The derby swung the way of Arsenal over 95 enthralling minutes of football as the hosts took the spoils in a 2-1 victory
Arsenal closed the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to just four points with a frantic 2-1 win at home to Tottenham in the north London derby. Mikel Arteta's side were in dire need of a result to reignite their season following disappointing cup losses against Newcastle and Manchester United last week, and duly delivered with a comeback victory on home soil.
The hosts had all of the possession early doors but were nearly undone on the counter when Djed Spence zipped away down the left and delivered a teasing cross into Dominic Solanke, only for Gabriel to make a superb recovery challenge and deny a certain goal. From the ensuing corner, David Raya stood tall to keep out Dejan Kulusevski from point-blank range.
And with their next attack, Tottenham took a shock lead. Gabriel's header from another corner fell kindly to Son Heung-min on the edge of the box, and his volley deflected off the toe of William Saliba before squeezing through the legs of Thomas Partey and beyond a helpless Raya.
Just before the break, though, Arsenal turned the game around. An in-swinging corner from Declan Rice sailed over to Gabriel at the back-post, and his header went in off Dominic Solanke for the equaliser. Spurs were furious with the decision to award the Gunners a corner after the ball appeared to take a nick off Leandro Trossard rather than Pedro Porro as the referee had believed.
Minutes later, Arteta's side went in front. Yves Bissouma was dispossessed in midfield too easily, with Martin Odegaard switching play left to Trossard, and his powerful shot bounced over the weak wrists of Antonin Kinsky.
The Gunners sought to extend that lead in the second half, and went mightily close when Kai Havertz headed narrowly wide from an Odegaard corner soon after the restart. A mix-up at the back for Spurs then afforded Havertz and Raheem Sterling the opportunity to sweep home from inside the 18-yard box, but neither were able to take up that invitation.
Rice and Gabriel Martinelli both went close as Arsenal continued to dictate the game, while Odegaard missed the chance to ice the game from well inside the Spurs box in the closing stages.
Arsenal managed to keep Tottenham at a safe enough distance for five minutes of added time, in spite of Porro rattling the post from a vicious cross, and held on to secure three precious points and climb back above Nottingham Forest into second, while Spurs could still end this round of fixtures as low as 14th.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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David Raya (7/10):
Played his part by claiming some high crosses, while his superb early save to keep out Kulusevski sadly fell into the backdrop of an eventful evening.
Jurrien Timber (7/10):
Son may have scored but the Spurs captain didn't have any luck in trying to beat the Dutchman down his side for the rest of the night. Looked absolute exhausted in the second half but soldiered on nonetheless.
William Saliba (7/10):
Didn't cover himself in glory when turning his back on Son's strike for the opening goal, though was pretty formidable that blemish aside.
Gabriel (8/10):
Arsenal's main man at both ends of the pitch. Came up with a superb sliding challenge to prod the ball away from Solanke with the goal gaping and scores locked at 0-0 before heading onto Solanke for the equaliser.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (8/10):
A night the 18-year-old won't ever forget, with the home fans chanting he was 'one of their own'. Scarcely put a foot wrong, with his most notable discrepancy a foul throw-in during the second half. Given a standing ovation when subbed off for Zinchenko.
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Thomas Partey (6/10):
Won the ball back off Bissouma which led to Trossard's winner on the stroke of half-time. Gave possession away in similar fashion on occasion.
Declan Rice (8/10):
Started a little within himself, but boy did he grow into the game as it wore on. Owned the midfield battle alone with one breathless shift. Taken off for Merino towards the end.
Martin Odegaard (7/10):
Exuded that typical elegance like a ballerina on tiptoes. Grabbed the all-important assist for Trossard's strike.
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Raheem Sterling (5/10):
Failed to make the most of a rare opportunity to start. Drew the ire of a frustrated home crowd whenever he decided against motoring down the flank and instead slowing down play. Replaced by Martinelli after an hour.
Kai Havertz (6/10):
Ran the hard yards and seemed desperate to make up for last week's misgivings. Lacked a direct threat himself but worked extremely hard for the cause.
Leandro Trossard (8/10):
So often the man at the end of Arsenal's clearest chance. Took his goal well, even if Kinsky ought to have got a stronger wrist to it. Replaced by Tierney late on.
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Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
Came on for Sterling on the hour. Brought a similar frustration to the game.
Kieran Tierney (6/10):
Given a run out in place of Trossard for the final stages.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (N/A):
On for Lewis-Skelly to see out the game.
Mikel Merino (N/A):
Replaced Rice for the last few minutes.
Mikel Arteta (8/10):
Arsenal needed a huge performance and three valuable points. His team came away with both rather emphatically.