MIRROR
Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after nervously edging past Tottenham 3-2 in the north London derby.
Despite a bright start from Tottenham, it was the Gunners who took the lead in the 15th minute. Bukayo Saka’s corner was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
After creating the opening goal, Saka then doubled their advantage just before the half hour mark, slotting home following a lightning counter-attack. Arsenal were in firm control and added a third before the break, with Kai Havertz heading the ball home from a corner.
The Gunners were in cruise control, up until David Raya gifted Spurs a way back into the game as Cristian Romero slotted into the corner. Spurs pulled another goal back late on through Heung min Son’s penalty, but it was too little too late as Arsenal held on for a vital win.
Here is five talking points from the game..
Set pieces strikes again
Arsenal have become synonymous to a set piece goal this season. In fact, before the trip to Tottenham, the Gunners had scored a mammoth 14 from corners – the most in the Premier League. And Arteta’s men extended their lead at the top of that statistic with two more against their arch enemy.
First, Saka whipped in a delightful in swinging corner into the box which, after pressure from several Arsenal attackers, was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Hojbjerg.
The Gunners then added their 16th goal from a corner this season just before half-time. Havertz headed home from close range after getting on the end of an enticing Declan Rice delivery.
Controversial offside
After going behind, Tottenham thought they had equalised midway through the first half as Van de Ven pounced on a loose ball before firing past a hapless David Raya. The Dutchman showed composure to keep his cool after Pedro Porro had seen his initial strike blocked.
However, as the Spurs players walked back to their own half for the game to restart, the goal was disallowed Following a VAR check, Van de Ven was judged to have just been in an offside position and leaning beyond the last man when Porro shot, sparking fury among the home faithful.
Sensational Saka
Having scored just once in his previous seven Premier League appearances coming into the north London derby, Saka has come under criticism for his recent form. But the Arsenal forward responded and got back on to the scoresheet during their thumping victory against Tottenham.
In the 27th minute, Saka latched on to a long pass before driving into the box. He then kept his composure, drifted on to his favoured left foot and coolly side-footed the ball past Guglielmo Vicario. It was a fine finish from the England international, who now has 15 league goals this season.
