At a glance

  • Eberechi Eze puts Arsenal ahead from close range

  • Randal Kolo Muani levels in interim Spurs manager Igor Tudor's first game in charge

  • Viktor Gyokeres restores Arsenal's lead with a spectacular 20-yard finish two minutes after half-time

  • Eze pounces in the penalty area for his second goal

  • Gyokeres gives the scoreline an even more emphatic look with his second in stoppage time

  • PLAYER RATINGS

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Eberechi Eze was Tottenham Hotspur's tormentor again as Arsenal made a title statement of intent by restoring their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points with victory in the north London derby.

The pressure was on the Gunners after they lost a two-goal lead at relegation certainties Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, while Manchester City closed the gap with victory over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

Spurs had high hopes of turning up the heat further in interim manager Igor Tudor's first game in charge, but Arsenal simply possessed too much class and threat for their struggling arch-rivals.

And Eze, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 north London derby win in November, was his side's spearhead again with goals either side of the interval.

Eze, who was on the point of joining Spurs when Arsenal clinched a £60m deal with Crystal Palace in August, put Arsenal in front from close-range after 32 minutes.

Randal Kolo Muani produced a fine solo effort for Spurs' equaliser two minutes later, only for the much-maligned Viktor Gyokeres to restore Arsenal's advantage with a clinical 20-yard finish with his right foot just after half-time.

Unlike at Wolves, where Arsenal sat on their lead with catastrophic results, Mikel Arteta's pace-setters continued to press, adding the third after 61 minutes when Eze picked up a loose ball in the area to sweep a finish past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Spurs had no answer as Arsenal remained in control, Gyokeres outmuscling Archie Gray to score his second in the closing moments of stoppage time to seal an emphatic win.

Eberechi Eze celebrates with Piero Hincapie after putting Arsenal ahead at Spurs.Getty Images

Eberechi Eze celebrates with Piero Hincapie after putting Arsenal ahead at Spurs

Arsenal analysis: Eze fires up Gunners title charge

Eze's Arsenal career had gone into something of a dip since he made himself a hero with that treble against Spurs in December – but what a time for the 27-year-old England forward to bounce back to his best.

Since that hat-trick, Eze had featured in all 15 of Arsenal's subsequent league games, but had made only four starts and played 360 minutes before this derby.

And, under the watchful eye of England head coach Thomas Tuchel, he delivered a reminder of his quality with perfect timing, just when Arsenal needed it most.

The pressure was on the Gunners after that Molineux slip, with Manchester City scenting blood and Arsenal's nerve under pressure being questioned once more.

The fact that the examination came at Spurs who, despite their struggles, had new manager Tudor on the sidelines, made the assignment potentially more hazardous.

Arsenal were set back when Spurs equalised, but this was a calm and highly-competent display which will be even more pleasing for Arteta with Gyokeres, who has had his critics, adding two fine finishes of his own.

Gyokeres performance 'incredible' - Arteta

Spurs analysis: Tudor's task made brutally clear

Tudor's plain speaking made it clear he was under no illusions about the job in front of him after succeeding sacked Thomas Frank to take charge of Spurs until the end of the season.

And if any illusions remained, they were banished by the ease with which Spurs were swept aside by Arsenal.

Kolo Muani's bustling equaliser offered some hope, but once his side fell behind early in the second half, the game was effectively over as a contest.

The home side never lacked endeavour, but this depleted squad was no match for Arsenal, the gulf in class between the teams brutally exposed.

Tudor returns to the training ground with a genuine relegation fight on his hands as Spurs now lie 16th, four points above the bottom three.

This was a painful introduction for the Croatian and, on this evidence, there may be more pain to come before matters improve, as they will have to do.

What's next for these teams?

Arsenal's next game is at home to Chelsea on Sunday, 1 March, (16:30 GMT), while Spurs travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on the same day (14:00).

Player of the match

V. Gyökeres
8.14
39 R. Kolo Muani
4.96
37 M. van de Ven
4.52
1 G. Vicario
4.47
14 A. Gray
4.38
3 R. Drăgușin
4.27
8 Y. Bissouma
4.21
7 X. Simons
4.17
29 P. Sarr
4.17
24 D. Spence
4.12
6 João Palhinha
4.12
22 C. Gallagher
4.09
19 D. Solanke
3.63
9 Richarlison
3.46
11 M. Tel
3.29
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