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Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mikel Arteta’s side held on to secure a 3-2 north London derby victory over Tottenham.
The title chasers took the lead thanks to a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg own goal, and Spurs then saw a Micky van der Ven equalizer ruled out for a narrow offside.
Buyako Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead following a counter-attack before Kai Havertz headed in a corner to secure a 3-0 half-time lead.
Cristian Romero scored a goal after a David Raya error, with a late consolation goal setting up a nervy finale at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Mail Sport’s Issan Khan rates the players as Arsenal held on to secure a crucial win in their title fight and damage. Tottenham’s hopes of securing the Champions League.
Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Tottenham
The result significantly damaged Tottenham’s hopes of securing the Champions League.
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)
GUGLIELMO VICARIO: 5.5
He conceded three goals. Not helped by their defenders who couldn’t deal with Ben White’s guile in the box in the corners.
PEDRO PORRO: 6
Fought off multiple waves of Arsenal attack, particularly in the first half.
CRISTIAN ROMERO: 7.5
Cloak and dagger performance. He missed three scoring chances with his head, but got a goal back and was in attacking positions for the final 20 minutes.
MICKY VAN DE VEN: 6.5
He scored early, which was disallowed for offside. Make some good entries.
BEN DAVIES: 5.5
He fought against Bukayo Saka. He ran wild for Saka’s goal on the break.
Cristian Romero closed the gap for Tottenham after an error by David Raya
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was called up to the starting eleven but headed into his own goal
PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG: 5
His header gave Arsenal an own goal. Disappeared in the game
RODRIGO BENTANCUR: 6
He interrupted the game and also advanced.
DEJAN KULUSEVSKI: 7
A constant threat. He made some good exaggerated passes and didn’t hesitate to make crosses.
JAMES MADDISON: 6
He had a good chance after 12 minutes. I would have liked a greater impact.
TIMO WERNER: 5.5
Direct shot at Raya at eight minutes. A quiet game.
SON HEUNG-MIN: 6.5
He finished his penalty under pressure. He did everything he could to keep Spurs in the final third.
Dejan Kulusevski was a constant threat for Tottenham and produced some excellent deliveries.
Son Heung-min reduced the lead for Spurs from the penalty spot after a Declan Rice foul
Substitutes
RICARLISON: 7
Good playing link with Kulusevski. He gave Arsenal a scare at the end.
GIOVANNI LO CELSO: N/A
YVES BISSOUMA: 6
A mixed exhibition.
PAPE MATAR SARR: 6.5
It brought energy to the center of the park.
BRENNAN JOHNSON: 6
He took up good positions around the box with Spurs just one goal behind, but kept crossing the ball straight to Raya.
Responsible: ANGE POSTECOGLOU 6.5
He did not rush to change despite the score. He stuck with it and it almost paid off.
Ange Postecoglou stood his ground and was almost rewarded with a second-half comeback.
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA: 5
His howler, past Romero, who scored, gave the Spurs hope. A mistake that cannot be made at this level. He recovered a lot after this.
BEN WHITE: 6.5
Cunning around corners to distract Vicario. This was key to two of Arsenal’s goals.
GUILLERMO SALIBA: 6.5
I remained calm in pressure situations. That composure helped his side.
GABRIEL: 7
He disrupted the Spurs’ play on defense several times. Energetic everywhere.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 6
He started nervously and found it challenging against Johnson in the final 15 minutes. But his pressure caused Hojbjerg to score an own goal.
David Raya’s error gave Tottenham a route back into the game, but the Gunners held on
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6
He didn’t participate much in the first half but had more influence in the second half.
THOMAS FIESTA: 6
High octane. He was reckless at times in the middle, but also had some eye-catching moments advancing the game.
DECLAN RICE: 6
His foul on Davies in the box allowed Spurs to come within striking distance of a result.
BUKAYO SAKA: 8
A well taken corner resulted in the first goal. And then he got his own goal after turning it over to Davies.
KAI HAVERTZ: 8.5
Great assist for Saka’s goal and then headed in a corner. Top screen.
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6
A quiet game. There isn’t much notable action.
Saka scored Arsenal’s second after spinning inside Ben Davies before producing a curling finish.
Kai Havertz gave Arsenal a 3-0 lead after heading in a corner late in the first half.
Substitutes
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6
He dribbled in his own area and almost caused an error. Slight lack of confidence.
JAKUB KIWIOR: N/A
Responsible: MIKEL ARTETA 6
His team fell in the second half. He almost survived at the last minute.
Referee: MICHAEL OLIVER 5.5
He missed the penalty which forced the VAR to annul it.