Arsenal move four clear after North London derby domination

Thomas Partey celebrates Arsenal's opener in the latest North London Derby. It ended 3-1 to Arsenal. (Photo credit: Arsenal.com)

Arsenal showed big game mentality on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium with an emphatic 3-1 win over Antonio Conte’s Tottenham to move four clear of their North London rivals and Manchester City on the premier league table.

The Gunners were able to call on the trio of Alex Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard after only the latter took part in the just concluded international break with stories of niggling injuries here and there and they all proved their value in the significant win.

Spurs were also able to welcome Hugo Lloris back to the starting lineup, the Frenchman missed national team duty with a thigh strain but Dejan Kulusevski could only watch from the stands after picking up injury for Sweden during the break.

Arsenal was quick out of the blocks; Spurs could only defend deep with the Gunners dominating early proceedings but all that could have been undone when Richarlison beat the offside trap to attempt a toe poke in the Arsenal area but Aaron Ramsdale saved at point blank range.

It was all Arsenal from there and it paid off on the 20^th minute when a twenty-two-pass move landed at Partey’s feet and he sent an unstoppable screamer past Lloris; it was Partey’s first of the season and his first North London derby goal.

The Gunners were coasting until Gabriel Meghalaes happened in the Arsenal area. Tottenham’s rare forays into the opposition box saw the Brazilian defender hack down his kinsman and referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot.

Harry Kane stepped up and passed one straight down the middle with the Arsenal goalie headed the wrong way; it was Kane’s first touch in the Arsenal box and it added wind to the visitors’ sails with Arsenal getting sloppy and Tottenham opening up gaps but the half ended 1-1.

The second half was all Arsenal and it didn’t take long for that to show. Gabriel Jesus benefited from a mix up between Christian Romero and Lloris to bundle home Arsenal’s second and not long afterwards, Emerson Royale was sent off for a nasty, yet needless stamp on Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.

Granit Xhaka scored his first North London derby goal off a neat Arsenal move afterwards and Spurs couldn’t get close to the Gunners all afternoon. The win means Arsenal will stay on top of the log regardless of what happens elsewhere on the day.