Tottenham vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups ...

Tottenham Hotspur are hosting Arsenal in a crunch north London derby in the Premier League this afternoon.

The contest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be pivotal in the title race, with Manchester City travelling to Nottingham Forest later, and Spurs’ battle with Aston Villa to finish inside the top four. With Liverpool suffering a hammer blow to their title hopes on Saturday, Mikel Arteta’s side remain the biggest threat to Pep Guardiola’s champions after thrashing London rivals Chelsea midweek.

Spurs will hope to bounce back two weeks since their heavy defeat to Newcastle, with Son Heung-min determined for his side to test themselves against “one of the best teams in the world”. Follow live updates from the Premier League fixture, below, and get the latest Tottenham vs Arsenal predictions and odds, here.

Tottenham vs Arsenal LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• 2pm BST kick-off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

• Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski, Son, Werner

• Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Trossard

• GOAL - 16’, Hojbjerg heads into his own net from an Arsenal corner (0-1)

• NO GOAL - 22’, Van de Ven nets to equalise but is ruled marginally offside

• GOAL - 26’, Saka beats Davies and curls into the bottom corner (0-2)

• GOAL - 38’, Havertz heads in from another corner for a huge lead (0-3)

• GOAL - 65’, Romero scores after horrible Raya error (1-3)

Tottenham Hotspur FC 1 - 3 Arsenal FC

84’ - Spurs 1-3 Arsenal

15:46 , Karl Matchett

Davies fouls Saka and is lucky to escape a yellow card. One minute later it’s copy and paste as Saka rolls the left-back and turns away before being brought down - this time the Welshman is booked.

Porro then clatters Odegaard - lots of breaks in play, lots of chances for Arsenal to reset, lots of Tottenham frustration. The minutes are winding away with very little happening, which is absolutely fine for the league leaders.

Son escapes a tackle, Thomas brings him down, another yellow card. Three in a few minutes.

80’ - Spurs 1-3 Arsenal

15:42 , Karl Matchett

Martinelli breaks down the left wing and beats Kulusevski for pace - the Swedish winger, tracking back, is booked for tripping his opponent.

Spurs finally trying to push numbers on and get the ball wider earlier, but it’s hardly a full-on assault from them. Into the last ten minutes and the crowd are starting to get irate at the lack of risk-taking to get back in the game.

76’ - Spurs 1-3 Arsenal

15:40 , Karl Matchett

Martinelli almost gifts Spurs another chance after being caught dribbling in his own box, then up the other end he nearly dispossesses Porro and Van de Ven has to intervene to close out the chance.

Richarlison and Rice clash in the centre circle and the Brazilian is lucky to not get booked for pushing out and then berating the ref when he stops him taking a quick free-kick.

72’ - Spurs 1-3 Arsenal

15:36 , Karl Matchett

Into the final 20 minutes to go plus some stoppage time. Spurs haven’t quite managed to push on from that goal being handed to them by Raya.

Arsenal back in control with cool possession and biding their time, not really committing too many players forward.

Richarlison hasn’t been too involved since coming on either.

68’ - Spurs 1-3 Arsenal

15:32 , Karl Matchett

Spurs fans suddenly up and chanting and demanding their team up the tempo. They sense an improbable chance to get back into the game.

Ben White is pulled up by the ref for a foul throw, in a lesser-spotted move.

GOAL! 64’ - Spurs 1-3 Arsenal

15:29 , Karl Matchett

Oh dear!! David Raya, what are you doing?! There’s no pressure, he delays a pass, he’s closed down and chips it straight to Romero who is pressing high upfield for some reason, he brings it down and the centre-back plants it into the bottom corner!

3-1 now, Spurs...not quite back in it, but reason for hope at least.

62’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

15:28 , Karl Matchett

Subs for both teams now.

Hojbjerg off, Bissouma on. Richarlison also on for Maddison. Martinelli for Trossard for Arsenal. Which subs will have the most impact?

58’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

15:22 , Karl Matchett

Havertz is played in by a cute Odegaard lofted pass but his touch isn’t on point this time and the chance escapes him.

Almost a quarter of an hour gone in the second half and Raya hasn’t been asked a single question yet by the trailing hosts.

54’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

15:19 , Karl Matchett

Big Romero tackle on Tomiyasu whose touch was loose. Arteta wanders outside of his technical area to urge his team to keep passing and keep the tempo high.

