Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Arsenal Player Ratings: Strikes from Eze and Gyokeres in the North London Derby Puts Gunners' Title Charge Back on Track

A rollercoaster of a North London derby we witnessed as Arsenal thrashed Tottenham by four goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In a match that pulsed with the classic intensity of this historic rivalry, Arsenal ultimately stamped their authority, running out 3-1 winners against a spirited but ultimately outclassed Tottenham Hotspur side.

This was a game defined by clinical finishing and a dramatic shift in momentum after the break. The atmosphere was electric from the first whistle, a true testament to the Premier League at its most captivating.

The Gunners flew out of the blocks, and it felt inevitable when the brilliant Eberechi Eze broke the deadlock, coolly finishing to send the traveling fans into a frenzy. However, the lead was shockingly short-lived.

Just two minutes later, a lapse in concentration at the back for Arsenal allowed Randal Kolo Muani to pounce, leveling the score and sending the home crowd into delirium.

The first half was a chaotic, breathless affair, with both teams trading blows and looking capable of scoring at any moment. It was end-to-end football that left you unable to look away.

Whatever Arteta said at halftime clearly worked wonders. Arsenal emerged for the second period with a renewed sense of purpose and control.

They retook the lead almost instantly through a thunderous strike from Viktor Gyökeres, a goal that seemed to deflate the entire stadium. From that point on, the Gunners managed the game with an unnerving composure. Tottenham Hotspur pushed for an equalizer but found themselves running into a red and white wall that was unbreakable.

The contest was finally settled when Eberechi Eze grabbed his second of the day, capping a sublime individual performance. Gyökeres also scored his second of the game in the 94th minute, securing a vital three points for his side.

Check out the Tottenham vs Arsenal Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Gabriel Magalhaes was the main pivot in Arsenal's defense, winning a total of 10 duels.
• Randal Kolo Muani scored his first-ever Premier League goal in this game.
• The visitors had total control of the game, amassing 61% possession and even overperformed their xG of 1.93.

Tottenham Player Ratings vs Arsenal

Here are the Tottenham Player Ratings from the Tottenham vs Arsenal Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Guglielmo Vicario - 6.0: A difficult afternoon for the Spurs keeper. He was left exposed for all three goals and couldn't have done much about them. He did make two saves inside the box, but his distribution was poor, with only 39% of his passes finding a teammate. From our perspective, he was a victim of his defence's disorganization.

Defenders

Radu Drăgușin - 7.0: The Romanian was Tottenham's best defender by a country mile. He was a warrior at the back, making a staggering 11 clearances and three interceptions. He even managed a clearance off the line. What stood out to us was his commitment in a defence that was otherwise at sea.

João Palhinha - 6.0: Drafted into a defensive role, and it showed. While he made three successful tackles from five attempts, he was part of a backline that conceded three times. He did his best to stem the tide but looked more comfortable when stepping into midfield. It was a tough ask for him today.

Micky van de Ven - 6.5: Wore the captain's armband and tried to lead by example. He made a crucial last-man tackle and was strong in his duels, winning four of six. However, like the rest of the defence, he was ultimately overwhelmed by Arsenal's fluid attack in the second half. He just couldn't plug all the gaps.

Midfielders

Yves Bissouma - 6.5: A typically combative display from Bissouma. He registered eight ball recoveries and won six of his eight duels, showing his usual bite in the middle of the park. Despite his efforts, he couldn't get a foothold against Arsenal's slick midfield trio and was often bypassed.

Archie Gray - 5.5: A difficult day for the young midfielder. He struggled to make an impact, losing possession 15 times and picking up a yellow card for his troubles. We noticed he looked a little off the pace and couldn't handle the intensity of the derby.

Conor Gallagher - 6.0: Ran his socks off as you'd expect, winning all three of his attempted tackles. However, he failed to provide any real quality in possession before being substituted just after the hour mark. An energetic but ultimately ineffective performance.

Djed Spence - 5.0: A torrid afternoon for Spence, who was the worst performer on the pitch. He was a liability in possession, losing the ball 16 times, and was weak in the challenge, winning only 6 of his 15 duels. His error also led to a shot, summing up a performance he'll want to forget quickly.

