Arsenal‘s stuttering start to the new campaign found renewed momentum this weekend, as Mikel Arteta’s side returned to winning ways in a hard-fought clash that once again cast Eberechi Eze as Tottenham Hotspur‘s tormentor-in-chief. In a match loaded with narrative on both sides of north London’s divide, the Gunners steadied their form while Spurs were left to rue familiar frailties and a now recurring nemesis. CBS Sports breaks down how Arsenal reasserted themselves, why Eze continues to thrive against Tottenham, and what this latest twist means for both clubs’ early-season trajectories.
Arsenal rediscover cutting edge in North London derby turning possession into clinical finishing
For the first time in weeks, Arsenal’s dominance of the ball translated into something more tangible than pass-completion statistics. Their attacking structure clicked into place with a precision that had been missing, as quick angle changes and incisive diagonal runs repeatedly stretched Tottenham’s back line.Instead of sterile circulation across the midfield, Arsenal’s forwards attacked the half-spaces with conviction, producing a flurry of chances that showcased a renewed ruthlessness. Key combinations between the wide forwards and overlapping full‑backs forced Spurs to defend facing their own goal, where any hesitation was punished. The result was a performance where the volume of possession finally aligned with the sharpness of the final action.
What stood out most was the variety in Arsenal’s threat, transforming territorial control into a multi-layered offensive plan that unsettled the hosts. Their attacks mixed patient construction with sudden vertical bursts, giving Tottenham little time to reset between phases. The shift was reflected in several key areas:
- Faster tempo in transition – quick release passes into channels instead of recycling backwards.
- Smarter occupation of the box – late-arriving midfield runs adding an extra finisher on cut-backs.
- Set-piece precision – rehearsed routines turning dead-ball situations into high-quality chances.
- Relentless pressing after loss – immediate counter-press preventing Spurs from clearing danger zones.
| Metric | Arsenal | Tottenham |
|---|---|---|
| Shots on Target | 7 | 3 |
| Big Chances Created | 4 | 1 |
| Goals from Open Play | 2 | 1 |
Eberechi Eze extends remarkable scoring streak against Spurs exposing structural flaws in Postecoglou’s press
Once again,it was Eberechi Eze who read Tottenham’s defensive script better than they did themselves. Drifting into the half-spaces that Ange Postecoglou’s advanced full-backs vacate, Eze repeatedly found pockets of grass where he could turn, face goal and carry the ball at an exposed back line. His latest goal against Spurs was no isolated moment of brilliance but the culmination of a pattern that has become increasingly familiar: Palace absorbing pressure, breaking the first wave of the press with one clean pass, and Eze arriving on the scene with the calm of a seasoned marksman. In these transition moments, the gaps between Tottenham’s midfield and defense were not just visible, they were inviting.
The numbers underline how targeted his performance was against Postecoglou’s high-risk structure:
- Touches in the final third: Constantly receiving between the lines, forcing Spurs’ center-backs to step out.
- Progressive carries: Exploiting the channel behind the full-backs, where the press had already been bypassed.
- Shot quality: Crafted from controlled breaks rather than speculative efforts, highlighting Palace’s specific game plan.
| Eze vs Spurs | Figure |
|---|---|
| Goals in last 4 meetings | 3 |
| Shots on target | 2 |
| Successful carries into box | 3 |
| Times fouled | 4 |
Each of those metrics tells the same story: when Spurs commit bodies forward and trust the press to suffocate the opposition,they are betting heavily on timing and cohesion. Eze keeps cashing in each time that gamble falters.
Tottenham’s midfield balance and defensive transitions under scrutiny after repeated collapse between the lines
For all of Spurs’ front-foot intent, the structure behind the ball once again frayed at decisive moments, leaving vast pockets of space for runners like Eberechi Eze to exploit. With the double pivot frequently enough split and the full-backs tucked high and narrow, Arsenal repeatedly found joy threading passes through the half-spaces, dragging Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven into uncomfortable lateral chases. The lack of synchronicity between the midfield screen and the back line created a recurring pattern: the first line of pressure was easily bypassed, the second never arrived in time, and the third – usually Guglielmo Vicario – was left exposed. In key phases, Spurs looked less like a compact block and more like a stretched accordion, inviting line-breaking passes instead of compressing them.
Those flaws were most evident in transitions, where Tottenham’s rest-defence resembled a work in progress rather than a Champions League contender.When possession turned over, the nearest midfielder often pressed vertically without cover, leaving acres behind for Arsenal’s attackers to drive into. That misalignment can be distilled into a few critical shortcomings:
- Poor staggering between the six and eights, allowing simple wall passes to slice through.
- Delayed recovery runs from advanced full-backs, forcing centre-backs into emergency defending.
- Insufficient communication when choosing between stepping up or holding the line in broken play.
| Phase | Spurs Issue | Arsenal Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Build-up loss | Midfield too high | Direct access to Eze |
| Counter-press | No cover shadow | Free third-man runs |
| Retreat phase | Back line exposed | Clean shots from zone 14 |
What Arteta and Postecoglou must adjust before the run in tactical tweaks that could define their seasons
As the North London narrative tightens, both Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou find themselves at a tactical crossroads where minor adjustments could yield major consequences. For Arsenal, the balance between controlled possession and incisive risk-taking remains the key dilemma; they cannot allow sterile domination to blunt their edge in the final third, particularly when game states demand aggression rather than caution. Postecoglou, meanwhile, must learn to bend his principles without breaking them. High lines and relentless build-up are admirable, but without situational pragmatism-especially against elite transition sides-Spurs risk being undone by the very ideology that has made them so watchable. The margin for error is shrinking, and so these coaches must refine, not reinvent, their blueprints.
Several micro-adjustments stand out as perhaps season-defining for both dugouts:
- In-possession structure: Arsenal need more varied rotations between the eights and wingers to avoid predictability, while Spurs must add a reliable Plan B when opponents press their first phase aggressively.
- Pressing triggers: Better synchronization between forwards and midfield lines is vital, ensuring that a high press does not leave exploitable gaps between the lines.
- Set-piece margins: Both sides lean heavily on rehearsed routines; tightening defensive setups on second balls and refining attacking blocks could supply crucial points in tight fixtures.
- Game management: Introducing earlier substitutions to protect leads, or to alter tempo and pressing intensity, will be critical during the congested run-in.
| Team | Key Adjustment | Season Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Sharper final-third rotations | Converts control into goals |
| Tottenham | More flexible defensive line | Reduces vulnerability in transitions |
Closing Remarks
this North London chapter reinforced familiar truths. Arsenal, stung by recent setbacks, rediscovered their edge and the control that has underpinned their best performances under Mikel Arteta. Tottenham, meanwhile, were reminded once more of the threat posed by Eberechi Eze, whose knack for rising to the occasion against Spurs is becoming a recurring subplot in their season.
As the table tightens and the margins grow thinner, results like this carry weight beyond three points. For Arsenal, it is indeed a timely statement that their title ambitions remain intact. For Tottenham, it is indeed another warning that old frailties continue to lurk beneath the surface.And for Eze, it is further evidence that, whenever Spurs are in town, he rarely needs a second invitation to leave his mark.
