Arteta hails Arsenal response as derby win restores belief

• Arsenal thrash Tottenham to move five points clear at the top
• Arteta says Wolves draw left him feeling ashamed and angry
• Gunners record fifth straight north London derby victory

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal showed their character and resilience in a commanding 4-1 victory at Tottenham that restored momentum in the Premier League title race and underlined their credentials as genuine contenders.

After feeling ashamed by the manner in which his side threw away a lead to draw 2-2 with bottom club Wolves in midweek, Arteta challenged his players to respond. They did so in emphatic fashion, producing one of their most complete performances of the season to move five points clear at the summit.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres both scored twice as Arsenal dismantled their rivals, extending a dominant run that now stands at five consecutive league wins over Spurs, their best sequence in the fixture since 1989.

Arteta said the reaction to the Wolves disappointment gave the victory extra meaning.

“It feels like we showed what we are made of,” he said. “But you have to show it again and again. If you judge everything by how you feel after every game, it becomes a massive rollercoaster and that is not sustainable.

“I cannot be prouder of what I saw out there, especially the way we lived the last 72 hours. After what happened against Wolves, losing two points with the last kick of the game, it was tough. You feel angry, upset and at times ashamed. Then you have to bring everybody together, align them and move forward. That process has been a joy.”

Tottenham briefly threatened to disrupt Arsenal’s momentum when Randal Kolo Muani equalised in the 34th minute, but the visitors were relentless after the break. Their three second-half goals overwhelmed Spurs and reasserted Arsenal’s authority in the derby.

The result strengthens Arsenal’s grip on the title race, particularly with Manchester City also winning to keep the pressure high. Both sides now benefit from a rare week without fixtures, offering a chance to recover before the final stretch of the season.

Pep Guardiola joked that his players would spend the break enjoying cocktails before refocusing. Arteta was more measured in his response.

“I do not drink cocktails,” he said. “We will do our own thing. The amount of games we are playing is incredible. This gives us a chance to breathe, analyse what we are doing and go again until the international break. We have a lot of games coming and we need to be ready.”

For Arsenal, the performance in north London offered more than just three points. It provided a statement of intent, a reminder of their durability and a timely surge of belief as the title race enters a decisive phase.