Arsenal have achieved a North London derby feat they never previously managed in the Premier League era thanks to their 2-1 comeback success over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening.
Owing to Nottingham Forest and Liverpool's 1-1 draw on Tuesday night, Mikel Arteta's men had a golden opportunity to close the gap to Arne Slot's men in the Premier League table with a statement win in the blockbuster battle.
The form book favoured Tottenham at the Emirates, though, as the Lilywhites have recorded successive wins over Liverpool and Tamworth in the EFL Cup and FA Cup respectively over the past week, while the Gunners lost to Newcastle United and Manchester United in both competitions.
Ange Postecoglou's team would also draw first blood thanks to a deflected Son Heung-min volley, but Arsenal's pressure eventually told as they levelled via a Dominic Solanke own goal, albeit a highly controversial one from a corner that seemingly should not have been a corner.
However, there was nothing debatable about Leandro Trossard's fine strike to put the hosts ahead, and even though Arsenal squandered more opportunities in the second period, they comfortably kept Tottenham at bay for a morale-boosting triumph.
Arsenal register third consecutive Premier League win over Tottenham
© Imago
Arsenal have now done the double over Spurs once again, having prevailed 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, while they also earned a 3-2 away success last season following a 2-2 draw at home.
As a result, the Gunners have beaten Tottenham in three straight Premier League matches for the first time ever, having not strung together a three-game winning streak in the top flight over their bitter rivals since 1989 before Wednesday's showdown.
That Premier League first is just one of a handful of positive statistics for Gooners to rejoice in, as their side are now unbeaten in a marvellous 17 consecutive Premier League matches against the established 'Big Six' teams.
Furthermore, Arsenal remain the only team in the Premier League this season not to have lost a single game at home, and they have not been defeated in any of their last 56 contests in the competition when leading at half time, winning 49 of them and drawing a further seven.
All in all, the Gunners have now achieved the Premier League double over Tottenham five times - two of which have been masterminded by Arteta, who also oversaw a pair of wins in the 2022-23 season.
What does Arsenal's win mean for the table?
© Imago
Arsenal's 12th Premier League success of the season takes them back above Nottingham Forest into second place in the rankings, and the gap to leaders Liverpool is now just four points.
However, the Reds still have a game in hand thanks to the postponement of December's Merseyside derby, which has now been confirmed for February 12, although it might have to be rescheduled again if an unlikely Champions League outcome materialises.
Arteta's men are a staggering 11 spots and 19 points better off than 13th-placed Tottenham, who are just eight points clear of the relegation zone and will drop down to 14th if Manchester United beat rock-bottom Southampton on Thursday.
Next up for Arsenal is another taxing home clash against Unai Emery's Aston Villa on Saturday, before Spurs hope to avoid a 12th Premier League loss of the season at Everton a day later.
Ben Knapton
