EPL: What Tottenham thrashing did for us – Arteta

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s 4–1 win over Tottenham was a huge emotional relief after what he called “72 hours in hell.”

Arsenal returned to winning ways with an impressive performance against their North London rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The victory restored their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City. Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both scored twice to secure the important win.

The win came after Arsenal’s frustrating 2–2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where they lost a two-goal lead.

That result made their title chances more difficult because City could now win the league if they claim victory in their remaining 11 matches.

Arteta admitted the draw left the team feeling angry, upset, and disappointed. However, he and his coaching staff worked hard to lift the players’ spirits before the derby match.

He said he was extremely proud of how the team responded, adding that football is more than just a job for them —

it is their passion and purpose.

Arsenal have not won a major trophy since 2020, and in past seasons they lost strong leads in the title race. Because of this, some people questioned their mental strength.

But this victory showed they can handle pressure. Arteta said when people doubt you, that is when you must stand up and prove yourself.

This was Arsenal’s biggest away league win against Tottenham Hotspur since 1978. It also marked another dominant performance after they beat Spurs 4–1 earlier in the season.

Tottenham’s interim coach Igor Tudor admitted there was a clear gap between the two teams. He said Arsenal were too strong and his team lacked confidence. Tudor recently replaced Thomas Frank and now faces a tough challenge.

Tottenham are only four points above the relegation zone and risk dropping out of the top division for the first time since the 1977–78 season. Tudor said the team must work hard, stay humble, and improve their habits if they want to survive.