Eze proves to be Tottenham’s nemesis again as Arsenal continues Premier League title bid

Eberechi Eze timed his return to the Arsenal scoresheet to perfection with two goals in a 4-1 derby rout of ​Tottenham Hotspur that calmed his side’s Premier League title nerves on Sunday.

The forward had ‌not scored since a hat-trick in the reverse fixture in November ​but struck in each half while Viktor Gyokeres also netted twice ⁠as Arsenal moved five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

Eze, who almost signed for Tottenham last August, volleyed in a 32nd-minute opener only for Randal Kolo Muani to equalise two ‌minutes later after a mistake by Declan Rice.

Gyokeres restored Arsenal’s lead shortly after the interval with a sublime curler and Eze’s second, a ‌tap-in, gave his side breathing space. Gyokeres then capped a fine display ‌with ⁠his second goal sealing the deal in stoppage time.

Victory lifted Arsenal ⁠to 61 points from 28 games with City, which has played a game fewer, on 56. Tottenham, for whom new manager Igor Tudor was in charge for the first time, remains in 16th ​place, only four points above the ‌relegation zone.

Successive draws against Brentford and bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers, the latter after leading 2-0, had raised the spectre of Arsenal allowing a first Premier League title since 2004 to slip through its fingers.

City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle ‌on Saturday had cranked up the pressure, so a visit to a ​woefully out-of-form Tottenham, which have not won in the league in 2026, suddenly looked like a treacherous assignment.

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Tottenham did show some ⁠of the fight Tudor had promised and gave Arsenal some anxious moments, but Eze’s timely brace meant Mikel Arteta’s side would now be breathing easier.

Arsenal dominated the opening ‌half an hour with Gyokeres going close before Eze showed great athleticism to volley past Guglielmo Vicario after a cross from Bukayo Saka bounced up.

Tottenham was gifted a way back from an unlikely source as the usually reliable Rice dallied in his own area and was dispossessed by Kolo Muani who drove a shot past David Raya to send the home fans into delirium.

After a comically delayed ‌start to the second half caused by a failure of the match officials’ communications, the second ​of the game, Tottenham had an early chance through Xavi Simons.

But Arsenal soon took charge.

Gyokeres, for whom the goals are at last ⁠beginning to flow, was allowed too much time to control Jurrien Timber’s pass before ⁠firing right-footed past Vicario.

Eze, who joined Arsenal for 67 million pounds (USD 90.28 million) having looked certain to sign for Spurs, made it five goals in ‌two games against Tottenham, firing in from close range after poor defending, much to the derision of the home fans.

By the time Gyokeres struck again ​in stoppage time, the celebrating Arsenal fans were already in full voice.

Published on Feb 23, 2026