Arsenal moved to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham in a north London derby at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, the Gunners seized the opportunity to bolster their title hopes. However, despite dominating the early stages, they found themselves trailing midway through the first half.
Tottenham struck first against the run of play in the 25th minute when Son Heung-min’s effort deflected off William Saliba, leaving goalkeeper David Raya helpless.
Arsenal, desperate to return to winning ways after recent setbacks in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, responded swiftly. Five minutes before halftime, Gabriel capitalized on Declan Rice’s pinpoint corner, forcing Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky into an error that resulted in Dominic Solanke turning the ball into his net.
The Gunners struck again just four minutes later. Leandro Trossard’s low, bobbling shot slipped past Kinsky, who failed to keep it out, giving Arsenal a vital lead heading into the break.
Despite dominating possession in the second half, Arsenal struggled to extend their advantage. They were nearly punished for their inability to finish off Spurs when Pedro Porro’s late effort struck the outside of the post, offering the visitors a glimpse of hope.
The victory keeps Mikel Arteta’s side firmly in the title race, although they have played a game more than Liverpool. Arsenal’s resilience and ability to respond to setbacks were evident, though their finishing remains an area for improvement.
Tottenham, on the other hand, continue to languish in 13th place, with just one league win—against bottom-placed Southampton—since their victory over Manchester City in November.
As Arsenal’s title chase gains momentum, they will hope to build on this crucial win, while Spurs face mounting questions about their disappointing form.
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