Leaders Arsenal placed on a masterclass to overwhelm shell-shocked north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 away and prolong the hole on the high of the Premier League to eight factors on Sunday.
The Gunners flew out of the blocks from the opening whistle and constructed a first-half lead by means of a slipshod personal purpose by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris and a chic strike from Martin Odegaard.
Tottenham have been completely outplayed by a fired-up Arsenal facet beneath Mikel Arteta who have been decided to make amends for a loss at Spurs final season that in the end price them a top-four place.
They dominated the primary half and battled gamely within the second, leaving Tottenham boss Antonio Conte trying glum on the sidelines as he clapped his palms to rally his sorry facet.
Striker Harry Kane, needing yet one more purpose to equal Jimmy Greaves all-time Spurs’ scoring file, had probabilities both facet of the break however keeper Aaron Ramsdale was equal to them.
“It’s about time. It felt superb,” Arsenal captain Odegaard advised Sky Sports activities. “We remembered what occurred right here final time and we needed to play a greater sport and present a distinct facet to us. We loved the sport.”
The win places Arsenal on 47 factors from 18 video games forward of Manchester Metropolis on 39, with Newcastle United, who’ve performed a sport extra, and Manchester United an additional level again.
Spurs are in fifth place with 33 factors from 19 matches.
CLEAR CHANCE
Arsenal had the primary clear probability after seven minutes when Eddie Nketiah’s shot was nicely saved by the diving Lloris.
They took the lead seven minutes later when Bukayo Saka crossed from the appropriate and Lloris fumbled the ball into his personal web for the primary time in his 354-game Premier League profession.
Arsenal have been in virtually whole management and Odegaard practically put the guests additional forward with a rasping long-range drive that Frenchman Lloris tipped around the publish.
Thomas Partey then got here even nearer with a fierce volley from simply exterior the realm that crashed towards the publish.
However Arsenal did stretch their lead within the thirty sixth by means of Odegaard’s exact shot into the nook previous a helpless Lloris.
Spurs common a uncommon probability simply earlier than the break when Kane’s glancing header was turned away by Ramsdale on the close to publish after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s cross from the appropriate.
Kane then compelled one other nice save from Ramsdale after halftime because the hosts tried to get again within the sport.
However regardless of all of the huffing and puffing, Tottenham couldn’t discover a method by means of and it was the guests who practically scored once more within the 69th when Saka’s close-range effort was saved.
The victory meant Arsenal loved their first league double over Spurs because the 2013-14 season and, extra importantly, put them firmly answerable for the title race.
“We’re in a superb place, there isn’t any doubt about that,” added Odegaard. “We have got to remain humble and maintain working exhausting. You noticed the distinction within the first and second half right this moment so we’ve issues to enhance. We have now to maintain going.”
This story has been revealed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content. Solely the headline has been modified.