Classy Arsenal outguns Tottenham to extend lead

LONDON – The Arsenal boss produced a masterclass to beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 and extend their gap at the top of the Premier League to eight points on Sunday.

The Gunners flew out of the blocks from the opening whistle and took the lead in the first half through a clumsy own goal by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and a sublime strike from Martin Odegaard.

Tottenham were thoroughly outplayed by a fired-up Arsenal side under Mikel Arteta who were determined to make amends for last season’s defeat at Spurs which saw them finish in the top four.

They dominated the first half and fought back well in the second, leaving Tottenham boss Antonio Conte looking glum on the sidelines as he clapped his hands to rally his side.

Striker Harry Kane, needing one more goal to equal Jimmy Greaves’ all-time Spurs scoring record, had a chance either side of the break but goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was equal to him.

“It’s time. It feels amazing,” Arsenal captain Odegaard told Sky Sports. “We remember what happened here last time and we want to play a better game and show a different side of us. We enjoyed the game.

The win took Arsenal to 47 points from 18 games ahead of Manchester City on 39, with Newcastle United, who have played more games, and Manchester United adrift.

Spurs are in fifth place with 33 points from 19 matches.

clear chance

Arsenal had their first clear chance after seven minutes when Eddie Nketiah’s shot was well saved by the diving Lloris.

They took the lead seven minutes later when Bukayo Saka crossed from the right and Lloris headed the ball into his own net for the first time in his 354-game Premier League career.

Arsenal were almost completely in control and Odegaard almost put the visitors ahead with a rasping long-range drive which Frenchman Lloris rounded the post.

Thomas Partey then went close with a fierce volley from outside the area that hit the post.

But Arsenal extended their lead in the 36th through Odegaard’s pinpoint shot into the corner past a helpless Lloris.

Spurs created a rare chance before the break when Kane’s header appeared to be tipped away by Ramsdale at the near post following Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s cross from the right.

Kane then forced another save from Ramsdale after half an hour as the hosts tried to get back into the game.

But despite all the laughs and laughs, Tottenham couldn’t find a way through and the visitors almost scored again in the 69th minute when a close-range effort from Saka was saved.

The win saw Arsenal enjoy their first league double against Spurs since the 2013-14 season and, more importantly, put them in control of the title race.

“We’re in a good position, there’s no doubt about that,” added Odegaard. “We have to stay humble and keep working hard. You saw the difference in the first half and the second half today, so we have to improve. We have to keep going.”

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