Johnson takes on White and wins a corner - better from the home team.

50’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

15:16 , Karl Matchett

Not much of an impact from Spurs since the restart. Presumably they are not already in damage limitation mode - they do need to make sure they hit back fairly soon though you’d imagine.

Instead it’s Arsenal who push on and Havertz crosses for Saka who half-volleys at goa - brilliant save from Vicario.

46’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

15:11 , Karl Matchett

We are back underway and Sarr is on for Bentancur in Spurs’ second change.

Tomiyasu sends a diving header flying just over the Spurs bar immediately after the restart.

HT - Spurs vs Arsenal

14:59 , Karl Matchett

Bukayo Saka’s cool, curled finish was a milestone goal for him this term and a notable one in the history of the north London derby, too.

Also brings him level with Spurs forward Son for the season in the Premier League, too.

HT - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

14:52 , Karl Matchett

And that’s the whistle for the first half - sensational from Arsenal in terms of both solid defensive positional play and also a really clinical touch in the box.

Spurs have a lot of work to do at the interval to get themselves back into the match - and back into the top-four chase.

45+3’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

14:51 , Karl Matchett

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a lot more morose and quiet now than it was 45 minutes ago. What looked a potentially promising start from them has turned into a dismal first half.

Maddison feeds Kulusevski as they look to finish the half on a positive note but Porro’s shot is awkward, it’s half-cleared and Romero eventually fouls Havertz.

44’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

14:47 , Karl Matchett

Massive chance for Son and he has to do better. One ball over the to puts the skipper in and although the centre-backs are chasing him, he’s clear to shoot against Raya - and smashes miles over the bar.

Six minutes added on at the end of the first half.

42’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

14:44 , Karl Matchett

Well, what a disappointment for Tottenham. They were pretty good in the first 30 minutes of the match, but lacked a finish, were denied by VAR and have been utterly appalling at the back on set plays.

Awful 45 minutes for them as a result and a lot for Postecoglou to sort out.

Arsenal fans, on the other hand, are very much enjoying themselves and their team is laying down the gauntlet to Man City ahead of their evening match.

GOAL! 38’ - Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

14:40 , Karl Matchett

It’s three for Arsenal! Another corner, this time from the left and Kai Havertz rises unmarked to nod in at the near post - poor from Spurs on the set piece again but the Gunners are in dreamland!

34’ - Spurs 0-2 Arsenal

14:36 , Karl Matchett

Hojbjerg has been pretty loose even apart from his own goal and he’s just lost the ball to Saka and hurt himself in the process.

Here’s that Saka goal to enjoy - unless you support Spurs - after a quick break following Spurs appeals for a penalty.

30’ - Spurs 0-2 Arsenal

14:34 , Karl Matchett

Pause for breath as there are two down injured. Odegaard has a head clash and needs treatment; Werner is down too and after a check on his knee is being replaced by Brennan Johnson.

Amid all that there was a VAR check for a penalty for Spurs but neither challenge on Kulusevski nor Maddison were anything like enough for a foul. On we go, 2-0 to Arsenal.

GOAL! 26’ - Spurs 0-2 Arsenal

14:29 , Karl Matchett

Slightly odd stat there considering it was almost 1-1, seven shots in the match but none on target yet!

Spurs haven’t got Son into the game too much yet. Maddison goes down in the box but that was never a foul or penalty. Havertz launches it long to Saka...and now there is a shot on target as he’s bent one right into the bottom corner!! 2-0 to Arsenal on the break!

NO GOAL! 24' - Spurs 0-1 Arsenal

14:27 , Karl Matchett

Back to one nil to the Arsenal - Van de Ven is ruled offside by a small margin!

Gabriel was the last man but he’s just the wrong side. No goal.

GOAL! 22’ - Spurs 1-1 Arsenal

14:25 , Karl Matchett

Kulusevski drives on and belts a shot at goal - deflected wide by Saliba’s block.

The corner comes in and ricochets around, Porro shoots from the edge of the box and it’s deflected to Van de Ven who powers in a drive past Raya to equalise!

Buit hold on, this is going to be very close with a VAR check - he’s right in line with the last defender as the shot comes in initially.

