Arsenal, the top team globally, demonstrated Tottenham’s ‘standard,’ according to Igor Tudor.
LONDON — Igor Tudor referred to Arsenal as the “best team in the world” following the new Tottenham head coach’s acknowledgment that the Premier League leaders provided his team with a reality check in a 4-1 defeat during the north London derby.
Two goals each from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres ensured a convincing victory for the Gunners, while Randal Kolo Muani offered Spurs a momentary glimmer of hope with a first-half equalizer.
After witnessing his new team suffer a significant loss in his debut match since taking over from the dismissed Thomas Frank earlier this month, Tudor remarked that Spurs had simply been outmatched by the world’s top team.
“Arsenal are now likely the best team in the world at this moment,” Tudor conveyed to reporters. “If we were under the impression today that it’s a derby and we could provide something extra, more mentality and motivation, the reality is that there are aspects you cannot alter in 3-4 training sessions. It’s unfeasible.
“Thus, this was not an ideal team to face in the first match, but we need to find something positive, and today illustrates the level we are at.
“There is a significant disparity between the two teams; Arsenal were too much for us. However, it is beneficial to recognize where we stand — a match that reveals the reality.
“From one perspective, it’s good to realize that we need to change our habits and mindset. That is the only way forward.”
Tudor, who now has 11 league matches to prevent Spurs from being relegated, noted that his players, who have not secured a league victory in 2026, were lacking in confidence.
“Without the ball, a deficiency in confidence is very apparent,” he stated. “I feel very sad, angry, I am experiencing a range of emotions, but it is important to understand our objective and to take things seriously.
“The remedy is to reflect on ourselves, but I observed the desire and passion, so I am not upset because they did not perform, but because they were unable to do so at this time.”
– Arsenal respond to title pressure with emphatic derby victory at Spurs
– Tudor could secure permanent position with victories and attacking play – Tottenham chief Lange
Spurs believed they had equalized for a second time when Kolo Muani scored to make it 2-2 in the second half, but the goal was disallowed due to a push on Arsenal defender Gabriel.
Despite the push seeming minimal, Tudor refrained from contesting the decision to negate the goal.
“Contacting players in the box is always a matter for the referees,” he commented. “They make decisions based on their perspective.”
