Arsenal

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Declan Rice is hindered by how much he wants to win, former England captain Wayne Rooney has said after Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 on Sunday.

Rice made an error for Spurs' equalising goal in the first half of the north London derby, and Rooney thinks the midfielder needs to compose himself.

"It was a mistake and you make mistakes on the pitch," the former Manchester United forward said on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"The amount of times we've seen him wriggle out of a tight situation like that or pass through it, but I think it was because he got the team all together right after the goal that probably highlights the mistake a little bit more.

"With Declan, watching him over the past four weeks, he's getting more animated. He wants to win that much that sometimes it's not helping him.

"I was exactly the same - but take a deep breath and compose yourself and that will help him in this run-in. And I mean that as a compliment - he wants to win that much that after a bad result it's probably eating him up and you can see his frustration. Just take a deep breath."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Spurs fans

Alan: Put in whatever manager you like, the problem is the mediocre players purchased who are not Premier League quality. We seem to buy anyone to plug the gap but it will never work - we need class players like we've had in the past, but we won't attract them in the Championship.

Dan: What I expected really, much of the same from the past two seasons. Moments of hope and positive flashes, but mainly negative football and silly decisions. I doubt even Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp could make this current group of players perform well. If you had a team of workers in an office job who turned up each week and spent their day just mooching about the office, occasionally tapping some keys of the computer but producing nothing, they'd be sacked for failing to do what they're employed to do. Spurs are literally doing the equivalent of this on the pitch.

Tristen: Playing three at the back is suicidal. Playing too many players out of their natural positions is also comical. This game was a free hit as fans weren't expecting a win, but a proper system and structure is the minimum we should have got out this game. On this system and style, we are favourites for relegation.

Fran: Shocking display from Spurs... Archie Gray too weak, Djed Spence keeps losing the ball. No real fight. Can't see a way out of it.

Arsenal fans

Giso: Arsenal's mentality will make them win the title because they played against Spurs like nothing went wrong in the previous game.

Vince: A great result but let's not get carried away. This was a Spurs team missing key players through injury and unsurprisingly clunky in possession. Arsenal, meanwhile, were allowed to play their usual game - which they weren't allowed to at Brentford and Wolves and see what happened there. Still, it's a brilliant confidence booster for Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres and renews that all-important belief that this might be the season Arsenal cross the finish line first.

Helen: What's the earliest St Totteringham's day could be this year?

Tim: Another one-sided north London derby. The 4-1 scoreline really flattered Spurs. A very dominant performance and important to bounce back with three big points. Hard to name individuals in such a strong team performance, but Declan Rice, Eze and Gyokeres were immense, and that is not to mention the defence and David Raya. Onwards...

There have been times in the past when you are playing Arsenal that Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are the two players you know you need to stop.

If they could condense play in their areas, teams would think they could control them - and if it goes over to another part of the pitch, they can cope with it.

On Sunday, however, it felt like Arsenal were coming from every angle in the end. Eberechi Eze, especially, was getting on the ball in these pockets of space in front of the Tottenham defence.

That helped Viktor Gyokeres too, because it meant there was more room for him.

Gyokeres had started well anyway, and had a great early chance which he made himself.

It probably helped that he had a yard of pace on Radu Dragusin, who is not the quickest defender, but he played on him nicely and it was clever of him to stay on the left side.

I remember watching a lot of Gyokeres' goals for Sporting and he liked to come off that flank a lot, and we have not seen him do it enough this season.

That might change now and, when he got his first goal, it was like the weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Some of the Arsenal fans who are not convinced by him are going to be more on his side now he has scored twice against Spurs, and his goals were top quality too.

I'd say that was one of his best games in an Arsenal shirt and to do it in a north London derby will do him the world of good.

Read more of Murphy's analysis here

Arsenal and Chelsea are pushing Barcelona hard in the chase for Atletico Madrid's 26-year-old Argentina forward Julian Alvarez. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, the Gunners are ahead of both Manchester City and Newcastle United in the race to sign Sporting's 21-year-old Spanish defender Ivan Fresneda. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Fresneda's arrival could see 28-year-old England defender Ben White leave north London. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United are the frontrunners to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's 22-year-old Germany defender Nathaniel Brown this summer. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Danny Murphy and Shay Given join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 1-3 Fulham

• Crystal Palace 1-0 Wolves

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool

• Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Eberechi 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 Mikel Arteta with Gyokeres, who has had his critics, adding two fine finishes of his own.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Sport: "Really happy, really proud about how we approached the game. The initiative and the quality we showed to come here and win the game in the way that we did.

"That is the beauty of football. When you look back at the game against Wolves, how did we draw that game from there? I was out with them every day and I know how much they want it."

On Viktor Gyokeres: "He was outstanding today, I thought. There have been glimmers of it every week but today, I thought he was fantastic."

On Eberechi Eze: "He had that belief and I'm really happy with him. He's really trying to mold and adapt into what we want from him.

"This is the Premier League, it will go all the way for sure. Ten games in the Premier League is a long way."

