PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 22ND FEBRUARY, 2026
(4.30 PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) ARSENAL 4(1)

Spurs scorer:-
Kolo Muani, 34

Arsenal scorers:-
Eze, 32, 61
Gyokeres, 47, 90+4

Attendance:- 61,439

Referee:- Peter Bankes
Assistants:- Eddie Smart, Blake Antrobus
Fourth official: Sam Barrott
VAR:- Darren England
Assistant VAR:- Tim Wood

Teams:-
Spurs (3-5-2):- 1. Vicario; 6. Palhinha (sub 11. Tel. 82), 3. Dragusin, 37. Van de Ven (Capt.); 14. Gray, 22. Gallagher (sub 19. Solanke, 62), 8. Bissouma, 29. Sarr, 24. Spence; 39. Kolo Muani (sub 9. Richarlison, 68), 7. Xavi

Subs not used:- 40. Austin; 38. Souza, 76. Rowswell; 52. Olusesi, 68. Williams-Barnett, 79. Wilson

Booked:- Gray (celebration), Bissouma (Dissent after foul)

Arsenal (4-2-3-1):- 1. Raya; 12. Timber (sub 3. Mosquera, 57), 2. Saliba, 6. Gabriel, 5. Hincapie; 36. Zubimendi, 41. Rice; 7. Saka (Capt.) (sub 20. Madueke, 90+1), 10. Eze (sub 8. Odegaard, 77), 19. Trossard (sub Martinelli, 76); 14. Gyokeres

Subs not used:- 13. Kepa; 33. Calafiori, 49. Lewis-Skelly; 16. Norgaard; 9. Jesus

Booked:- Timber (foul on Xavi)

Tudor realises the task ahead

At the end of his first week as interim coach, Igor Tudor faced the toughest of opposition and after our second 4-1 thrashing of the season by our local rivals, he said this:-

"I am sad because we did not do enough. Arsenal were much better. This time there was too much gap between the two teams. Even the physical problems we made to make 11 players (on the pitch) plus three (substitutes). It is good to show and see this kind of team (like Arsenal), to show us where we need to be. It shows work and hard, because we struggle in a lot of things. Psychologically we need to come out of this moment, the only way is work. Stay quiet, stay humble. And look in the future day by day, growing and growing day-by-day and week. It is too strong in this moment.

"We need to work. There were too many bad habits in the past. Each of us, each part of the team needs to look at ourselves, grow and be humble. It is all about work. We need to run more, work, win duels and second balls. We prepare this for four or five days, but they were faster. The players showed their passion, they wanted to run and they wanted to do. But we pressed high and do not arrive and take the ball, they are stronger, they have more power and energy. They believe more, that is the key in the end. That is it. Take the lessons."

It is fair to say Igor now has a full realisation of his task ahead, which is to retain Spurs' 49-year status as a top flight team. He remains hampered by the mass of injuries and the major suspension of club captain Cristian Romero. There were glimmers of Tudor's style, with Xavi and Kolo Muani his two front men, playing well off each other in flashes.

However, among all the injuries, Spurs are missing two of their best three centre-backs and Dragusin, along with Palhinha did not prove up to the task today. Even Micky van de Ven looked confused when Tudor urged him, to push up and create a higher line.

Spurs fans were up for the game and urged the team on, encouraged by a new TIFO in the south stand before kick-off. We drew the first half, but despite the emotional half-time interview of Dele Alli, we soon went behind after the break and succumbed to a superior team.

Ebere Eze hadn't scored for Arsenal since his hat-trick in the away game in November, but he gleefully scored two more today. The south stand abused him in the strongest of terms. Gyokeres has been regarded as something of a misfit at times this season, but he too grabbed two goals, much too easily for my liking.

Arsenal have now beaten us in 8 of our last 10 meetings and achieved their sixth Premier League double with this win. It is also the sixth time they have beaten us by three goals in the Premier League era. It hurts so much.

Dominic Solanke, who had suffered a throat infection this week, was left on the bench. Richarlison made a welcome return and came when we were 3-1 down. "Richie" came so close to scoring when trying to convert a cross, but Raya somehow kept the ball from crossing the line. Muani had a 53rd minute "goal" disallowed for the weakest of pushes on Gabriel. That would have made the score 2-2 and would have made so much difference.

With regards to referee Peter Bankes and his officials, Spurs were not enjoying the rub of the green. Those officials had trouble with their comms system after five minutes and at the start of the second half which caused lengthy delays.

Arsenal kicked off and played towards the south stand, and they were in our half for too much of the time. Vicario came racing out of his box to head clear of an advancing red-shirted player. Trossard took a pot shot at goal, but Van de Ven and Dragusin were able to cover their keeper and clear.

Gyokeres fired wide across Vicario's goal after an advance down the left channel.

After that first delay and a lengthy ball by Vicario, Muani flicked to Xavi, but his cross was comfortable for Raya. Archie Gray made a good tackle to prevent Gyokeres taking advantage of another attacking opportunity.

The Arsenal corner strategy was on full display, with three or more players lining up beyond the far post before racing towards the ball when crossed. Saliba headed just wide from one such situation. Xavi erred with an inward pass in his own half, but Gyokeres failed with his attempt from distance.

Archie Gray needed treatment for a head injury and was off the pitch briefly. Sarr made a good run and fed the ball to Xavi, whose cross was cleared. Spence was penalised in his own half, but Spurs cleared that free kick. Timber was booked for his cynical foul on an advancing Xavi Simons.

Nothing came of our free kick and Arsenal gave the worse kind of response at the other end. Saka got the better of Sarr on our bye-line and cut the ball back for Eze to score his first goal.

Kolo Muani gave the best response and scored his first Premier League goal after Rice lost possession. Randal cut into the box and scored with an excellent low right-footed shot.

Vicario made a precious one-on-one save from Saka, and Trossard hit a shot just wide after another Arsenal corner. The referee decreed there was no foul on Muani as he seemed to be pushed over in an attacking situation. Dragusin had a couple of long throws, but these were cleared.

Spurs kicked off the second half and after a good run, Xavi's shot was saved by Raya, after which there appeared to be an offside flag against Spurs. Arsenal soon took the lead through Gyokeres after Timber crossed from the right. Gyokeres was given too much space and time to score with a right-footed shot.

Gallagher and Gray exchanged passes down the right side, but the resulting cross was held by Raya. Eze got the better of Palhinha, but Van de Ven cleared his effort.

Xavi had an exciting run before Gallagher did well to keep the ball in play near the right corner flag. He delivered aa good cross which was converted by Muani. Our ecstatic celebrations were soon halted by Mr. Bankes award of a free kick to Arsenal.

Vicario made a good save from Saka after Palhinha's poor decision to hit a free kick in our half from the right across the field to Arsenal's right flank. All our worse habits were starting to appear again with those tentative short passing goal kicks and too much pressure in our half by Arsenal's press.

Eze scored again after Saka was blocked and the ball fell to the former Crystal Palace man. Spurs' heads went down really at 3-1 down. Tudor replaced Palhinha with Tel. Richarlison had replaced Muani and went so close after Spence crossed from the right. The ball went under Ray, but he recovered to stop it crossing the line.

Seven minutes were added during which Gyokeres cemented the win. Odegaard had dispossessed Spence and raced on, feeding Gyokeres who scored with his right foot.

No Spurs fan truly expected anything from this game. 11 massive challenges are ahead starting with Fulham away next Sunday when we will still be seeking our first league win of 2026.

. Declan Mulcahy writes his first article in the series "A dozen definitive days"

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