How Ruthless Arsenal Exposed Tottenham’s Defensive Weaknesses

Published: 24 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Arsenal’s commanding performance over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday laid bare the gaps in Spurs’ defence and showcased the Gunners’ ruthlessness in attack, leaving fans and pundits analysing how the north London derby tilted decisively in Mikel Arteta’s favour. The 2‑0 victory at the Emirates Stadium not only boosted Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions but also exposed recurring weaknesses that Tottenham must urgently address.

From the outset, Arsenal’s high press and fluid passing unsettled Tottenham’s backline. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli exploited space between the Spurs centre-backs, forcing errors and creating clear scoring opportunities. Tottenham’s attempts to counter through Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Dejan Kulusevski were largely neutralised by Arsenal’s disciplined midfield, which dominated possession and dictated the tempo.

The match also highlighted Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in transitional moments. Spurs struggled to cover the flanks, leaving full-backs exposed to overlapping runs from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Both goals capitalised on these lapses: the first a clever finish from Saka following a turnover, and the second a precise strike by Martinelli after exploiting a gap left by Spurs’ centre-backs.

Manager Mikel Arteta praised his side’s mental focus and execution. “We knew Tottenham would be tough, but our players were clinical and patient,” he said. “We targeted the spaces we identified in their defensive setup and capitalised when opportunities arose. That’s what separates top teams from the rest.” (arsenal.com)

For Tottenham, Antonio Conte’s side showed flashes of attacking intent but repeatedly fell victim to Arsenal’s organised structure. Conte acknowledged the issues, stating: “We made mistakes that top teams punish. We have to improve defensively and make better decisions under pressure.” Analysts noted that Spurs’ midfield often lacked cohesion, leaving the defence exposed to Arsenal’s quick transitions.

The result has wider implications for the Premier League title race, with Arsenal gaining a crucial six points advantage over their north London rivals in head-to-head contests. Beyond the points, the psychological edge of dominating a direct competitor will be significant as the season enters its critical phase. Spurs now face the challenge of tightening defensive structures and addressing mental lapses before upcoming fixtures against fellow top-six sides.

This north London derby serves as a case study of how ruthless execution, tactical awareness, and seizing transitional moments can expose an opponent’s weaknesses, reaffirming Arsenal’s credentials as genuine title contenders while leaving Tottenham to reflect on what went wrong.

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