Both Igor Tudor and Mikel Arteta appeared to fall foul of PGMOL rules during the North London derby, though only one of them faced a warning.
Tottenham entered Sunday’s encounter in urgent need of points, hovering just four above the drop zone. Former Spurs target Eberechi Eze opened the scoring for Arsenal, before Randal Kolo Muani quickly equalised for the hosts. Viktor Gyokeres restored Arsenal’s lead soon after the interval, and Eze added his second to put the visitors firmly in control.
During the match, journalist Alasdair Gold observed that both managers repeatedly stepped outside their technical areas — a breach of league regulations. However, only Tudor was cautioned by the fourth official, while Arteta avoided any sanction.
Arteta has developed a reputation for frequently leaving his designated area during games, yet he is seldom punished. Tudor being reprimanded in his first match at the helm, while Arteta went unchallenged, has sparked debate over inconsistent officiating.
Gold posted on X that Tudor was warned for persistently straying from his technical area, even though Arteta was doing the same on the opposite touchline.
Tottenham’s difficulties deepened with the defeat — their fifth in seven league outings. They now sit 16th, just two points clear of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, while West Ham United remain two points further back in 18th.
The result strengthened Arsenal’s push for the title, whereas Spurs must now prepare for a pivotal away trip to Fulham next Sunday, followed by a home meeting with Crystal Palace four days later. Dropped points in those fixtures could leave them entrenched in the relegation battle.
Gyokeres’ stoppage-time strike completed a 4–1 victory for Arsenal, matching the scoreline from the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign. While Arsenal continue their pursuit of a first league title since 2004, Tottenham’s season has spiralled.
After ending a 17-year wait for silverware by lifting the Europa League last term, Spurs have since parted ways with Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank, leaving Tudor with the task of guiding the club through the remainder of the season.
Although Tottenham retain a slim cushion above the bottom three, their recent performances offer little encouragement. In contrast, West Ham have recorded three wins and two draws from their last six matches. Unless Spurs reverse their slump quickly, the threat of relegation could soon become a genuine concern.