Arsenal goalscorer Eberechi Eze, speaking to Sky Sports: "Today it's worked out, we thank God for it. We put in a good performance. We did what we needed to do today, which was the main thing."

On whether this was a response to dropping points: "Yeah, for sure that's the main thing. We know what we're capable of. We have to play games to dominate and to win and we've got the players in the team to do it. Important win for us and we keep going."

On his two goals: "I'm always trying to get in those positions to be ready and to find the space and to work hard to get those opportunities. It takes a lot to get there and it's worked out today."

On Viktor Gykeres' performance: "Vik was hoping that all game. You can see how much he helps the team. Not just with his goals, with the effort he puts in and he puts players like me in good positions and it helps a lot, and he's got his two goals today which he deserves for sure."

Did you know?

• Viktor Gyokeres has scored more goals in 2026 across all competitions than any other Premier League player, with eight of his 15 total goals for the Gunners coming this calendar year.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Igor Tudor names Randal Kolo Muani as his striker in his first Spurs team with Palhinha in midfield. Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are on the bench.

Tottenham starting XI: Vicario, Gray, Dragusin, Van de Den, Spence, Bissouma, Palhinha, Sarr, Gallagher, Simons, Muani

Subs: Austin, Richarlison, Tel, Solanke, Souza, Oluesi, Williams-Barnett, Rowswell, Wilson

Mikel Arteta has made just two changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Wolves in midweek. Leandro Trossard comes in with Eberechi Eze starting as Arsenal's number 10.

Eze scored a hat-trick when these two played earlier in the season and the Gunners will be hoping that Eze can repeat that performance today.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Jesus, Odegaard, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Nottingham Forest v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Tottenham v Arsenal (16:30 GMT) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the 14:00 games here

And go here for Tottenham v Arsenal

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Fulham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Spurs v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

From what I've read about new Tottenham manager Igor Tudor, he is a guy who goes in at clubs and, in the short term, gets a turn out of his team.

Spurs really need that to happen now, because they desperately need a win or two to get out of reach of relegation.

So, this game is big for them for that reason, and also because they can put another dent in Arsenal's title hopes too.

Spurs and their fans have not had a lot to shout about this season, but if they can get something here then this could be a defining moment in their campaign, and affect Arsenal as well. They would love that.

It was an incredible wobble by Mikel Arteta's team against Wolves, drawing 2-2 after being 2-0 up, and I certainly didn't see it coming.

Maybe it is getting to be 'squeaky bum time' for them, but it didn't affect them when they went away to Leeds a couple of weeks ago and won convincingly.

You can imagine how Spurs will be champing at the bit, and I am expecting them to make a fast start and have a real go at them - but Arsenal have to deal with that, and find a way of bouncing back.

I think the Gunners can do that, and their quality will make the difference in the end. I worry about Spurs in forward areas and it will be interesting to see how Tudor lines them up in defence too.

Ultimately, if Arsenal turn up and play how we know they can, then they will win - and I am expecting them to make a real statement.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Scarlet Katz Roberts
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The north London derby is now a referendum on both sides.

If Arsenal lose, the 'bottlejob' narrative will be undeniable. If Spurs lose, they will be dragged into the relegation conversation.

Despite our best efforts, we've joined them in the 'next game is a cup final' trenches.

It feels a bit like Manchester City's visit to Anfield a few short weeks ago. In Spurs' case, victory could be the perfect tonic after a season of catastrophic mediocrity. I'm sure they will be licking their lips at the opportunity to derail our title charge by winning for once!

I'm not across their latest injury crisis, but I still think Tottenham have the quality to cause problems. Xavi Simons looks a busy technician, and Dominic Solanke is at least 'a proper striker' - whatever that is. Micky van de Ven is an able centre-back and Spurs will be without Cristian Romero, which might help them, as he is a walking red card in the form of an Argentine pseudo-hardman.

While it's been endlessly funny watching Tottenham get things wrong, good times don't last forever. Thomas Frank isn't a bad guy, but he couldn't help falling prey to the usual 'Spursiness'.

With the atmosphere at White Hart Lane threatening to tip into apathy, what would 3,000 away fans singing "Arsenal boys, we're on a bender, Thomas Frank is a silver member" have done?

It was a pitiful showing at the Emirates in November. Add to that the fact Frank wouldn't stop talking about how good Arsenal were and you'd have the perfect storm.

All of which is to say, for Spurs, anything is better than that.

I don't know much about Igor Tudor apart from the fact he was sacked by Juventus. He'll have plenty of time to cook up a plan, though, with Spurs having 12 days off before the game.

The rest of the league will be watching, poised to laugh at whoever comes off worse.

It will probably be a draw.

Find more from Scarlet Katz Roberts at the Goal Difference podcast, external

Scroll down this page for the fan view from the Spurs side of the divide, published on Friday morning.

Bardi
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

With the north London derby looming, Tottenham fans are reaching for the cliches. "Form goes out of the window", a "new manager bounce", or "anything can happen".

