Heated moment! Audio leaked of Noni Maduake shouting taunts at Matthijs de Ligt during the match as Arsenal defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1.
On 23 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Noni Maduake, Arsenal's quick winger, was caught on camera taunting Matthijs de Ligt by calling him a "loser" during Arsenal's comprehensive 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby last weekend.
Arsenal clearly dominated the game despite playing away at Spurs' home ground under pressure after recently drawing 2-2 with Wolves, which had started to threaten their position as league leaders, with Manchester City closing the gap to just two points.
As Arsenal began to take control in the second half, Maduake, after falling from a challenge, was recorded by a near-pitch microphone taunting Matthijs de Ligt to "get lost!" and further insulted him as a "loser." Tottenham players chose not to retaliate to ease tensions on the field.
This defeat puts new Spurs coach Igor Tudor under immediate pressure, with the team only four points above the relegation zone, whereas Arsenal ended the week five points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League title race.