer wrote "New manager bounce in effect, " noting that Spurs had now had more shots than in the first fixture. Iain Chambers observed that "all four Arsenal goals [were] scored from open play" and said "Arteta and Nicolas Jover clearly have a lot of work to do on the training ground. "

At 90+7 minutes the ground emptied quickly and the away end, which had earlier sung a taunt about Tottenham, moved on to a "Sacked in the morning!" chant. Writers and fans described Spurs on current form as in terrible trouble and suggested Chelsea, who follow on Sunday, would present a different and more taxing test.

Closing and context

David Hytner's report concluded the live coverage and the roundup closed with thanks to readers. Observers suggested that Arsenal will feel much better after the win and that, with Eze now ensconced in the first XI and Gyokeres more confident, this match might be remembered as a turning point. One writer questioned the increasing military presence in sport coverage and described that trend as unwelcome.

Tottenham vs Arsenal will remain a focal point of the title race and relegation fight after this 4-1 result, leaving clear implications for both clubs.