20’ - Spurs 0-1 Arsenal

14:23 , Karl Matchett

Almost an equaliser for the hosts as a corner of their own is met by a foreceful Romero leap and header - it flies just an inch wide of the post.

Moments later Maddison wins a free-kick and delivers it to the far post...again Romero meets it and this time he hits the post! Arsenal escape.

GOAL! 16’ - Spurs 0-1 Arsenal

14:17 , Karl Matchett

Spurs’ turn to gift possession back to their rivals outside the box; Romero comes to the rescue this time as he races across to block Rice’s first-time shot.

The corner is swung in by Saka and it’s licked on by Hojbjerg...straight into his own net! Arsenal ahead!

16’ - Spurs 0-0 Arsenal

14:16 , Karl Matchett

Son wins the ball in the final thid but Spurs are a little too cautious initially as they look to craft the perfectly clear shooting chance - they go backwards, Arsenal get men back and eventually Maddison blazes well over the bar.

Partey swings a pass over the defence for Trossard to chase onto but the offside flag is up.

12’ - Spurs 0-0 Arsenal

14:13 , Karl Matchett

Maddison pulls down Thomas on the edge of the penalty box and it’s a first decent shooting chance for the Gunners. Trossard and Odegaard over it, the latter takes...straight into the wall and cleared.

Disappointing first effort from the captain but more to come no doubt - he has been in sensational form of late.

8’ - Spurs 0-0 Arsenal

14:11 , Karl Matchett

Werner runs at White and drills in a cross-shot of sorts, which Raya holds easily. Spurs making a fast start here, pushing on against the Arsenal centre-backs and running at White and Tomiyasu either side.

The noisy home fans urge them on, but it’s a patient probing matter so far.

4’ - Spurs 0-0 Arsenal

14:08 , Karl Matchett

A few annoyed whistles and jeers among the home fans as two decisions go against them. Thomas in midfield for Arsenal has been involved in a couple of those, looking slightly sluggish in the early stages.

A surprise Jorginho isn’t in the lineup today, perhaps.

Somewhat end to end in midfield terms, but no early penalty box actions.

1’ - Spurs 0-0 Arsenal

14:04 , Karl Matchett

Underway! Spurs start fast and look to push on twice down the flanks; Tomiyasu tries to leave an early one on Kulusevski and the ref has a quick word.

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

14:00 , Karl Matchett

Go time in north London! A huge match awaits us - let’s see how it plays out.

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:51 , Karl Matchett

James Maddison spoke recently about Tottenham’s involvement in the title race - that is, playing teams who were in it, and the annoyance of themselves not being one.

“I’ve got no interest to be honest. We’ve got our own goals for the season and I’m not bothered,” he said.

“If we end up winning games against teams that are in that race, it makes no difference. We’ve got a job to do.

“We are where we are and that is something that gives us good motivation to want to be in the title race next year, seeing how good it is this year.

“For sure, that’s definitely the feeling. That’s filtered down from the manager.

“It’s annoying really, listening to three teams go at it for the title and we’re not in it, especially after the start of the season we had.

“How exciting is the title race this season? It’s amazing, it’s brilliant for a neutral. My friends and family, everyone is locked into the Premier League every week at the minute because it’s such a good title race.

“Frustrating not to be a part of that but we are where we are and we have our own job to do.”

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:46 , Karl Matchett

Under 15 minutes until kick-off now at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A reminder of the lineups:

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:40 , Karl Matchett

Recent Premier League form:

Spurs - WLWDWL

Arsenal - DWWLWW

On home soil, though, Spurs have won the last three, while Arsenal have won five of the last six away from home.

The top scorers in the league for each team are Son Heung-min (15) and Bukayo Saka (14).

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:34 , Karl Matchett

And for Arsenal, it’s somewhat simpler...

They are one point clear at the top, having played one game more than Manchester City.

Effectively, they simply have to win all their remaining matches and hope that Pep Guardiola’s team slip-up somewhere along the way. One draw for City and all the rest wins, plus all Arsenal wins, means it goes to goal difference for the title - Arsenal currently have an eight-goal advantage there.

Much can yet change, though, and getting the job done today is the only really important aspect for Arteta and co.

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:27 , Karl Matchett

Here’s the state of play for Spurs, then...

