Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mikel Arteta’s side held on to secure a 3-2 North London derby win over Tottenham.
The title chasers took the lead through a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg own goal, with Spurs then seeing an Micky van der Ven equaliser ruled out for a narrow offside.
Buyako Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead following a counter-attack before Kai Havertz headed in from a corner to secure a 3-0 half-time advantage.
Cristian Romero pulled a goal back following a David Raya error, with a late consolation goal setting up a nervy finish at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Mail Sport’s Issan Khan rates the players as Arsenal held on to secure a crucial victory in their title bid and damage Tottenham’s hopes of securing Champions League football.
Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Tottenham
![The result significantly damaged Tottenham's hopes of securing Champions League football](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84189343-13359031-image-a-22_1714317535882.jpg)
The result significantly damaged Tottenham’s hopes of securing Champions League football
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TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)
GUGLIELMO VICARIO: 5.5
Conceded three goals. Not helped by his defenders who failed to deal with Ben White’s gamesmanship in the box on corners.
PEDRO PORRO: 6
Battled away in the face of multiple Arsenal waves of attack, particularly in the first half.
CRISTIAN ROMERO: 7.5
Swashbuckling performance. Missed three chances to score with his head but got a goal back, and was in forward positions for the final 20 minutes.
MICKY VAN DE VEN: 6.5
Scored early on, which was ruled out for offside. Put in some good tackles.
BEN DAVIES: 5.5
Struggled against Bukayo Saka. Was run ragged for Saka’s goal on the break.
![Cristian Romero pulled one back for Tottenham following a mistake by David Raya](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84188815-13359031-Cristian_Romero_pulled_one_back_for_Tottenham_following_a_mistak-a-23_1714317803914.jpg)
Cristian Romero pulled one back for Tottenham following a mistake by David Raya
![Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was recalled to the starting line-up but headed into his own net](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84189135-13359031-Pierre_Emile_Hojbjerg_was_recalled_to_the_starting_line_up_but_h-a-24_1714317810761.jpg)
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was recalled to the starting line-up but headed into his own net
PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG: 5
His glancing header gave Arsenal an own goal. Went missing in the match
RODRIGO BENTANCUR: 6
Broke up play and drove forward, too.
DEJAN KULUSEVSKI: 7
A constant threat. Played some nice over the top deliveries and didn’t hesitate to get crosses in.
JAMES MADDISON: 6
Had a good chance after 12 minutes blazed over. Would have wanted more of an impact.
TIMO WERNER: 5.5
Shot straight at Raya after eight minutes. A quiet game.
SON HEUNG-MIN: 6.5
Finished his penalty under pressure. Did his best to keep Spurs in the final third.
![Dejan Kulusevski was a constant threat for Tottenham and produced some top deliveries](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84189597-13359031-image-a-29_1714318347501.jpg)
Dejan Kulusevski was a constant threat for Tottenham and produced some top deliveries
![Son Heung-min reduced the deficit for Spurs from the penalty spot after a foul by Declan Rice](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84188821-13359031-Son_Heung_min_reduced_the_deficit_for_Spurs_from_the_penalty_spo-a-25_1714317819553.jpg)
Son Heung-min reduced the deficit for Spurs from the penalty spot after a foul by Declan Rice
Substitutes
RICHARLISON: 7
Good link up play with Kulusevski. Gave Arsenal a scare at the end.
GIOVANNI LO CELSO: N/A
YVES BISSOUMA: 6
A mixed display.
PAPE MATAR SARR: 6.5
Brought energy to the middle of the park.
Manager: ANGE POSTECOGLOU 6.5
Didn’t jump towards changing despite the scoreline. Stuck to his guns and it nearly paid off.
![Ange Postecoglou stuck to his guns and was nearly rewarded with a second half comeback](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84189625-13359031-image-a-30_1714318445179.jpg)
Ange Postecoglou stuck to his guns and was nearly rewarded with a second half comeback
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA: 5
His howler, passing to Romero who scored, gave Spurs hope. An error that cannot be made at this level. Recovered well after this.
BEN WHITE: 6.5
Gamesmanship at corners to distract Vicario. This was key to two of Arsenal’s goals.
WILLIAM SALIBA: 6.5
Stayed calm in pressure situations. That composure helped his side.
GABRIEL: 7
Broke up Spurs’ play at the back multiple times. Spirited throughout.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 6
Started jittery and found it challenging against Johnson in the last 15 minutes. But his pressure resulted in Hojbjerg scoring an own goal.
![David Raya's error gifted Tottenham a route back into the match but the Gunners held on](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84189347-13359031-David_Raya_s_error_gifted_Tottenham_a_route_back_into_the_match_-a-26_1714317870157.jpg)
David Raya’s error gifted Tottenham a route back into the match but the Gunners held on
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6
Not involved much in first half but had more influence in second period.
THOMAS PARTEY: 6
High octane. Was reckless in the middle on occasion, but also had some eye-catching moments when breaking play forward.
DECLAN RICE: 6
His foul on Davies in the box allowed Spurs within touching distance of getting a result.
BUKAYO SAKA: 8
Well-executed corner resulted in opening goal. And then got his own goal after turning Davies inside out.
KAI HAVERTZ: 8.5
Great assist for Saka’s goal and then nabbed a header off a corner. Top display.
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6
A quiet game. Not much action of note.
![Saka scored Arsenal's second after turning inside Ben Davies before producing a curled finish](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84189579-13359031-image-a-28_1714318257215.jpg)
Saka scored Arsenal’s second after turning inside Ben Davies before producing a curled finish
![Kai Havertz gave Arsenal a 3-0 lead after heading in from a corner at the end of the first half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/28/16/84188915-13359031-Kai_Havertz_gave_Arsenal_a_3_0_lead_after_heading_in_from_a_corn-a-27_1714317881578.jpg)
Kai Havertz gave Arsenal a 3-0 lead after heading in from a corner at the end of the first half
Substitutes
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6
Dribbled in his own box which nearly caused an error. Slight lacking of confidence.
Jakub Kiwior: N/A
Manager: MIKEL ARTETA 6
His team dropped off in the second half. Just about survived in the dying minute.
Referee: MICHAEL OLIVER 5.5
Missed the penalty which required VAR to overturn.