Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal: Gunners outclass Spurs to go eight points clear in Premier League title race
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Updated 15/01/2023 at 23:22 GMT
Arsenal are eight points clear in the Premier League title race after beating Tottenham 2-0 on opposition soil. Hugo Lloris’ calamitous own goal set the tone for a miserable outing for the hosts, who took until just before half-time to offer any threat. Martin Odegaard also struck from distance as his fine season continued, with the Gunners pouncing on Manchester City’s derby defeat on Saturday.
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Arsenal provided a real statement of title intent as they moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with a stylish 2-0 victory in the north London derby at Tottenham.
The Gunners were incredibly dominant throughout the first period and took the lead on 14 minutes when a Hugo Lloris howler allowed Bukayo Saka’s cross-shot to somehow divert into the net.
Thomas Partey hit the post with a stunning volley and Eddie Nketiah also went close before Martin Odegaard’s 25-yard strike flew into Lloris’ bottom left-hand corner.
Spurs had struggled to get out of their own half but almost nicked a lifeline when Harry Kane saw a header well saved by Aaron Ramsdale on 45 minutes.
As has so often been the case this season, the Lilywhites were much improved after the interval and Ramsdale was kept busy by Kane and then Ryan Sessegnon.
A much more even contest ensued but the visitors stood firm when under pressure and remained a threat on the counter with Nketiah going close on a couple of occasions to increasing their margin of victory.
The result sees Spurs remain in fifth spot, five points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United having played a game more. Arsenal are now 12 league matches unbeaten and look a strong bet to push for their first title since 2004.
Next up, Spurs visit Manchester City on Thursday while Arsenal host Manchester United next Sunday in another crunch encounter.
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Martin Odegaard celebrates v Spurs
Image credit: Getty Images
Talking point - Arsenal pass major test as title belief gathers pace
The dramatic collapse to last season’s top-four push and the significance of THAT defeat at Spurs in May was mentioned numerous times in the build up to this encounter. It was seen as motivation for Arsenal to lay some ghosts to rest here and also give a real demonstration of their genuine title credentials, particularly following Manchester City’s defeat on Saturday.
Well, there’s no doubt Mikel Arteta’s men did both.
The first-half masterclass of attacking football was bewitching at times and it could easily have been four or five at the interval. In the second half they had to show a more gritty side with the two centre backs and the hugely impressive Ramsdale continually thwarting a more dangerous Tottenham attack.
The significance of the victory should not be overlooked. It was a first win at Spurs since 2014 and a first league double over the Lilywhites since that 2013-14 campaign. We are still at the halfway stage but the Gunners certainly look the real deal on this evidence.
Player of the match - Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Gave Ryan Sessegnon a torrid time, particularly in the first period, and had a crucial role in the opening goal. Provided the pass for Odegaard’s second and was an eye-catching performer in a strong Gunners display.
Player Ratings
TOTTENHAM: Lloris 5, Romero 6, Dier 6, Lenglet 6, Doherty 6, Sarr 6, Hojbjerg 7, Sessegnon 6, Kulusevski 7, Son 6, Kane 7. Subs: Richarlison 6, Perisic 6, Bissouma 6, Davies n/a, Gil n/a.
ARSENAL: Ramsdale 9, White 8, Saliba 9, Gabriel 9, Zinchenko 8, Partey 8, Xhaka 8, Odegaard 9, Saka 9, Martinelli 8, Nketiah 8. Subs: Tierney 6, Tomiyasu n/a, Smith Rowe n/a, Vieira n/a.
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Hugo Lloris was hugely at fault for Arsenal's opener
Image credit: Getty Images
Match Highlights
07’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Nketiah sees a left-foot shot on the stretch from Martinelli's pass well saved by Lloris after an attempted clearance had been blocked back into the Spurs area.
14’ – GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (Lloris og). Saka raids down the right and drives into the box. He's faced with a narrow angle but drills a hard cross-shot that Lloris flaps into his own net at the near post.
19’ – TOTTENHAM CHANCE! Son makes a diagonal dart on to Sessegnon's reverse pass but Ramsdale produces a brilliant save to keep out the South Korean's thumping effort.
25’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Partey sees a scorching 20-yard volley come crashing back off the post with Lloris well beaten. So unlucky.
36’ – GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal (Odegaard). Odegaard collects a pass from Saka, takes it out of his feet and sizzles a low, 25-yard shot into the bottom corner.
45+2’ – TOTTENHAM CHANCE! Ramsdale reacts smartly to keep out Kane's header after Zinchenko was caught in possession.
52’ – TOTTENHAM CHANCE! Sessegnon overlaps on the left and charges into the box on to Kane's pass. He fizzes in a low strike that Ramsdale manages to divert past his far post with his foot.
69’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! A lightning counter attack ends with Nketiah clear on Lloris once more, but his control isn’t perfect and his rushed shot is straight at the Spurs keeper.
Key Stats
- Lloris scored an own goal for the first time in his 354-game Premier League career.
- The Gunners have won seven successive Premier League London derbies for the first time since the 2007-08 season. They have kept a clean sheet in all four away games.
- Arsenal are eight points ahead of second-place Manchester City in the Premier League table, with this their biggest lead in the competition when playing the same number of games as the side below since the final day of 2003-04, when they won the title by 11 points.
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