They currently sit in fifth, seven points behind Aston Villa - but having played three matches fewer. While that means it’ll be a packed schedule for Tottenham in the run-in, Villa’s second-half collapse against Chelsea yesterday does mean it’s effectively back in Spurs’ hands for fourth.

If they were to win all three they’d be two points ahead. If they win two and draw today, for example, it would be down to goal difference - Villa’s is currently five goals better, so a pair of 2-0s would leave only one in it.

All very convoluted and largely irrelevant if the Gunners spank their rivals here, mind.

Fifth will get a Europa League spot for next season in all probability after the Premier League clubs mostly exited Europe last week.

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:20 , Karl Matchett

The Premier League is heading for a classic title race, with Manchester City and Arsenal set for a thrilling battle as we enter the final weeks of the season.

But what was shaping up to be a three-way race for the title is now down to two challengers. Liverpool dropped points for the fourth time in five Premier League games as they were held to a 2-2 draw at West Ham, after a 2-0 defeat at Everton all but eliminated Jurgen Klopp’s from the title race.

With City in action in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, both Arsenal and Liverpool were left with two games to play before City’s next Premier League fixture. Arsenal did their job, beating Wolves away and then thrashing Chelsea to move four points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side,

The champions have another game in hand after thrashing Brighton on Thursday night, as Guardiola’s side aim to win a fourth league title in a row – a feat that has never been achieved in the history of English football, and the title is still in their hands.

So, with four weeks to go, which team has the best fixtures and who has the hardest run of games to end the season?

Here’s where the title could be won and lost...

Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures in the run-in?

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:12 , Karl Matchett

Ange Postecoglou will not let Tottenham’s motivation going into Sunday’s north London derby be driven by stopping Arsenal winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

The overall picture for Spurs has changed since they lasted played on April 13, with fourth-placed Aston Villa able to establish a six-point advantage while fifth is no longer set to provide Champions League football.

It does not decrease the significance of Sunday’s clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Arsenal aware a victory would move them a step closer to a first title in 20 years.

However, Postecoglou referenced his time in charge of Celtic when he looked ahead to a crucial fixture between two bitter rivals.

Arsenal ‘demise’ not motivating Ange Postecoglou as Spurs chase own achievements

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

13:03 , Karl Matchett

Lineups are in - here’s the team news for the derby:

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski, Son, Werner

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Tottenham vs Arsenal - LIVE

12:58 , Karl Matchett

Team news is just a few minutes away - the Gunners are not expected to make many changes away from their regular strongest lineup, but Spurs continue to battle several injuries and left-back Destiny Udogie is done for the season.

We’ll see very shortly who Postecoglou and Arteta select for this massive match-up.

We have to look after ourselves – Mikel Arteta not concerned by Arsenal’s rivals

12:50 , Karl Matchett

Mikel Arteta insists his sole focus remains on Arsenal’s last four games of the season and not on the results of their Premier League title rivals.

The Gunners will go into Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham top of the table, although the destination of the title is not in their own hands with reigning champions Manchester City just a point behind and with a game in hand.

With Liverpool also involved, the three-way title run-in has already provided twists and turns but – as interest peaks towards the end of the campaign – Arteta is happy to sound like a broken record as he aims to deliver a first league crown to Arsenal in two decades.

We have to look after ourselves – Mikel Arteta not concerned by Arsenal’s rivals

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes VAR has ‘damaged English football’

12:40 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says VAR is “damaging English football” after his side were denied an injury-time winner at Aston Villa.

The Blues thought they had overturned a 2-0 half-time deficit at Villa Park when Axel Disasi crashed home a header only for it to be ruled out for a foul on Diego Carlos in the build-up.

Referee Craig Pawson did not award the foul in real time but did so after being advised to check the pitchside monitor by VAR Christopher Kavanagh.

It puts the decision-review system further in the spotlight after Nottingham Forest accused VAR Stuart Attwell of being biased after he failed to intervene on three penalty decisions.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes VAR has ‘damaged English football’

Ange Postecoglou issues Richarlison injury update ahead of north London derby

12:30 , Karl Matchett

Tottenham forward Richarlison is primed to start upon his return from injury for Sunday’s north London derby with Arsenal.

Spurs enter this home fixture after a two-week break, which has allowed Richarlison to fully recover from a knee injury that halted an impressive run of nine goals in 10 matches and prevented him starting since February 17.