Pape Matar Sarr - 7.0: One of the few bright sparks for Tottenham. He was tidy on the ball with a 91% pass accuracy and battled hard, winning six duels and making three interceptions. From our perspective, he showed a level of quality and composure that many of his teammates lacked.

Forwards

Xavi Simons - 5.5: A really disappointing game from the talented attacker. He was completely anonymous, losing every single one of his 12 duels and losing possession 21 times. He had one shot on target early in the second half but offered nothing else. He looked lost.

Randal Kolo Muani - 7.0: He gets his rating for the well-taken goal that briefly brought Spurs level. He was a physical handful for the Arsenal defenders, but his influence faded and he was subbed off after 68 minutes. A decent contribution, but the team needed more.

Manager

I. Tudor - 5.5: His team looked tactically naive, particularly in the second half. The defensive structure was non-existent, and they were carved open far too easily. His substitutions failed to change the course of the game, and he was thoroughly out-thought by his opposite number. A poor showing from the manager.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Tottenham Hotspur

Here are the Arsenal Player Ratings from the Tottenham vs Arsenal Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

David Raya - 7.0: A confident and assured performance. He couldn't do anything about the goal but was otherwise solid, making a key save from Simons. What stood out was his command of his area, with three good high claims and proactive goalkeeping that snuffed out danger.

Defenders

William Saliba - 7.0: The picture of calm at the heart of the defence. He maintained an impressive 90% pass accuracy and was rarely troubled. He should have scored with a header in the first half, but his primary job was done with aplomb. Another classy display.

Piero Hincapié - 7.5: An excellent outing from the full-back. He was a creative force, providing three key passes and creating a big chance. He was also diligent in his defensive duties, winning five duels and making three tackles. A complete performance.

Gabriel Magalhães - 7.5: An absolute colossus. Gabriel won a remarkable nine out of nine duels, completely dominating his battles. He was aggressive, strong, and read the game perfectly. He drew three fouls, frustrating the Spurs' attack all afternoon.

Jurriën Timber - 7.0: Provided the assist for Gyökeres's crucial goal and was a constant source of creativity, making three key passes before his substitution. The yellow card was a slight blemish, but he was a key contributor to the win. Looked very sharp.

Midfielders

Bukayo Saka - 6.5: A strangely subdued day for the captain. He missed two big chances and lost possession 23 times, which is very unlike him. Despite that, he still had five shots and created two chances, proving he's a threat even when not at his brilliant best.

Eberechi Eze - 9.5: The undisputed Man of the Match and highest-rated player. He was simply sensational. Eze scored two crucial goals, took five shots, and was the creative hub of the team. He glided across the pitch with an elegance and confidence that was a joy to watch. A masterclass.

Leandro Trossard - 6.5: A frustrating performance. He got into good positions and had four shots, but his finishing was wayward. He worked hard for the team, making three tackles, but lacked the clinical edge his teammates showed.

Martín Zubimendi - 7.0: The quiet orchestrator in midfield. He kept possession moving with an 81% pass accuracy and provided a solid defensive screen. He didn't do anything spectacular, but his simple, effective play was crucial for Arsenal's control of the game.

Declan Rice - 6.5: It was a mixed bag for Rice. His error led directly to Tottenham's goal, a rare and uncharacteristic mistake. However, he recovered well and was a dominant force defensively, making nine ball recoveries and winning 10 duels. His response to the error showed his strong mentality.

Forwards

Viktor Gyökeres - 9.0: Led the line superbly. His goal to make it 2-1 was a moment of pure quality, a fantastic strike from outside the box, and doubled it up with a fine strike in the end. He was a constant nuisance for the Spurs' defence, working tirelessly and linking up play effectively. An excellent centre-forward performance.

Manager

M. Arteta - 8.0: The manager got his tactics spot on, especially his halftime adjustments. His team came out in the second half with a clear plan and executed it perfectly, taking control of the derby. He managed the game brilliantly once ahead, and his faith in players like Eze paid off handsomely.

Man of the Match

Eberechi Eze was adjudged the man of the match in the Tottenham vs Arsenal game.

Worst Performer

Djed Spence was the worst performer in this Premier League fixture.