Arsenal moved to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with victory over Tottenham in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners, who have played a game more than Liverpool, were desperate to return to victory after losing at home to Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final and then going out to Manchester United on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup. .
Arsenal suffered another setback when Son Heung-min's shot, completely against the flow of play, was deflected past goalkeeper David Raya by William Saliba after 25 minutes.
The answer came from a familiar route: Gabriel rose five minutes before the break to meet Declan Rice's corner at the far post after Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky failed to collect and the final touch came from Dominic Solanke for an own goal.
Four minutes later, Arsenal were ahead when Leandro Trossard's bobbing low shot beat Kinsky, who should have done much better.
Mikel Arteta's side dominated the second half, but again lacked the sharpness to fully control the match.
And although they took the win to keep themselves firmly in the title race, they were almost caught out at the end when Pedro Porro hit the outside of the post from a tight angle.
Setups
Arsenal XI: Trossard, Sterling, Partey, David Raya, Ødegaard, Rice, Gabriel, Havertz, Saliba, Timber, Lewis-Skelly
Subs: Neto, Jorginho, Zinchenko, Tierney, Merino, Martinelli, Kiwior, N. Butler-Oyedeji, Ismeal Kabia
Tottenham XI: Son, Solanke, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Spence, Porro, Pape Sarr, Dragusin, Kinsky, Gray, Bergvall
Subs: Maddison, Reguilon, Richarlison, Austin, Brennan Johnson, Lankshear, Moore, Callum Olusesi, Malachi Hardy
Comments