Mikel Arteta's Arsenal came out on top in a huge clash in north London, beating Ralf Rangnick's Manchester United side 3-1 in a hotly-contested affair.
The stage was set on Saturday afternoon; a packed Emirates Stadium crowd, the sun shining, and two heavyweights of the Premier League ready to go head to head once again.
Just a week ago, Gunners fans would have had little positive to say in regards to their top four hopes, with consecutive losses to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton seemingly consigning them to another season battling outside of Europe’s premier cup competition.
But with the 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, there was a new lease of life within the Arsenal ranks, as the unexpected win over Chelsea reignited their challenge.
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A pulse-raising affair
The deadlock was broken early on in the first half, as Arsenal mounted on the pressure in the opening stages. Following a curled shot from Bukayo Saka, Nuno Tavares was on hand to smash the rebound past David De Gea in the United goal.
Though both sides displayed guile and unpredictability in their attacking play, neither side could muster up a particularly impressive defensive performance - this is partly what made the game so gripping; either side looked as if they could concede at any moment in the first period.
Arsenal’s second goal came after a contentious phase of play, in which Eddie Nketiah had the ball in the back of the net and Saka was brought down under the challenge of Alex Telles.
The goal was initially given to Nketiah, before VAR chalked it off for a tight offside. But the VAR controversy didn’t stop there, as referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot after a lengthy review of the challenge on Saka.
The young Englishman stepped up and converted his second penalty of the week, sending De Gea the wrong way to double the Gunners advantage.
In light of recent performances, you may have thought Manchester United would roll over and submit to the dominant side, but you can never count out a side that contains Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese veteran found himself a half-yard in between Arsenal’s centre backs, and with the ball whipped in from the left-hand side, the legendary striker cooly guided the ball past a floundering Aaron Ramsdale.
Thankfully for Arsenal fans, the Gunners still had one trick up their sleeve to put the game to bed, and it came in the unlikely form of a Granit Xhaka wonder-strike. The ball fell to the Swiss midfielder 25+ yards from goal, and with all the time in the world to place his shot, Xhaka launched a rocket of a strike into the right corner of the net - and the Emirates erupted.
From the moment that the third goal went in for the Gunners, the game seemed beyond the visitors, and try as they did, they did not have enough firepower to break through Arsenal's defensive block, galvanised by the introduction of the Rob Holding emergency protocol around the 75th minute.
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Star performers
There are certain players that have the ability to make football look effortless, like they're playing in their own back garden - the Ozils and Zidanes of this world. One name we may be able to add to that list is Martin Odegaard - this boy can really play, can't he?
Since stepping into the creative midfield role in the heart of this Arsenal outfit, the Norweigan has looked a comfortable, constant threat for any opposition side he has had to face.
With the ball seemingly glued to his feet, Arsenal's number eight conducts the majority of the Gunners attacks with his impressive vision and skill. Saturday was just another performance to add to a growing list of impressive, dominant displays from the 23-year-old.
Bukayo Saka - it seems as if every time I have the pleasure to report on an Arsenal win, I end up highlighting this young man's performance.
The trajectory of Saka's career is frightening - he has now amassed 16 G/A in the Premier League this season, just one goal contribution behind Kevin De Bruyne, and only one goal less than England captain Harry Kane.
Saka is consistently the difference in the host's attack, as his unpredictability draws defenders in, often in twos and threes at a time, creating numerical overloads in other parts of the pitch.
With a quick drop of the shoulder or an intricate sequence of passes, the 20-year-old can make his way past the most solid of defensive lines set up in front of him.
The final player I would like to draw attention to is Rob Holding, the Gunners' affectionately named 'emergency protocol'. He has found himself outside the preferred starting eleven this season, not for the first time in his career.
Many players take issue with a lack of playing time, but not those with Holding's mentality. The 26-year-old is often brought on when Arteta's side are defending a lead, and are looking for an extra injection of defensive solidity and discipline.
While he might not thrill supporters with tricks, goals and speed, you can always count on Bobby Holding to get the job done.
No ego, no nonsense, just a player who has only the best interests of the squad at heart - a fantastic ambassador for the football club's ethos and attitude.
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Looking ahead
There are now only five games remaining in the Premier League for the Gunners, as they look to cement their place in the top four. Up next is a trip across the capital to face David Moyes' West Ham United, who were beaten comfortably 2-0 at the Emirates before Christmas.
The Hammers have had an impressive season with all things considered, finding themselves in the top half of the table, and also with their Europa League dreams well and truly alive in the semifinals.
It is by no means an easy trip, but certainly a winnable game for Arteta's men - a must win if they have any serious intention of playing at the highest level of the game next year.
Following the West Ham fixture is a game hosting Leeds, followed by the blockbuster North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - a real 'six-pointer'.
Having dropped points at Brentford yesterday, the Lilywhites now sit two points behind Arsenal, having played the same number of games.
No matter what happens at the end of this campaign, we can guarantee it is going to be tightly fought until the very last day of the season.