FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 3 Arsenal
Bukayo Saka played a key role as leaders Arsenal gave their Premier League title hopes a major boost with a rollercoaster 3-2 win at Tottenham in the North London derby.
The England winger saw his right-wing corner turned into his own net by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on 15 minutes before he doubled the away side’s lead just prior to the half hour mark with a slick finish from a lightning counter attack.
The Gunners then all-but sealed the points on 38 minutes when Kai Havertz nodded in from another well-worked corner routine.
Tottenham blew big chances through Cristian Romero and Heung-Min Son and saw a goal from Micky van de Ven chalked off for a marginal offside just moments after Arsenal’s opener.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked in control following the interval but goalkeeper David Raya’s howler of pass gifted the ball to Romero on 64 minutes and the Spurs defender coolly reduced the arrears.
Son Heung-Min then kept his cool to convert a penalty following a VAR intervention three minutes from time, but The Gunners held on to clinch an important victory.
The result sees Arsenal move four points clear of Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s champions still have two games in hand.
The defeat is a blow to Tottenham’s top four hopes as they remain in fifth spot, seven points adrift of Aston Villa with two games in hand.
Next up, Arsenal will aim to keep up the title push when they host Bournemouth on Saturday. Spurs visit Chelsea on Thursday before heading to Liverpool on Sunday.
