PLAYER RATINGS: Havertz was the star of the show, Arsenal held on to beat Spurs

Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mikel Arteta's side held on to secure a 3-2 North London derby win over Tottenham.

The title chasers took the lead through a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg own goal, with Spurs then seeing an Micky van der Ven equaliser ruled out for a narrow offside.

Buyako Saka doubled Arsenal's lead following a counter-attack before Kai Havertz headed in from a corner to secure a 3-0 half-time advantage.

Cristian Romero pulled a goal back following a David Raya error, with a late consolation goal setting up a nervy finish at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Mail Sport's Issan Khan rates the players as Arsenal held on to secure a crucial victory in their title bid and damage Tottenham's hopes of securing Champions League football.

TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)

GUGLIELMO VICARIO: 5.5

Conceded three goals. Not helped by his defenders who failed to deal with Ben White’s gamesmanship in the box on corners.

PEDRO PORRO: 6

Battled away in the face of multiple Arsenal waves of attack, particularly in the first half.

CRISTIAN ROMERO: 7.5

Swashbuckling performance. Missed three chances to score with his head but got a goal back, and was in forward positions for the final 20 minutes.

MICKY VAN DE VEN: 6.5

Scored early on, which was ruled out for offside. Put in some good tackles.

BEN DAVIES: 5.5

Struggled against Bukayo Saka. Was run ragged for Saka’s goal on the break.

PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG: 5

His glancing header gave Arsenal an own goal. Went missing in the match

RODRIGO BENTANCUR: 6

Broke up play and drove forward, too.

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI: 7

A constant threat. Played some nice over the top deliveries and didn’t hesitate to get crosses in.

JAMES MADDISON: 6

Had a good chance after 12 minutes blazed over. Would have wanted more of an impact.

TIMO WERNER: 5.5

Shot straight at Raya after eight minutes. A quiet game.

SON HEUNG-MIN: 6.5

Finished his penalty under pressure. Did his best to keep Spurs in the final third.

Substitutes

RICHARLISON: 7

Good link up play with Kulusevski. Gave Arsenal a scare at the end.

GIOVANNI LO CELSO: N/A

YVES BISSOUMA: 6

A mixed display.

PAPE MATAR SARR: 6.5

Brought energy to the middle of the park.

Manager: ANGE POSTECOGLOU 6.5

Didn’t jump towards changing despite the scoreline. Stuck to his guns and it nearly paid off.

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

DAVID RAYA: 5

His howler, passing to Romero who scored, gave Spurs hope. An error that cannot be made at this level. Recovered well after this.

BEN WHITE: 6.5

Gamesmanship at corners to distract Vicario. This was key to two of Arsenal’s goals.

WILLIAM SALIBA: 6.5

Stayed calm in pressure situations. That composure helped his side.

GABRIEL: 7

Broke up Spurs’ play at the back multiple times. Spirited throughout.

TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 6

Started jittery and found it challenging against Johnson in the last 15 minutes. But his pressure resulted in Hojbjerg scoring an own goal.

MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6

Not involved much in first half but had more influence in second period.

THOMAS PARTEY: 6

High octane. Was reckless in the middle on occasion, but also had some eye-catching moments when breaking play forward.

DECLAN RICE: 6

His foul on Davies in the box allowed Spurs within touching distance of getting a result.

BUKAYO SAKA: 8

Well-executed corner resulted in opening goal. And then got his own goal after turning Davies inside out.

KAI HAVERTZ: 8.5

Great assist for Saka’s goal and then nabbed a header off a corner. Top display.

LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6

A quiet game. Not much action of note.

Substitutes

GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6

Dribbled in his own box which nearly caused an error. Slight lacking of confidence.

Jakub Kiwior: N/A

Manager: MIKEL ARTETA 6

His team dropped off in the second half. Just about survived in the dying minute.

Referee: MICHAEL OLIVER 5.5

Missed the penalty which required VAR to overturn.