Arsenal capitalised on Liverpool’s stumble, edging Spurs 2-1 in a fierce North London Derby

Arsenal reignited their Premier League title chase with a determined 2-1 win over Tottenham in the Arsenal Spurs Premier Derby at the Emirates. Following two disappointing domestic cup exits, Mikel Arteta’s team faced mounting pressure but delivered a strong performance, overcoming an early blow to narrow the gap to leaders Liverpool to four points, though with an extra game played.

Tottenham struck first, defying their poor league form. Captain Son Heung-min volleyed in via a deflection off William Saliba after a rare break, silencing the home crowd. Arsenal had dominated the opening exchanges, pressing high and keeping Spurs pinned back, but their wastefulness from recent matches seemed to resurface.

The turning point came as Arsenal clawed their way back just before half-time. A contentious corner kick, awarded after a disputed touch off Leandro Trossard, led to Dominic Solanke bundling the ball into his own net under pressure from Gabriel Magalhães. Arsenal’s proficiency from set-pieces once again paid dividends – they’ve now netted 27 goals from corners since the start of last season, the most in the league.

Moments later, Trossard struck again to complete the comeback. After Thomas Partey dispossessed Yves Bissouma, Arsenal countered with precision. Martin Ødegaard fed Trossard, whose low shot somehow slipped through new Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky’s grasp, leaving him face down on the turf in despair.

Spurs, despite their second-half improvements, lacked the firepower to truly test Arsenal’s defence. Pedro Porro’s late strike, which clipped the outside of the post, was their closest chance to salvaging a point. Manager Ange Postecoglou, grappling with mounting injuries and his side’s poor form, watched as Spurs slumped to their sixth defeat in nine league games, leaving them in dire need of inspiration.

Arsenal, meanwhile, looked sharper and more determined than in their recent stumbles. Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhães were instrumental in midfield and defence, while young left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed England manager Thomas Tuchel, who watched from the stands. Yet, Arsenal could have made the victory more comfortable. Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Rice all spurned golden opportunities to extend their lead, keeping the Emirates crowd on edge until the final whistle.

Arteta hopes this win will provide the momentum his side needs to sustain their title bid. With Liverpool dropping points at Nottingham Forest earlier in the day, Arsenal seized their opportunity to close the gap, reigniting the belief that they can compete for the Premier League crown.

Tottenham, by contrast, leaves the Emirates facing questions about their resolve. Although they remain in contention in the Carabao Cup and Europa League, their league form continues to falter. Postecoglou’s challenge is clear: reignite a spark in his struggling squad before their season unravels further.

As Arsenal celebrated at the final whistle, the Emirates roared with renewed hope. The title race is far from over, and this fiery North London Derby could prove a pivotal moment in Arsenal’s pursuit of glory.