Arsenal endure torturous Tottenham comeback as Gunners reveal title weak spot

In the end, it was nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat torture for Arsenal.

But to win the big prizes, you have to survive high pressure moments - even when they are self inflicted. Arsenal were 3-0 up at half time, cruising and in complete control when they did their best to press the self-destruct button.

Gunners keeper David Raya ’s mistake gifted Spurs a way back, it got really tense after VAR gave a penalty against Declan Rice and yet they held on. It ended up being a huge win for Arsenal as the North London derby was arguably the hardest game of their run-in so it was never going to be easy.

But making it hard for yourself was revealing about Arsenal’s lack of experience and game management. However, this was a valuable lesson learned.

And, at the final whistle, the raucous away end had forgotten what had gone before because they were too busy celebrating and enjoying the moment. Ultimately, Arsenal fans do not care because they are still in there fighting for the title and it was noticeable that Mikel Arteta went straight over to Raya to comfort the keeper who has been so reliable and consistent this season.

Tottenham ’s fightback turned a humiliating defeat into a galant one. Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero never gave up. But where was James Maddison? This was supposed to be the sort of occasion that he should thrive on. He got subbed. Others were lacking, too.

Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg heads into his own net from a corner
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)

Arsenal, by contrast, were resolute in defence as Gabriel was magnificent, William Saliba not far behind and Thomas Partey has given them a new solidity in midfield. Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz are just ruthless and clinical and it was their finishing which put Arsenal in charge of a game which should have been comfortable even if the first half was closer than the scoreline suggested.

Tottenham started well but, ironically, the man brought in to give Spurs some stability gave away the opening goal. Saka’s near post corner caused chaos and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ended up glancing the ball into his own net.

Bukayo Saka scores to make it 2-0 to Arsenal
(Image: Kieran McManus/Tottenham Hotspur FC/REX/Shutterstock)

But the home side roared back. Romero headed against the post and Van de Ven had the ball in the net only for VAR to rule it offside by the width of Gabriel’s backside. They were small margins. Even smaller ones followed.

Spurs screamed penalty for Leandro Trossard ’s clip on Kulusevski while Rice blocked Maddison. But hope was followed by despair as Arsenal raced up the other end and scored.

Havertz rises to head home Arsenal's third
(Image: PA)

Havertz, outstanding again, played a ball over the top, Saka controlled it brilliantly and then cut inside the box and fired a perfect shot into the far corner.

It was 3-0 after 38 minutes. This time, Rice’s corner caused chaos, Ben White blocked off Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario who is so vulnerable at set pieces and there was Havertz to glance home from close range. That was his 12th Premier League goal and Arsenal’s 16th from a corner.

Some Tottenham fans went early for a half time cuppa, those that stayed jeered their team off. But the scoreline was brutal and yet you could not see a way back for Ange Postecoglou’s men.

Cristian Romero scores to spark Tottenham's revival
(Image: PA)

That was until Raya’s mad moment. He tried to play out, gave the ball straight to Romero and then the Spurs defender steered his shot into the bottom corner. Suddenly the stadium believed with 25 minutes left.

Arsenal managed the game well and took the sting out - until Rice conceded a penalty. Rice went to clear, caught Ben Davies and a penalty was given after a VAR check.

Son converted it and set up a grandstand finish. Arsenal survived. But they will be hoping that Spurs show this much fight when they face Manchester City here next month.

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