SBOTOP : After 1-4 Derby Loss, Tudor Calls Arsenal the Best Team in the World and Assesses Tottenham’s Level

Tottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor faced a harsh reality check after his team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday (22/2/2026). Despite the heavy loss, Tudor refused to look for excuses and instead praised Arsenal as possibly the best team in the world, while acknowledging that the result highlighted the current level of Spurs.

The match, played at the Emirates Stadium, saw Arsenal dominate from start to finish. Two goals from Eberechi Eze and two from Viktor Gyökeres secured a comfortable victory for the Gunners. Tottenham briefly offered hope when Randal Kolo Muani scored in the first half to equalize, but it was a fleeting moment of optimism for the home side.

Arsenal Proves Their World-Class Status

For Tudor, the result was bitter, especially as it marked his debut as Tottenham manager following Thomas Frank’s dismissal earlier this month. However, he emphasized that the defeat was not merely a tactical issue, but a reflection of the quality gap between the two teams.

“Arsenal now might be the best team in the world at the moment,” Tudor told reporters. “If we thought today was just a derby and we could add extra mentality and motivation, the reality is that there are things you cannot change in three or four training sessions. It’s impossible.”

He acknowledged the immense challenge of facing a top-tier team in his first game:

“So, this isn’t the perfect team to face in a first match, but we needed something good and today showed me the level,” Tudor explained. “There’s a huge gap between the teams, too much Arsenal for us. But it’s good to understand where we are now; this match showed reality.”

Learning from a Difficult Debut

Tudor viewed the derby defeat as a valuable starting point for evaluation. The heavy loss offered clarity on what Spurs need to improve, both in mindset and playing style.

“It’s good, in a way, to understand that we have to change habits, change patterns of thought. That’s the only way to work,” he said.

The Croatian manager emphasized that his role now involves guiding Tottenham through introspection and gradual improvement. “The remedy is self-reflection, but I see the will and desire from the players. I’m not angry because they don’t want to do it, but because they are not yet able to do it at the moment,” Tudor added.

Tottenham Faces Relegation Threat

With only 11 league matches remaining, Tudor is acutely aware of the uphill battle to save Tottenham from the threat of relegation. Spurs have yet to register a league win in 2026, and Tudor noted that players’ confidence has been noticeably low.

“Without the ball, the lack of confidence is very visible,” he said. “I am very sad, very angry, I feel everything, but it’s important to understand our goals and to be serious.”

The manager stressed the importance of rebuilding mindset and morale to overcome the crisis, knowing that the remaining fixtures will be decisive for Tottenham’s Premier League survival.

Controversy Over Disallowed Goal

During the second half, Tottenham thought they had pulled the score back to 2-2 when Kolo Muani scored again. However, the goal was disallowed for an alleged push on Arsenal defender Gabriel.

Tudor, however, chose not to dwell on the decision, accepting the referee’s call. “Touching a player in the penalty area is always up to the referee,” he said. “They make the decision based on what they see.”

The incident did little to shift Tudor’s focus from the bigger picture: understanding Spurs’ level relative to one of the strongest sides in world football.

Conclusion

Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal was a sobering reminder of the gap between the teams, but Igor Tudor’s candid assessment highlights a clear vision for improvement. By acknowledging Arsenal’s world-class quality, Tudor set a realistic benchmark for Spurs while emphasizing the need for introspection, discipline, and gradual development.

Despite the challenging start, Tudor remains committed to guiding Tottenham through the remainder of the season, focusing on rebuilding confidence and addressing tactical deficiencies. With 11 league matches left, Spurs face a critical period where learning from defeats like the North London derby could become the foundation for survival and long-term growth.

This derby loss is a reality check, but Tudor’s approach suggests that Spurs can navigate this challenging period with a structured plan and a focus on elevating their level to compete with elite teams.

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