We observed three things as Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-0 in the North London derby to extend their lead to eight points. The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute due to poor defending, as a mistake by Hugo Lloris resulted in an own goal. The French keeper failed to clear a cross by Bukayo Saka, pushing it into his own goal at the near post.

The Arsenal team appeared to be full of energy and vitality, while the opposing team, Tottenham, seemed to struggle to gain momentum. Odegaard had a shot blocked by Lloris from a distance, but eventually succeeded in scoring the team’s second goal in the first half. Odegaard became the first Arsenal captain to score away against Spurs in the Premier League since Patrick Vieira.

Antonio Conte’s men will rue some costly mistakes made in the first half as they continue to struggle following a strong start to the season. Their streak of remaining unbeaten against the Gunners in their last eight home games has come to an end.

1. Arsenal Are Title Favourites

With this victory, Arsenal has achieved the Premier League double over their rivals Tottenham for the first time in nine years. Manager Mikel Arteta has been instrumental in turning the team’s fortunes around and the league title is now a realistic goal for them.

The Spaniard was visibly ecstatic on the sidelines, and the away fans were taunting the home crowd. The Gunners should set their sights higher and aim for more success after delivering a dominant performance against their biggest rivals.

2. Aaron Ramsdale With A Man Of The Match Performance

The performance of the goalkeepers on the field was vastly different. Lloris had a rough start, contributing to his team’s defeat, while Ramsdale was a key factor in securing the victory. The Frenchman made several errors, including an own-goal early in the game, a poor clearance that almost led to a goal, and a slow reaction to Odegaard’s shot for Arsenal’s second goal.

Ramsdale may be unpredictable at times, but he has great athleticism and presence. His saves in the first half from Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane were crucial in maintaining their lead. A reliable goalkeeper is a necessity for any team competing for the title.

3. Tottenham Need To Regain Their Form Quickly

Tottenham’s chance of securing a spot in the Champions League next season is becoming increasingly uncertain following this loss. They are currently five points behind Manchester United, who hold the fourth spot and have played one more game than them. Their room for error is quickly shrinking. Their fate in the league will largely depend on the outcome of their upcoming matches against Manchester City.

Arsenal beat Tottenham home & away in a @premierleague season for the first time since 2013-14 when Mikel Arteta was in their midfield #TOTARS pic.twitter.com/rUFjRtG3Df

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 15, 2023

Although the Spurs managed to recover from a similar situation and finish in the top four last season, it was attributed to the change in coach midway through the season. There is no indication that something similar will happen this season and Conte will have to find a solution quickly.

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It is understandable that Arsenal fans have been hesitant to entertain thoughts of winning the Premier League this season, but after this victory against Tottenham, it will be difficult for them not to. After suffering a 3-0 defeat at this same venue last season, which resulted in missing out on Champions League qualification, the Gunners put on a display that was fitting of a team contending for the title.

Overcoming the mental block of losing at Tottenham’s home ground has been a challenge for Arteta’s men in the past. It is yet to be seen if Arsenal can end their wait for the Premier League title this year, but they have certainly proven they are capable of competing until the end.

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