Mikel Arteta hailed his players’ “attitude” and “desire” as Arsenal retained North London bragging rights with a[4-1 win at Sp\*rs](https://arseblog.news/2026/02/report-sprs-1-4-arsenal-inc-goals/), courtesy of braces from Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.
Needing to respond to Manchester City’s win over Newcastle and shake off frustration from Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Wolves, the Gunners delivered a superb second-half performance to restore a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, albeit having played a game more.
Asked about the reaction by _Sky Sports_, Arteta said: “That’s football. I mean, when you watch the game back against Wolves, how the hell do you drop two points there? Nobody can explain it, but this is the beauty of it.
“And then it looks like it’s the end of the world. And you look at your players and the way they react and how much you want it. I feel very, very privileged to work with them every single day. I knew we were going to react.
“In football you can win, draw or lose. But the attitude that we showed today, the desire, the dominance, it was really impressive. So I’m really happy.”
On when he knew his players would be ready for the derby, he said: “Immediately after \[Wolves\], because I saw their reaction and what it means. And when it’s a job, you don’t react like this. When it’s your passion and you love the game so much, that’s something else.
It hurts you in a different way. And I know what it means to them and how much they want it. And we’re certainly going to try all our very best.”
Eze, the hat-trick hero of the reverse fixture in November, picked up where he left off, breaking the deadlock just past the half-hour mark with a tidy finish in a crowded box after determined work by Bukayo Saka. The lead lasted only two minutes. Despite urging calm as teammates celebrated, Declan Rice was caught in possession inside his own area by Randal Kolo Muani, who hammered past Raya. The teams went in level at the break despite Arsenal’s control.
“I don’t know how many touches we had in the opponent’s box and chances and situations, but we said at halftime, we carry on playing,” revealed Arteta.
Arsenal emerged sharply after the break and regained the lead when Gyokeres curled home from the edge of the box. Eze soon made it three, pouncing on a loose ball after Saka had been denied as Arteta’s side pushed to kill the game.
Raya then produced a stunning late stop, clawing the ball off the line to deny Richarlison, before Gyokeres rounded off a man-of-the-match display by holding off Archie Gray and crashing home in front of the travelling support to seal Arsenal’s biggest away win in N17 since 1978.
“I think we understood really well, how we had to play,” said Arteta.
“And then players were individually really, really good. That’s what you need. The level of efficiency at the end is dictated by how well they make decisions and how accurate they are with those decisions. And we have some outstanding performances today.”
Put to him that Gyokeres had just played his best game for the club since his summer move, Arteta agreed.
“I think so. I think his overall play was incredible. The efficiency, the goals that he scored, it was really, really good today.”
He was also full of praise for Eze, who, remarkably, had not registered a league shot since his three goals against Spurs two months ago. The England international has not always sparked when called upon, but he thrived in the space left by a disorganised Sp\*rs side.
Explaining his decision to select Eze, Arteta said: “Well, one of them is because of the recent past against them, it was really positive. That’s there.
“I know that we are understanding what Ebbs needs to perform at the level that he can.”
Arsenal now have a week to prepare for Chelsea’s visit to the Emirates. With 10 games remaining in their pursuit of a first league title in 22 years, there is a brief chance to recover before the schedule tightens again.
“One at a time. It’s going to be a long, long one because on top of that, we have all the cup games and Champions League. So, it’s going to be a long marathon for all of us. But let’s enjoy it.”