Arsenal reasserted their dominance in the Premier League title race on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with a clinical 4-1 North London Derby victory. While the scoreline reflects the Gunners’ superior quality, the true story of the match lay in how Mikel Arteta exploited the tactical vulnerabilities of Igor Tudor’s new-look Tottenham.
The Tudor Experiment: Why the 3-5-2 Failed
Making his managerial debut for Spurs, Igor Tudor opted for a bold 3-5-2 formation. Unlike previous regimes that favored a low block, Tudor’s side attempted to press high—a decision that ultimately left massive gaps for Arsenal to exploit.
- Space in Transition: By pushing wing-backs high, Spurs left their back three exposed to Arsenal’s rapid transitions.
- Reactive Defending: Tottenham struggled to track the “ghosting” runs of Eberechi Eze, who found pockets of space between the midfield and defensive lines to net two crucial goals.
Right-Side Dominance: Saka and Timber’s Masterclass
The area where Arsenal held the most significant edge was down their right-hand side. The partnership between Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber has become the most feared duo in the league, and they were at their “dominant best” at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
- Overlapping Threat: Jurrien Timber’s intelligence allowed him to mix his runs, sometimes supporting Saka as a traditional wing-back and other times inverting to create a central overload.
- The Saka Gravity: Bukayo Saka’s ability to draw two defenders opened the “half-space” for Viktor Gyökeres, who capitalized on a Timber cross to restore Arsenal’s lead early in the second half.
“We were clever with the way we moved them,” Arteta noted post-match. “When they decided not to sit in, we knew exactly where the space would be. Bukayo and Jurrien have an understanding that is very hard to coach.”
Premier League Title Race: The Gap Widens (As of Feb 23, 2026)
| Team | Played | GD | Points | Status |
| Arsenal | 28 | +35 | 61 | 1st Place |
| Man City | 27 | +30 | 56 | 2nd Place |
