North London is red again — but beneath the fireworks, tensions are simmering.
Arsenal’s 4-1 demolition of Tottenham on Sunday (23 February 2026) should have been a night of pure celebration. A ruthless derby display. A five-point cushion restored at the top of the Premier League. A statement to Manchester City, who still have a game in hand away at Leeds.
Instead, the spotlight has shifted from the scoreline to one man: Eberechi Eze.
And not everyone is convinced.
The £67.5million summer signing — who famously chose Arsenal over Spurs — opened the scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before adding another in a blistering performance. Viktor Gyokeres struck twice, sealing the rout, and Declan Rice’s brief error that allowed Spurs to equalise was quickly forgotten amid Arsenal’s dominance.
On paper, it was the perfect response to a shaky run of form.
But former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has poured cold water on the Eze hype — and his assessment is anything but gentle.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast, Rooney challenged the growing narrative around Eze’s “mentality” and “character,” arguing that two standout performances against Tottenham cannot mask a season he believes has been inconsistent.
“I disagree a bit,” Rooney said bluntly. “I don’t think he’s been good enough this season. The two Tottenham games have shined a big light on him but in other games I’ve watched him and not thought he’s been good enough.”
It’s a damning verdict.
Five of Eze’s six Premier League goals this season have come in just two matches — both against Spurs. Outside of those fixtures, his influence has faded in stretches, raising questions about consistency in a title race that demands week-in, week-out excellence.
Rooney didn’t stop there.
“If I was him I would be trying to make it very difficult for the manager to leave me out,” he continued. “Clearly he’s not doing enough to warrant a place in the team consistently.”
In other words: derby hero or not, prove it every week.
Rooney also highlighted the tactical dilemma facing Mikel Arteta. Martin Odegaard, the captain, offers control and intelligence in deeper areas. Eze, by contrast, thrives closer to goal.
“I think Eze is better in the penalty box but Odegaard is better when he’s a bit deeper,” Rooney explained. “If you could combine the two of them you’d have a great player.”
It’s a fascinating debate — and one Arteta himself appears to be wrestling with.
Because while Eze dazzled against Spurs, the weeks prior told a more complicated story.
Earlier this month, the 27-year-old was handed a rare start in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Brentford — only to be substituted at half-time. He was then left out of the starting XI entirely against Wolves.
And Arteta has now admitted that those decisions didn’t go down quietly.
“He was upset, even with me,” the Arsenal boss revealed. “Because I didn’t play him the other day from the beginning and some of the decisions that I made.”
That honesty speaks volumes.
Arteta could see something brewing — not just frustration, but hunger. A player desperate to prove a point.
“He scored five goals in the last two games against them, which is extremely difficult to do,” Arteta said. “But I could see that he wanted to prove something.”
That edge may have been exactly what Arsenal needed in the derby.
Arteta believes he is now starting to understand how best to unlock Eze’s strengths — and Sunday’s performance may have been the breakthrough.
“You just have to look at his face,” Arteta added. “The way he was in the dressing room with a big smile, and his eyes are expressing everything that you need to.”
That image — smiling, vindicated, alive with belief — suggests a player who knows he belongs.
Yet Rooney’s words linger.
Is Eze a big-game specialist? Or is he ready to become a week-in, week-out difference-maker for a side chasing the Premier League title?
Arsenal’s five-point lead offers breathing space. A London derby against Chelsea awaits next. The margins at the top are razor-thin, especially with City lurking.
For Eze, the message is clear: brilliance against Spurs is unforgettable — but consistency wins titles.
Now comes the real test.
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