Gyokeres reveals honest team meeting helped Arsenal reset ahead of Spurs rout

Viktor Gyokeres believes a team meeting in which Arsenal’s players exchanged frank words with one another was a key factor in Sunday’s 4-1 dismantling of Tottenham.

After letting a 2-0 lead slip away in a damaging draw with the Premier League’s bottom club Wolves, Arsenal looked to be feeling the heat in the title race.

Manchester City cut the Gunners’ lead at the summit to two points when they beat Newcastle United on Saturday, but they issued a perfect response in the north London derby.

Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both scored twice as Arsenal registered their biggest away league win over Spurs since a 5-0 success in December 1978.

Following a slow start to life at the Emirates Stadium, Gyokeres has scored more goals in 2026 across all competitions (eight) than any other Premier League player.

But rather than focus on his own performance, the Swede highlighted the impact of a team meeting in which several players spoke up.

“It’s important sometimes just to say what you feel and to let it all out in the group,” Gyokeres said.

“Most of us spoke. Everyone can recognise how different people feel in the moment and you get a better understanding of the feeling.

Calm. Ready. Gyokeres. pic.twitter.com/U6vbm6syDz

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 23, 2026

“When you speak in the group openly like that, you come closer together and it’s very important to do that sometimes.

“If you’re not honest, I think it’s hard to improve. It was a good chat, we certainly enjoyed today, and now we’re going to prepare for a big game against Chelsea next weekend.”

Arsenal have played one additional game compared to City, but the Opta supercomputer still makes them strong title favourites with an 83.4% probability, with Pep Guardiola’s men overhauling them in 15.8% of scenarios.