Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. Goals from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres give the Gunners some much-needed momentum after stumbling in recent weeks.
Manchester City had put the pressure on Arsenal with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday, temporarily cutting the gap at the top to two points. Arsenal held their nerve against Spurs, inflicting a third straight Premier League defeat on their rivals.
Speaking after the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “This was outstanding. I think you have to bring context to the situation and this is the beauty of football.
“You go to Wolves and you drop two points in the last kick of the match,” he said. “It feels like the end of the world, but then you have another opportunity and that is the beauty of it. In a difficult stadium, against our rivals, and seeing how much it means to us in the league and all our supporters.”
Have Spurs ever been relegated?
It was a difficult first assignment for new Tottenham head coach Igor Tudor but he will know that the real test comes in the weeks ahead. Spurs are now in 16th in the Premier League, just four points clear of the relegation places.
The team is completely devoid of confidence and is now in a genuine relegation battle. Tottenham have been a Premier League club since the league was founded in 1992 and have played in the top tier of English soccer since the 1978/79 season. Before that, the club had a one-year spell in Division 2 after being relegated in 1977.
Next up for Spurs are games against Fulham and Crystal Palace, two crucial fixtures before a trip to Liverpool. if Igor Tudor isn’t able to pick up some points in that run, the visit of Nottingham Forest on March 22 could be a genuine relegation decider.