Arsenal Overcome Early Setback to Defeat Tottenham 2-1 in North London Derby

Gunners close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool after a spirited comeback at the Emirates.

Arsenal revived their Premier League title hopes with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling North London derby on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side fell behind early after Son Heung-min’s opener but turned the game around before halftime through a Dominic Solanke own goal and a well-taken strike from Leandro Trossard.

The win lifted Arsenal to within four points of league leaders Liverpool, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. While Liverpool remain favorites with a game in hand, Arsenal’s victory keeps the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s side as the title race heats up.

Arsenal Bounce Back Amid Recent Struggles

The Gunners entered the derby on the back of a disappointing run, having lost to Newcastle in the League Cup semifinals and been knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United. With injuries piling up—Bukayo Saka sidelined after hamstring surgery and Gabriel Jesus facing a possible season-ending knee injury—questions surrounded Arteta’s ability to keep Arsenal’s title challenge alive.

However, history favored the hosts. Arsenal had dominated this fixture in recent seasons, winning seven and drawing one of their last eight league encounters with Spurs.

For Tottenham, the defeat piles pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou, whose side has now gone five league games without a win, losing four and slipping to 13th in the table. Despite an impressive 1-0 win over Liverpool in the League Cup semifinal first leg, Spurs' inconsistency remains a major concern.

Son Strikes First, but Arsenal Respond

Tottenham started brightly, taking the lead in the 25th minute when Arsenal failed to clear a corner properly. Son pounced on the loose ball and unleashed a powerful shot that deflected off William Saliba and past David Raya, taking his tally to eight goals in North London derby history.

However, Arsenal responded just before halftime, albeit in controversial circumstances. A 40th-minute corner—replays suggested the ball had actually come off Trossard for a goal kick—led to the equalizer. Declan Rice’s delivery was misjudged by Spurs' debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, and Gabriel’s header back across goal ricocheted off Solanke and into the net.

Tottenham’s frustration deepened four minutes later when Arsenal took the lead. Thomas Partey won possession in midfield and fed Martin Ødegaard, whose pass released Trossard into the box. The Belgian rifled a low shot past Kinsky, who could only get a weak hand to it as the ball nestled into the far corner.

Arsenal Hold On to Secure Crucial Victory

Arsenal remained in control after the break, though they wasted several opportunities to extend their lead. Kai Havertz missed two headers—one wide and another straight at Kinsky—while Rice and Ødegaard both tested the Spurs keeper.

Tottenham pushed for a late equalizer, with Pedro Porro rattling the post in stoppage time, but Arsenal held firm to claim a vital three points.

The win keeps the Gunners in the title hunt, while Tottenham must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the table.