Igor Tudor makes huge Arsenal claim after Tottenham thrashed in derby debut | OneFootball

New Spurs boss echoes predecessor Thomas Frank with assessment of Premier League leaders

Igor Tudor called Arsenal “probably the best team in the world” after Tottenham’s latest emphatic defeat in the north London derby.

Tottenham were level at 1-1 at the break after a quick reply to Eze’s opener from Randal Kolo Muani, who also saw a would-be equaliser for 2-2 ruled out after half-time for a push on Gabriel before a familiar collapse followed from the hosts, whose relegation fears deepened on another dismal afternoon that prolonged their winless Premier League run in 2026.

It was a 12th league defeat of the season for injury-plagued Spurs, who remain only two places and four points above the bottom three in 16th with 11 matches still to play this season after rivals West Ham drew 0-0 with Bournemouth on Saturday evening.

For Arsenal, it was a much-needed win following another title wobble that saw them restore their advantage at the top-flight summit to five points over in-form Carabao Cup final opponents Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

Tudor, brought in as a short-term replacement for the sacked Thomas Frank, was honest with his assessment of both teams after another derby day to forget for Tottenham, saying he had seen “the truth” about his new side and a squad featuring “good players with bad habits”.

He also followed predecessor Frank by labelling Arsenal as undoubtedly among the very best teams on the planet.

"We need more time to be in a physical moment and physical situation where we can go strong and take the ball. Now we are not in that moment," the Croatian told Sky Sports.

"Even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very evident in the team. We wanted and prepared to do the things but there is an opponent, there is a reality today.

“I'm very sad and very angry and everything, but in one way it is also good to understand where our goal is. What is the goal of this club? What is the goal of this team? What is the goal of this coach, these players, this staff?

"To become serious. Serious, not just a group of 20 players, and the medicine is you look in the mirror. Each of us look in the mirror and really try, really start to change the habits.

"We didn't need this game for sure. Arsenal are probably the best team now in the world so it was not easy.

"I also played a lot of derbies and as a coach, they give you something more like mentality or motivation but there are also other things that you cannot change in the three or four training sessions - it's impossible."