Spurs boss & captain praise Arsenal after 4-1 thrashing

Spurs boss Igor Tudor and team captain Micky van de Ven have conceded that Arsenal were simply the better side on Sunday, with Tudor praising the Gunners as among the world’s best.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Igor Tudor, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, celebrates after Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham Hotspur (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank had a bit of a reputation for being a fan of his team’s local rivals during his time in the job, regularly praising Arsenal as one of the best teams in the world.

The situation all came to a head when Frank was spotted inadvertently holding an Arsenal coffee cup. In the weeks afterwards, Gunners fans regularly chanted that the Spurs manager was an Arsenal Silver Member.

Fortunately for Spurs fans, Frank was sacked before Arsenal could really rub it in at the north London derby. But following another 4-1 defeat to the Gunners on Sunday, new boss Igor Tudor was just as complimentary of their rivals.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: The players of Arsenal celebrate as they show their appreciation to the fans following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

“We didn’t need this game, for sure,” Tudor said. “Arsenal are probably the best team in the world now, in this moment. It was not easy.”

Spurs captain Micky van de Ven was similarly quick to admit that they were second best on Sunday, answering a question about Tottenham’s performance by immediately praising Arsenal.

“I think Arsenal, to be honest, today overall was the better team,” van de Ven said. “But first half we were still in the game at 1-1, and everything can happen. Then two minutes after the second half [started] they scored straight away the 2-1, and then after that it was really difficult.

“But yeah, today they were just the better team and I think they created way more than us.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, celebrates following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Spurs fans may now have to live with the idea that they’ve got another Arsenal fan in the dugout, but the good news is they’re unlikely to see Tudor’s side face the Gunners again in the future.

Tudor has only been appointed until the end of the season, and Spurs can’t face Arsenal again in the Premier League, FA Cup, or League Cup this campaign.

That only leaves the Champions League, but Arsenal finishing first and Spurs finishing fourth in the League Phase means the two teams can’t meet until the semi-final at the earliest, if not the final – depending on the draw this Friday.

It’s unlikely both Arsenal and Spurs will get that far, to put it politely.