In a fiercely contested north London derby, Arsenal emerged victorious over Tottenham to bolster their bid for the Premier League title, despite enduring a nerve-wracking finale.
Mikel Arteta’s men capitalized on Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities to secure a commanding three-goal lead by halftime, courtesy of an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, followed by strikes from Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
However, the game took a dramatic turn when a costly error from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya allowed Cristian Romero to pull one back for Spurs in the second half. The tension escalated further when Heung-min Son converted a late penalty, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
Despite Spurs’ spirited fightback, Arsenal held firm to claim all three points and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. While Raya’s blunder briefly gave Tottenham hope of a comeback, the Gunners’ resolute defending ensured they emerged victorious in the end.
Arteta praised his side’s ability to weather the storm and close out the game, highlighting Raya’s resilience in bouncing back from his mistake. Arsenal’s victory not only dealt a blow to Tottenham’s aspirations of a top-four finish but also reaffirmed their own title credentials.
The win marked Arsenal’s third consecutive victory in eight days, maintaining the pressure on second-placed Manchester City as they edge closer to the coveted Premier League crown.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will rue their defensive lapses, particularly their vulnerability at set-pieces, which once again proved costly. Despite showing attacking intent and creating chances, Spurs were unable to overcome the deficit created by Arsenal’s first-half onslaught.