Arsenal closed the gap at the top of the Premier League table to four points after their 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in a frantic North London derby.
After going a goal down after a Son Heung-Min deflected effort, Arsenal scored a quick-fire double through goals from Gabriel and Leandro Trossard and this was enough to secure the hosts the win.
Fans at the Emirates Stadium were treated to an entertaining derby, with an end-to-end second half.
The win moves the Gunners back to second place in the league table, whereas Tottenham end the day in 13th place.
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Story of the game
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all dropped points, allowing Arsenal the chance to capitalise on these results. However, the game did not start how they wanted. Despite being dominant during the first 20 minutes, Spurs started to grow into the match.
After a driving run from Djed Spence, the former Nottingham Forest full-back hit a trivela pass to Dominic Solanke, with Gabriel’s vital touch preventing the opener for Tottenham.
Just moments afterwards, the resulting corner ended up with Dejan Kulusevski forcing a save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, one he arguably should have scored.
Minutes later, Spurs were ahead through Son in the 25th minute. Spurs played the corner short, and the whipped ball in was cleared away only for their captain to hit an effort which was deflected off William Saliba to stun the home crowd.
When the clock was approaching the 40-minute mark, it looked like Spurs were going to go into the halftime break a goal up away to their biggest rivals. However, a crucial five-minute period saw Arsenal completely change the game in their favour.
Arsenal were awarded a corner in the 40th minute and the in-swinging effort was met by Gabriel at the far post and into the back of the net. However, should the goal have been allowed to stand?
In the build-up to the corner, it looked as though the last touch came from an Arsenal player and had this decision been given correctly, the game could have gone a completely different way. Just four minutes later, the turnaround was complete, another disastrous moment for Spurs goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, who was largely at fault for both goals.
After brilliant defensive work, his recovery found the feet of Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard. He played in Trossard, whose powerful low driven shot went through the hands of Kinský.
Spurs brought off Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma at halftime in place of James Maddison and Brennan Johnson and as a result, space opened up in the midfield area. This led to a to a topsy turvy second half. Spurs had their chances, but Arsenal came close to adding a third, with Trossard and Ødegaard threatening the Tottenham goal.
Despite being 2-1 down, Spurs continued with the pass from the back approach, Kinský’s backheel setting fans hearts racing. Despite Spurs’ attacking changes at halftime, they failed to really threaten the Arsenal net until injury time, when Spurs had two chances to level the game.
Pedro Porro played the ball into the box and Solanke attempted an ambitious overhead kick. A minute later, Porro himself hit the woodwork. On the right-hand side, Porro smashed in a powerful effort which hit the woodwork as a result.
Arsenal held on, resulting in an ecstatic home crowd, as they reignited their title challenge.
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Player of the Match - Gabriel
Arsenal’s Brazilian centre-half was everywhere today. Whether this is vital touches defensively, or his contribution going forward, he was a key reason for Arsenal’s victory today.
Grabbing his sixth goal of the season, he once again showcased the threat he can offer at set pieces.
