Mikel Arteta excited with Arsenal’s ruthless 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby.
The Arsenal manager admitted his side felt “angry” and “ashamed” following their damaging 2-2 draw at Wolves on Wednesday, but he praised his players for responding in emphatic fashion.
“I cannot be prouder and happier from what I saw out there, especially how we lived the last 72 hours,” Arteta said. “You have to lift yourself up because you are feeling angry, ashamed, upset. This is our passion.”
Doubles from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres sealed Arsenal’s biggest away league win at Spurs since 1978. It was also the second time this season the Gunners had beaten their rivals by three or more goals, underlining their superiority across both derbies.
The victory restored Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the Premier League and kept the pressure firmly on champions Manchester City.
After surrendering a two-goal advantage at Wolves, Arteta said the mood in the camp had been flat. “There is no explanation for how we drew that game,” he admitted. “When people are doubting, you have to stand up. We showed what we are made of.”
Arteta even joined supporters on the pitch at full-time as Arsenal celebrated in front of a jubilant away end, with many Spurs fans having already left.
For Tottenham’s interim head coach Igor Tudor, it was a harsh lesson. “There was a big gap between the teams,” Tudor said. “Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world. They were too much for us in this moment.”
Spurs remain just four points above the relegation zone, and Tudor admitted confidence is fragile. “The only key is to work day by day and be humble. The medicine is to look in the mirror and try to change the habits.”
On derby day, however, it was Arteta’s Arsenal who showed resilience, quality and belief when it mattered most.
