Arsenal enjoyed a thoroughly deserved north London derby win at a boisterous Emirates, with the Gunners registering their first league victory over Tottenham since 2014.
Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette all starting in attack for the hosts. However, it was centre-half, Shkodran Mustafi, back from injury, who would open the scoring on 36 minutes.
The goal, a towering header from an Ozil free-kick, came in somewhat controversial circumstances, with Davinson Sanchez’s foul on namesake Alexis arguably harsh, while the hosts were also convinced that Mustafi himself was offside for the goal.
With Mike Dean ignoring the Tottenham protests, the goal stood and within five minutes, the Gunners doubled their lead, with Sanchez blasting home from close-range after good play from Lacazette.
Overall, the Lilywhites produced a below-par display, with Harry Kane and Dele Alli both disappointing, although, Christian Eriksen did hit the frame of the goal in the first-half.
Petr Cech would also be forced into a superb save from Eric Dier as Spurs tried to get themselves back into the game.
However, Arsenal were solid at the back and energetic all over the pitch, with Ozil outstanding in midfield, and the three points were thoroughly deserved.
Indeed, the victory made it 11 home league wins in a row for the north Londoners, their best winning streak on home soil since 2015.
11 – Arsenal have won 11 home Premier League games in a row, their best run since winning 13 consecutively at Highbury between February and November 2005. Fortress. pic.twitter.com/KrP9hMAl8c
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 18, 2017
The Gunners’ much-needed win sees them move to within a point of Tottenham, who failed once again to back up those ‘power-shift’ claims.
Arsenal fans will no doubt be wondering why their team can’t play like that every week.