Arsenal didn’t just beat Tottenham Hotspur — they out-thought and out-manoeuvred them. The 4–1 score line reflected a game in which structure, spacing, and pressing triggers were executed with near precision.
1. Build-Up Structure & Midfield Superiority
Arsenal’s build-up shape frequently morphed into a 3-2 structure in possession. One full-back inverted to form a double pivot, allowing the other to push high and pin Spurs’ wide player. This created:
- Numerical superiority in central areas
- Safer rest-defence against counterattacks
- Cleaner progression through the first phase
Spurs attempted to press in a mid-block, but Arsenal manipulated it well. The centre-backs split wide, the holding midfielder dropped intelligently, and passing lanes into the half-spaces were consistently available. Tottenham’s front line struggled to screen both pivot options and prevent vertical access at the same time.
2. Exploiting the Half-Spaces
The decisive area of the game was between the Spurs’ full-backs and centre-backs. Arsenal repeatedly targeted these half-spaces with:
- Overlapping runs
- Rotations between winger and No. 8
- Quick third-man combinations
This forced Spurs’ back line into constant indecision: step out and leave space behind, or stay compact and allow time on the ball. Arsenal punished both scenarios.
The first two goals came from exactly this pattern — destabilising Spurs centrally before finishing from high-value zones.
3. Pressing Triggers & Counter-Press
Out of possession, Arsenal pressed in a coordinated 4-4-2 shape, with the striker screening the pivot while curving runs to force play wide. Key triggers included:
- Back passes to centre-backs
- Poor body orientation from Spurs’ full-backs
- Loose first touches in midfield
Once possession was regained, Arsenal attacked immediately. Their counter-press prevented Spurs from launching transitions — usually one of Tottenham’s biggest threats.
4. Spurs’ Structural Issues
Tottenham’s problems stemmed from spacing. Their midfield line became stretched, leaving gaps between defence and midfield. When they tried to commit numbers forward, Arsenal’s rest defence — typically three players behind the ball — controlled the counters comfortably.
Spurs did pull one back, largely from a transitional moment, but it felt isolated rather than systemic.
5. Game Management
After going 3–1 up, Arsenal showed maturity. Rather than chasing chaos, they slowed the tempo, recycled possession, and forced Spurs to expend energy. The fourth goal arrived not from desperation, but from controlled territorial dominance.
🎞 ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS 🎞
— Andrea Katherine (@AndreaKatSTL) February 23, 2026
🟥 Eze and Gyokeres star as the Gunners shoot down the Spurs. #TOTARS 1-4 pic.twitter.com/YvlXx5mRYr
Tactical Summary
- Arsenal dominated the central zones.
- Half-space exploitation was decisive.
- Pressing coordination neutralised Spurs’ transitions.
- Superior rest-defence limited counter risk.
This wasn’t just a derby win — it was a demonstration of structural clarity and tactical cohesion. Arsenal controlled space, tempo, and territory.
