Tudor: Arsenal showed Tottenham 'where they need to be'

Igor Tudor believes Arsenal showed Tottenham "where we need to be" after another thumping 4-1 north London derby loss to their neighbours.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both scored twice as Arsenal opened up a five-point lead at the Premier League summit, though Spurs had drawn level after the former's opener through Randal Kolo Muani.

And the Frenchman had a second potential equaliser ruled out for a foul on Gabriel Magalhaes before he neatly turned home.

Tudor became the first Spurs boss to lose their first Premier League game in charge since Andre Villas-Boas in August 2012, with each of the previous nine (including interims/caretakers) going unbeaten (W6 D3).

Spurs were second-best to Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, recording just six shots worth 0.8 expected goals (xG) to the Gunners' 1.9 from 20 attempts, and Tudor admitted they have work to do to turn things around.

"I'm sad because we didn't do enough. Arsenal were much better," he told Sky Sports.

"There was too much gap between the two teams. Even the physical problems we made to make 11 players [on the pitch] plus three [substitutes].

"It's good to see this kind of team, to show us where we need to be because we struggle in a lot of things. Psychologically, we need to come out of this moment; the only way is work. Stay quiet, stay humble. And look in the future day by day, growing and growing day by day and week. It's too strong in this moment.

"We need to work. There were too many bad habits in the past. Each of us, each part of the team, needs to look at ourselves, grow and be humble. It's all about work. We need to run more, work, win duels and second balls. We prepare this for four or five days, but they were faster.

"The players showed their passion, they wanted to run, and they wanted to do. But we pressed high and don't arrive and take the ball, they are stronger, they have more power and energy. They believe more, that's the key in the end. That's it. Take the lessons."

Only Wolves (10) have lost more home games in Europe’s big-five leagues this season than Spurs (eight), who remain the only winless team in the Premier League in 2026 (P9 D4 L5).

Across their two matches against Arsenal this season, Spurs have recorded just nine shots (also three away) as they struggled to test Mikel Arteta's side.

But even with a genuine relegation threat closing in on Spurs, who sit just four points above the drop zone, Tudor believes his side have enough to get away from danger.

"Of course, I am confident [they will not be relegated]," he added. "These are players who are a good group with bad habits.

"Nobody can tell me we don't have quality. But we need to change, a mental switch, and have this mental sharpness to be in the game from the first and second minutes. And have the physicality.

"One or two players did not have good moments, but today it can happen. Too many players had problems. That's the result."