Never before has the gulf in a north London derby appeared so wide, but even with the abyss looming, hope does start to gnaw away at you. The thought... "could we?" is already starting to form in the back of my mind.

I'm very familiar with the gulf between Arsenal and Tottenham. Most of my childhood was spent in its presence. Every Monday morning returning to school in north London, I'd have to endure the taunts from that cocky lot.

But things did change. For most of my adulthood, it has been a pothole and occasionally non-existent. But then, thanks to one man, Vinai Venkatesham, we're back in the mid-90s, where our chances rest on nothing more than a 'fool's hope'.

Our CEO loves to pat himself on the back for his 'job well done' down the road, while fully ignoring the bonfire at N17. Vinai has brought back the dark days with some aplomb.

We're five points away from relegation and so frightened of what might happen that we've parachuted in a relegation-saving expert.

This is not a north London derby I'm looking forward to - but still, it is littered with possibility.

Both clubs approach this game with an opportunity to make a statement.

For Arsenal, it's a chance to show they have the fortitude to finally win a two-way title race, especially after the setback at Wolves. For Spurs, it's about changing course.

Igor Tudor's first game against 'them lot' offers him the opportunity to build some optimism and put some distance between us and the Championship.

In my lifetime, I've seen some wonderful north London derby fixtures and some absolute disasters.

Right now, I'm not sure what road this one is on, because we all know "form goes out of the window" - or so my side of the divide hopes.

Find more from Bardi at The Extra Inch - a Spurs podcast, external

Come back on Saturday for the fan view from the Arsenal side of the rivalry.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal technical director James Ellis has left the club just seven months after taking the position.

Ellis was promoted into the role from his previous position as head of recruitment last summer, but will now leave the Emirates Stadium.

The club has undergone an internal restructuring in recent months.

Andrea Berta has taken over as sporting director, replacing Jason Ayto, who left last summer.

In November, BBC Sport revealed Napoli head of scouting Maurizio Micheli had joined the club in a senior recruitment role.

Ellis's exit is the latest in a growing line of developments within the inner workings at the Emirates.

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 16:30).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• No fresh injury concerns, and there is "a real possibility" that Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are available against Spurs.

• On Bukayo Saka's new contract: "He is one of our own, for him to make that decision is a really positive thing."

• On the draw at Wolves: "This is one chapter, chapter 27 says we draw against Wolves. What I'm interested in is the next one, how do we write our own destiny? Life moves on. There's nothing we can do about the result, what we can do is focus on the next one."

• Arteta was asked about a piece of social media content that Wolves shared which mocked Arsenal's time-wasting before the equaliser: "I read the press conference of Rob [Edwards], the manager, before the game. He thinks that we are the best team in the league by far. I'm much more interested about that than any other thing that I don't know who posts or whatever, especially because I don't read it."

• On whether Spurs is the perfect next game: "It is the next game and it's the one we cannot wait to play. We'd love to play today, to get that feeling in our tummies and use it in the right way. We'll have to show up on Sunday."

• Arteta was asked about facing a team coached by a new manager, and he said: "It has happened to us seven times already this season. We will have the capacity to adapt but the main focus is on what we have to do to win."

• When asked whether he would support his players leaving the pitch if racially abused, Arteta said: "Everyone is aware of the protocols. There is no room for racism in this sport. You have to go case by case to understand what is the best option."

• On whether there is cause to be worried about their season: "We have to live in the present. The present is beautiful. We're exactly where we want to be in every competition and what is there to play? We need to earn it like we have done in the last seven or eight months."

• On what he, as manager, must do: "To keep calm, to keep my eyes and ears open. To understand what the players need to give the best. That's it."

You can listen to full commentary of Spurs v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

The last time Arsenal won five Premier League games in a row against Tottenham was between January 1987 and January 1989. The recent history does not make promising reading for Spurs fans before the north London derby, but what else do the stats say...

• Spurs have lost their past three league home games against Arsenal, as many as they had in their previous 23 (W10 D10). They last lost four in a row against them between 1952 and 1955.

• Since their last league defeat against Spurs in May 2022, the Gunners have lost just one of their 21 away London derby matches in the Premier League (W14 D6), going down 2-1 at Fulham in December 2023.

• This will be Igor Tudor's first match as Spurs boss. The only manager whose first ever game in charge of Tottenham was in a match against Arsenal is Glenn Hoddle, who lost 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April 2001.

• Tudor, however, has won his first match in charge in each of his past five spells at a club, starting with his second spell at Hajduk Split in February 2020 (and with Verona, Marseille, Lazio and Juventus since).

• Gunners midfielder Eberechi Eze has scored six goals in his past four Premier League appearances against Spurs (including three in two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), netting a hat-trick in his first appearance against them for Arsenal in November's reverse fixture.

Newcastle's England winger Anthony Gordon, 24, says he will not let transfer speculation affect him after being linked with Liverpool and Arsenal. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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