Arsenal secured their first Premier League win at Tottenham in nine years as the leaders took advantage of a Hugo Lloris error to win 2-0 in Sunday’s north London derby.
Mikel Arteta’s side were given the lead by Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris, who pushed Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net early in the first half.
Martin Odegaard added Arsenal’s second goal with a superb long-range strike just before the interval.
Arsenal’s first league double of the bitter rivalry since 2013-14 moved them eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City after the champions’ defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.
As Arsenal’s unexpected title run soared, a trip to Seven Sisters Road to fifth-placed Tottenham was a significant test of their mettle.
He graduated with flying colors at what has been a house of horrors for the Gunners, who have lost all three games at Tottenham’s new stadium since it opened in 2019.
Last season’s 3-0 defeat was particularly painful, with Tottenham looking to secure a top-four finish at the expense of their neighbours.
But Arsenal no longer need to worry about missing the top four after taking the Premier League by storm this season.
Even losing out to Chelsea in the race to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk on Sunday could be dismissed as unsatisfied with the success of that statement.
Unbeaten in their last 12 league games, The Gunners are in pole position to win their first title since Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles took charge in 2004.
With City spluttering looking more vulnerable than usual and Liverpool struggling to shake off a season-long funk, Arsenal have seized the initiative in the title race with 15 wins from 18 games.
Next weekend’s visit of Manchester United – the only team to beat the Gunners in the league this season – is another crucial test for Arsenal, who still have to face City twice in the league and in the FA Cup.
Foreshadowing the impending crisis, Lloris gave Arsenal an early chance when a mistimed clearance required a save from Eddie Nketiah.
Imperial Arsenal
It was only temporary as Arsenal took the lead thanks to Lloris’ 14th minute nightmare.
When Saka cut in from the right and headed a cross into the six-yard box, it should have been easy for Lloris to handle.
But Lloris committed the latest in a long list of costly errors with a powerful save that allowed the ball to curl into the net at the near post.
Saka couldn’t believe his luck as he celebrated with his teammates while Lloris grimaced.
Aaron Ramsdale showed Lloris how to do it when the Arsenal goalkeeper ran off his line to save Son Heung-min’s shot moments later.
Lloris had to bend to his left to keep out Odegaard’s long-range drive as Arsenal heated up again.
Arsenal controlled possession with ease and Thomas Partey was inches away when his long-range volley hit the post.
Saka proved unstoppable as he caused chaos between Tottenham’s central defense and wing-back Ryan Sessegnon.
Undeniably, it was Saka who provided the assist as Odegaard extended Arsenal’s lead in the 36th minute.
Furious going forward unchecked, Saka picked out an unmarked Odegaard and the Arsenal captain drilled a fine finish past Lloris from 25 yards.
Even Harry Kane, Arsenal’s lifelong nemesis, couldn’t find a way to stop the Gunners’ surge.
Kane’s header was cleared by Ramsdale, who denied the attacker again and made a fine save from Sessegnon in the second half.
Tottenham fans were out before Arsenal celebrated their long-awaited success at their opponents’ ground.
Tempers boiled over at the final whistle when Ramsdale clashed with Richarlison and angry Tottenham fans had to be restrained from joining the row.