How Arsenal’s horror week set up vital derby win over Tottenham
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Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham: The Gunners’ flaws are still evident but they kept their Premier League title hopes alive in an entertainingly chaotic north London derby. A spell that has seen Arsenal all but eliminated from both domestic cups may have still revitalised their title challenge. The worst week of Mikel Arteta’s season so far ends with the best possible result, which was a home win over Tottenham Hotspur.
![[Arsenal celebrated a hard-fought win over Tottenham]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/21/05/SEI236095893.jpeg)
That was admittedly half a Tottenham Hotspur, given the injuries that Ange Postecoglou has suffered that might make even Arteta sympathise. The Spaniard won’t really care, though, given this 2-1 comeback served to cut Liverpool’s lead to a mere four points, albeit with a game more played.
![[Son Heung Min fired Spurs ahead at the Emirates]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/20/33/Premier-League-Arsenal-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-p3pbu56x.jpeg)
There’s real life to the title race again. There’s also a badly-needed calm around Arsenal. Spurs can’t quite say that, as they are now in 13th and just eight points above the relegation zone, with that potentially being 14th by Thursday night. There are significant caveats to that given that Postecoglou is almost playing with the last men – or boys – standing amid so many injuries.
![[But Gabriel’s header went in off Dominic Solanke to level proceedings]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/20/24/SEI236094220.jpeg)
It means you can’t be too critical, even if Spurs now face more doubts themselves. This was the first north London derby in 18 years that featured an 18-year-old and there were three of them. All of Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and especially Myles Lewis-Skelly still happened to be among the best performers on the pitch.
![[Martin Odegaard impressed for the Gunners]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/22/05/SEI236106968.jpeg)
It was why you can’t caveat Arsenal’s win too much. There were potential complications here other than the opposition. The team has been surrounded by doubt, especially after the manner of those cup defeats to Newcastle and Manchester United. Combined with the injuries, it is the worst Arteta has known since his difficult first two seasons in the job. Things could have tailspun. Leandro Trossard instead rediscovered his scoring touch, even if Arsenal still don’t really have theirs. The need for a forward, especially after a hugely disappointing display from Raheem Sterling, is great.
