West Ham United v Chelsea - Premier League
Arsenal were always in ‘control’ against Tottenham, says Jamie Redknapp (Picture: Getty)
Jamie Redknapp backed Arsenal to go on and win the Premier League title after overcoming Spurs in this weekend’s one-sided north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A shock midweek capitulation away to lowly Wolves ramped up the pressure on Arsenal entering the clash, with just two points separating Mikel Arteta’s men from second-placed Manchester City.
But top-of-the-table Arsenal were far and away the better team when push came to shove, despite Spurs going into the break level after Randal Kolo Muani had cancelled out Eberechi Eze’s opener in an absorbing first half.
Two goals from Viktor Gyokeres – either side of Eze’s second on the hour-mark – secured the away team bragging rights over their bitter rivals, who were being led by Igor Tudor for the first time.
The 4-1 scoreline means Spurs remain winless in the English top flight in 2026 and sit just four points above the relegation zone with ten matches remaining of the campaign.
Arsenal, meanwhile, finish the weekend with a five-point advantage over City at the summit.
Though ‘proud’ of Arsenal’s dream derby-day performance, Arteta was keen to remind his players that there was still a ‘long way’ to go in the Premier League, with ten games remaining of the season.
Get your football fix
Don't want to miss the week's biggest football stories? Metro's exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the latest transfer rumours and managerial moves to analysis of the biggest games and a lot more, our experts have you covered.
Sign up here, it's an open goal.
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
Eze struck twice to inspire Arsenal to a comprehensive victory (Picture: Getty)
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
Arteta’s men sit five points clear at the top after the win (Picture: Getty)
‘I’m really happy, really proud about how we approached the game,’ the Arsenal head coach said in his post-match interview with BBC Sport.
‘The initiative and the quality we showed to come here and win the game in the way that we did.
‘That is the beauty of football. When you look back at the game against Wolves, how did we draw that game from there? I was out with them every day and I know how much they want it.
‘This is the Premier League, it will go all the way for sure. Ten games in the Premier League is a long way.’
Arsenal back in charge of the title race
A huge win for Arsenal puts them five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and they remain favourites to win the title, despite recent wobbles.
Spurs are not the toughest team in the league to play against, but the Gunners were threatening and potent again after looking blunt of late.
They should have been well ahead at the break and it was only an odd Declan Rice error which meant the game was level. Mikel Arteta’s men remained calm and kept coming, getting their rewards.
The pressure has been building, but Arsenal have eased it with the result and performance, both of which were excellent.
The link-up between Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka was really impressive at Spurs and if Arteta can get those two firing on a regular basis then few defences will be able to handle them.
It is curious that Eze has scored five of his six Premier League goals this season against Spurs and has not really sparkled much outside of the derbies, but clearly he has a lot more to offer in this title race.
There are twists and turns to come before anyone lifts the Premier League trophy, but the gloom hanging over Arsenal since Wolves has been lifted.
It will be another high intensity affair next time out as Arsenal host Chelsea.
Reflecting on Arsenal’s statement win in the Sky Sports studio, Redknapp echoed Arteta’s post-match remarks as he highlighted that ‘anything can still happen’ in what remains of the season.
However, the ex-Tottenham and England midfielder said he was ‘sticking’ with his initial prediction that Arsenal will hold their nerve and end their long wait to win a Premier League title.
‘There are going to be so many twists and turns, I do feel it is Arsenal’s season and Manchester City have really surprised me, they have been fantastic,’ he explained.
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
Gyokeres scored a second-half brace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Picture: Getty)
‘City had to suffer yesterday, it was a huge three points for them.
‘But obviously Arsenal have to go to City and we have seen how difficult that is in the past.
‘Anything can still happen, but I’m still going to stick with Arsenal.’
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
It proved a miserable first match in charge for new Spurs boss Tudor (Picture: Getty)
Despite the two teams going into the break all square, Redknapp felt the contest was a ‘mismatch’ and Arsenal were always in ‘control’.
‘Arsenal were magnificent today, even when they equalised, Tottenham, you just felt their was a control about this Arsenal side,’ he added.
I thought it was a complete mismatch. They were different leagues.
‘Arsenal were so in control, so classy. They had a threat on the counter-attack, on the break, when they were maybe having to suffer a little bit, but there were so much better than Tottenham.’
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
Eze has scored five goals in his last two games against Spurs (Picture: Getty)
West Ham United v Chelsea - Premier League
Arsenal will go on and win the title, predicts Redknapp (Picture: Getty)
Redknapp fears his former club could get dragged into a genuine relegation scrap should interim boss Tudor fail to turn their fortunes around in double-quick time.
‘They were in two different leagues and if Tottenham aren’t careful they might be in a different league next season,’ he added.
‘They can’t carry on performing like this, they’ve not had a win in 2026.
‘But Arsenal, the way they played, the way they defended at times, the way Viktor Gyokeres led the line, Eberechi Eze was wonderful… it was a brilliant, brilliant performance from them.
‘You’ve also got to remember that David Raya save at 3-1. If they had gone in, then who knows? Because of the ghosts of midweek against Wolves, it might just have put a bit of pressure on them.
‘But that’s what they needed, the goalkeeper to step up. He made a mistake earlier in week, this showed great character today.
‘Arsenal were fantastic and they were just too good for Tottenham.’
Will Tottenham get relegated this season?
Sign up to In The Mixer, your guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it’s an open goal.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Igor Tudor makes huge Arsenal claim after Tottenham’s derby defeat
MORE: Chris Sutton spots ‘concerning’ sign for Arsenal in win over Tottenham
MORE: Arsenal star Noni Madueke tells Tottenham star he’s ‘s***’ during derby victory
Football Newsletter – In The Mixer
Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.