Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports after [Arsenal’s 4-1 North London derby win](https://arseblog.news/2025/11/report-arsenal-4-1-sprs-inc-goals/) over Sp\*rs today.
Here’s what he had to say.
**How much did he like today?**
Yeah, I enjoyed every minute of it. The preparation since they came back from international break, the energy that I felt, the hunger to play the game, the enthusiasm, the joy, and then, yeah, when you are able to play in the manner that we played, perform in the manner that we did, and to win with the goals that we scored against our rivals, obviously, it’s a very special day.
**Was Arsenal’s character the key ingredient?**
Well, we certainly wanted to impose ourselves in every department, but it has to start with that intensity, with the duels being very precise, because the space is limited. There’s a lot of aggression on the pitch. They are a really, really good team.
And, yeah, we have to admit, I think we started from the beginning really strong, really intense, creating a massive chance with Declan straight away. Now, we had to be patient, but we looked very dominant. We scored two magnificent goals to start with, and then in the second half as well, we maintained the consistency, and even though there are things to improve, overall, I think it was a great performance.
**The tactical planning, predicting Sp\*rs three/five at the back …**
Well, during the international break, I had a lot of time to think and to analyse and to think what they could do, and analyse their games, our games, and that was probably the best chance for us, for them to create issues against us, and that was a possibility that we prepared. Obviously, we didn’t know. The moment we got the line-up, we made the adjustment that we had to make, and then the players delivered some incredible performances.
I tried to understand how they can be thinking, what’s the perception they have in relation to us, and what we believe that they can do. But we don’t know, but our job is to be prepared, and then, yeah, within the game plan that we want to provide, simplify it as much as possible. Whether they play one formation or the other, and then the players have to deliver, and they certainly have done it today.
**On bringing in Eze after a lot of other deals…**
The club was fully supportive, and Andrea \[Berta\] was excellent delivering that, because, yeah, at the moment we’re missing Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Martinelli just came back, Noni Madueke just came back, so thank God we have a replacement.
**Trossard and Merino as unsung heroes …**
Unbelievable, they’ve been so consistent as well the whole season, and it’s credit to them, the way they prepared themselves, how much they wanted it, they are able to play in different positions. I think Piero as well, I mean, that’s a big task to replace Big Gabi, that’s a major job, and I think he was excellent from the beginning.
**Are Arsenal too good to stop?**
I don’t know. You have to go game by game, I know the league is so tough, when you look at the results yesterday, and today, and the margins that teams are winning matches for, it’s super reduced.
So we know that it’s going to be a long, long journey, we are really excited about what we’re doing, we have to maintain that momentum, enjoy today and tomorrow, Bayern Munich!