Arsenal are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table after they won 2-0 away at local rivals Spurs today.
Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side started brightly and they almost took the lead through Eddie Nketiah after seven minutes, but the young striker struck straight at Spurs ‘keeper Hugo Lloris from 10 yards out.
On 14 minutes Arsenal’s attacking impetus would be rewarded, although it came from a massive mistake from Spurs skipper Lloris. Bukayo Saka broke down the right and after the England international played a deflected cross towards the near post Lloris bizarrely managed to palm the ball into his own net.
Spurs almost equalised a few minutes later through Son Heung-min, but Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was alert to get off his line and block down the South Korean’s effort after a wonderful reverse pass from Ryan Sessegnon.
Arsenal continued to look the better side though and they nearly had a second when midfielder Thomas Partey hit a sensational volley from 25 yards out that rattled the woodwork.
The Gunners would eventually get the second goal their superiority warranted when their captain Martin Odegard fired a powerful daisy cutter into the bottom right-hand corner from 25 yards out.
MARTIN ØDEGAARD 🤫 pic.twitter.com/ccxLWGKhHS
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 15, 2023
Harry Kane forced Ramsdale into a fine stop with a near post header on the stroke of half time although such was the level of Spurs’ display they were roundly booed off by the home support.
Spurs upped the ante after the break and the impressive Ramsdale had to be at his very best to deny Kane and then Sessegnon from reducing the deficit.
Despite Spurs marked improvement, Nketiah had a golden chance to kill the game off on 68 minutes but the Arsenal forward once again fired straight at Lloris when clean through on goal.
In the end, man-of-the-match Ramsdale and the Gunners defence stood up to the test that Spurs provided and held on for another important win.
Speaking afterwards Arsenal boss Arteta was beaming about his sides display.
”I loved the way we played and the courage we showed to come here and play,” Arteta told Sky Sports. ”Doing our job we can make a lot of people happy and i’m sure we’ve made Arsenal fans very happy.
“It is not for me. Everything we ask they are so willing to try and do. They are a terrific group of players. I think today we went another step. We won last season in big stadiums, but the way we won today was really pleasing to watch.
“It shows not only determination and courage but you have to have the belief and quaity to do it against this team. That is absolutely down to the players.
“We were really aggressive. We were really intense against the high press. We won so many balls and duels. They created some openings, they are a dangerous team, but we did a lot of good work today.”
