With an amazing performance and victory in the north London derby at Tottenham, Arsenal increased their advantage at the top of the Premier League to a commanding eight points.
With an outstanding display of elegance in the first half and tenacity after the break, the Gunners fully capitalized on Manchester City’s defeat at Manchester United on Saturday to secure a crucial three points.
Hugo Lloris’ gaffe allowed Arsenal to score after 14 minutes when he fumbled Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own goal. However, Mikel Arteta’s team deserved to score more as captain Martin Odegaard drilled in a second from outside the box nine minutes before halftime.
Arsenal were handed a huge opportunity to take a stronger grip on the title race after closest rivals Manchester City were beaten at Old Trafford, but with the expectation also came pressure in the hothouse of a north London derby.
The Gunners, as they have so often this season, rose to the challenge by over-running Spurs to take control in the opening 45 minutes, then hold their nerve in the face of an expected rally from Antonio Conte’s men after the break.
Arsenal were simply irresistible in the first half as they outclassed Spurs – the own goal from Lloris and captain Odegaard’s strike scant reward for their vast superiority.
