Gunners Overcome Spurs in North London Derby to Move Within Four Points of Liverpool
Mikel Arteta lauded Arsenal’s performance as “sensational” after their spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. The win propelled the Gunners to second place in the Premier League, reigniting hopes of a title challenge as they closed the gap to leaders Liverpool to four points.
Arsenal’s Resilience Shines
Arsenal showcased determination after falling behind in the 25th minute to a deflected strike by Tottenham’s Son Heung-min. The Gunners equalized just before halftime when a Dominic Solanke own goal leveled the score. Moments later, Leandro Trossard’s precise finish completed the turnaround, giving Arsenal a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“I am very proud of the team,” Arteta said. “We were sensational. The attitude we played with—refusing to feel sorry for ourselves—was phenomenal. This win shows we are very much in the title race.”
When asked about Arsenal’s title credentials, Arteta added: “Yes, we are. There is so much to play for, and it’s clear how difficult it is to win. When opportunities come to close the gap, you have to take them. We’re on a really consistent run in the Premier League.”
Postecoglou: “Not Good Enough”
For Tottenham, the loss marked their 11th league defeat of the season, and manager Ange Postecoglou did not mince words. “I’m really disappointed with the way we played. We allowed them to dictate the tempo. This can’t be acceptable in any way,” Postecoglou admitted.
Despite replays indicating the corner leading to Arsenal’s equalizer should have been a Spurs goal kick, Postecoglou refused to dwell on officiating. “It wasn’t a corner, but we were nowhere near the level we need to be in such a big game. Our league form has been nowhere near good enough, and that has to change.”
Rice Reflects on Arsenal’s Dominance
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice added to Spurs’ misery, emphasizing Arsenal’s dominance. “The first 45 minutes was pure domination,” he said. “To be honest, I think we’re unlucky not to have scored 10 today. When you play Spurs, you know what it means to the fans.
“If you’re a player and you can’t get up for Spurs, you shouldn’t be playing football. We had that fire in our bellies tonight. The second half was more open—they could have scored a couple—but we could’ve had another five or six.”
Title Race Wide Open
With the victory, Arsenal extended their remarkable record of losing just one home North London derby in the Premier League since 1993. The Gunners now sit on 43 points from 21 matches, trailing Liverpool, who have 47 points with a game in hand. Spurs, meanwhile, remain in a precarious position, facing potential relegation battles if their form doesn’t improve.
For Arteta’s side, the performance not only restored momentum but also sent a message to the rest of the league: Arsenal are ready to challenge for the crown.
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