Arsenal closed to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool after an upset in North London against Spurs.
Arsenal reignited their Premier League title challenge with a thrilling comeback beat Tottenham 2-1 in the North London derby.
Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Son Heung-min’s first goal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday but grabbed the bragging rights against their bitter rivals thanks to a Dominic Solanke own goal and Leandro Trossard’s strike just before half-time.
Arsenal’s first win in four games in all competitions brought them within four points of leaders Liverpool, who were held to tied 1-1 by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Liverpool’s game against Arsenal still makes them favorites for the title, but the Gunners are at least putting pressure on Arne Slott’s men.
Beaten 2-0 by Newcastle in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final last week and eliminated from the 10-man FA Cup third round by Manchester United on penalties on Sunday, Arsenal were desperate for a response and Tottenham once again proved the ideal opponent.
Questions have been raised about Arteta’s ability to add more silverware to the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only trophy in a reign that began in 2019.
With Bukayo Saka already out due to knee surgery, a potentially season-ending knee injury to Gabriel Jesus 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 critical Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, whose side 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 first leg of their League Cup semi-final before they need extra-time to see off fifth-tier Tamworth in the FA Cup third round.
Tottenham are winless in their last five league games, losing four of them to drop to 13th place.
Raheem Sterling squandered a golden chance to give Arsenal the lead in the opening moments when his powerful touch allowed Santa Spence to clear after the winger raced through on goal.
Looking annoyed, Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was lucky not to gift Arsenal a goal on his Premier League debut after taking too long to clear and Kai Havertz failing to apply the finishing touch.
Tottenham responded with a flurry of pressure that led to the opener in the 25th minute.
With Arsenal only able to take a corner to the edge of the box, Son curled a shot past William Saliba and past David Raya.
The South Korean’s goal lifted him to fourth on the all-time top scorers in the north London derby with eight, behind Harry Kane with 14 and 10 from Emmanuel Adebayor and Bobby Smith.
Arteta’s men recovered and regained control in controversial fashion before half-time. They won a corner in the 40th minute which replays showed should have been a goal kick as it ricocheted off Trossard and took full advantage.
Kinsky misjudged Declan Rice’s delivery and Gabriel’s header into the six-yard box was deflected in by a hapless Solanke. It was the fourth time Arsenal had scored from a corner against Tottenham since the start of last season.
Postecoglou was furious at the decision to concede the corner, but it was worse for the Australian as Trossard put Arsenal ahead in the 44th minute. Thomas Partey started the move by robbing Yves Bissouma in midfield and picking out Martin Odegaard.
The Arsenal captain’s pass sent Trossard galloping into the penalty area for a fierce low shot that skipped over Kinsky’s feeble save into the far corner.
Arsenal stayed on top after the break, but the wanton Havertz headed home Odegaard’s cross and headed straight at Kinsky after Partey’s delivery. Kinsky saved from Rice and Odegaard late on as Arsenal threatened to win at a gallop before Pedro Porro hit the post for Tottenham in a dramatic finish.
