Arsenal close to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool after North London turnaround against Spurs.
Arsenal reignited their Premier League title challenge with a stirring fightback to beat Tottenham 2-1 in the North London derby.
Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Son Heung-min’s early opener on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium, but seized the bragging rights against their bitter rivals thanks to Dominic Solanke’s own goal and Leandro Trossard’s strike just before half-time.
Arsenal’s first win in four games in all competitions lifted them within four points of leaders Liverpool, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Liverpool’s game in hand on Arsenal still makes them title favourites, but the Gunners are at least applying some pressure on Arne Slot’s men.
Beaten 2-0 by Newcastle in the League Cup semifinal first leg last week and eliminated from the FA Cup third round by 10-man Manchester United on penalties on Sunday, Arsenal were desperate for a response, and Tottenham once again proved their ideal opponents.
Questions have been asked of Arteta’s ability to add more silverware to the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only trophy of a reign that started in 2019.
With Bukayo Saka already sidelined due to hamstring surgery, Gabriel Jesus’s potentially season-ending knee injury had added to Arteta’s woes.
But Arsenal have now won seven and drawn one of their last eight league games against Tottenham.
It was another painful blow for under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, whose team are just eight points above the relegation zone.
Postecoglou must find a solution to the inconsistency that saw them beat Liverpool 1-0 in the League Cup semifinal first leg before needing extra time to see off fifth-tier Tamworth in the FA Cup third round.
Tottenham are without a win in their last five league games, losing four of those to drop to 13th place.
Raheem Sterling wasted a golden opportunity to put Arsenal ahead in the opening moments when his heavy touch allowed Djed Spence to clear after the winger raced through on goal.
Looking racked with nerves, Tottenham keeper Antonin Kinsky was fortunate not to gift a goal to Arsenal on his Premier League debut after taking too long to clear, with Kai Havertz unable to apply the finishing touch.
Tottenham hit back with a burst of pressure that produced the opener in the 25th minute.
When Arsenal could only clear a corner to the edge of the area, Son smashed a shot that glanced off William Saliba as it flashed past David Raya.
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