28th April, 2024
Arsenal’s title chase received a boost after they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a thrilling London derby at the White Hart Lane on Sunday.
The Gunners led their host 0-3 at half time, but Tottenham fought back by scoring two goals in the second half.
Arsenal are on top of the premier league at the moment and are only praying for defending champions Manchester City to make a slip in their outstanding match.
If City go on to win all their remaining matches, the Gunners are doom.
The opening stages of the contest were closely fought, as both sides looked to stamp their authority on proceedings in a high-octane start.
Clear-cut chances came at a premium, but it was the Gunners who stunned the home crowd with a breakthrough in the 16th minute when Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner was inadvertently headed into his own net by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
According to Flash Score, determined to find a swift response, Tottenham showed plenty of intent in the final third, as Cristian Romero directed a close-range header against the woodwork and Micky van de Ven saw a well-taken finish ruled out for a marginal offside.
Arteta’s men doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark, with Kai Havertz lifting an accurate ball over the top for Saka, who cut inside Ben Davies before curling a clinical effort into the far corner.
Arsenal continued to press home their advantage and the Gunners duly added a third before half time, as Havertz rose highest in the six-yard box to convert Declan Rice’s delivery beyond Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham knew a positive start was needed in the second half, but it was the visitors who soon threatened a fourth when Saka’s close-range effort was superbly thwarted by the legs of Vicario.
The hosts looked devoid of ideas in the final third, but they were gifted a route back into the contest with 25 minutes remaining, as David Raya inexplicably passed the ball straight to Romero, who held his nerve to finish confidently into the bottom corner.
Despite that moment of madness from Raya, Arsenal looked to have regained their composure with time ticking into the final half-hour.
However, a reckless challenge from Rice on Davies in the box allowed Son Heung-min to fire home from the spot, setting up a fascinating finale.