Tottenham have struggled for consistency in Richarlison’s absence and lost 4-0 at Newcastle a fortnight ago, but the Brazil international is ready to provide a point of difference and bring the physicality to Arsenal’s rock-solid defence on Sunday.

Ange Postecoglou issues Richarlison injury update ahead of north London derby

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to ‘put rivalry aside’ against Tottenham

12:17 , Karl Matchett

Mikel Arteta has urged his players to put their north London rivalry with Tottenham to one side as Arsenal look to stay top of the Premier League with victory at their neighbours.

The Gunners will make the short trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday knowing they will remain at the summit if they leave with the three points.

It would take Arsenal a step closer to a first league crown in two decades, when Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles secured the title at White Hart Lane.

Spurs have since moved into a new home and will have a partisan crowd cheering them on against Arsenal as the hosts aim to keep their own top-four ambitions on track.

Arteta wants to remove the emotion of derby day and focus on the job at hand.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to ‘put rivalry aside’ against Tottenham

What the awful abuse of Declan Rice’s partner tells us about men and football

12:00 , Karl Matchett

It’s a scene as old as time: rows of loyal and passionate supporters chanting from the terraces in support of their beloved sports team. Beautiful, emotional and stirring, chanting in unison in a stadium environment can be one of the most moving and arresting sounds you’ll ever hear.

It can also be disgusting, abusive and extremely hurtful.

The tribal nature of chanting is partly what makes watching sport exciting. Anyone remember the empty-stadium matches we all had to watch on TV during the pandemic? In the absence of “live” fans in the ground, even the most anticipated of games between bitter rivals were reduced to what felt like a friendly kickabout in the park.

Fans, chanting, vocal support – it all creates atmosphere. And sport, now that we’ve experienced it, is worse off without it. But when does chanting turn into abuse?

On Tuesday night, Arsenal and England star Declan Rice was subjected to what can only be described as abusive chants from a group of Chelsea supporters watching the game. Except the chants weren’t just about him – they were also aimed at his girlfriend, Lauren Fryer.

Read Gemma Abbott’s Voices column on abuse at football matches:

What the awful abuse of Declan Rice’s partner tells us about football | Gemma Abbott

Son Heung-min reveals Tottenham relishing test against ‘one of the best teams in the world’

11:45 , Karl Matchett

Son Heung-min has acknowledged Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world but is confident Tottenham will bounce back from their Newcastle humbling in Sunday’s north London derby.

Spurs enter the fixture after an untimely two-week break on the back of a painful 4-0 loss at St James’ Park.

Arsenal were also reeling a fortnight ago but have responded to their Champions League exit with impressive back-to-back wins to return to the Premier League summit.

This match begins a difficult final month of the campaign for Tottenham, with fixtures to come against Arsenal’s title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City as well as London rivals Chelsea.

Son reveals Spurs relishing test against ‘one of best teams in world’

Tottenham vs Arsenal LIVE

11:30 , Karl Matchett

If there wasn’t so much tension around this game, and between these clubs, Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou might be able to settle in and discuss a few shared ideas. Both have worked in the City Football Group structure, which reflects how much the Abu Dhabi-owned champions shape the wider game. You can even look at how a former Manchester City player is joint top scorer with a current Manchester City player. There probably hasn’t been this extent of pure football influence since Barcelona fostered an entire generation of coaches from the early 2000s on. That is no coincidence since the City project directly sought to appropriate the entire Camp Nou ideology. This was one of the points of pursuing Pep Guardiola for so long.

A core of that philosophy, which seems so standard now but was once revolutionary, is persisting with the system regardless of what happens around you – or to you. You keep the faith. You trust the process. Arteta and Postecoglou have exemplified this, if from alternative interpretations of the tactics.

In his difficult first two years, the Arsenal manager insisted on playing through a possession game, even amid so many frustrating spells. Meanwhile, Postecoglou’s commitment to attack has been one of the themes of the season. “It’s just who we are, mate” has almost become a meme.

You keep going through the process until you reach a point of end product. You don’t actively think about it but internalise it. The idea is that it becomes second nature, and teams can play on instinct. A problem for both teams in this north London derby, however, is they can’t but think about what all of this means. It’s just the latest version of this fixture described as maybe the most important ever. Whatever the truth of that, it is certainly one where both have to produce. This is a game beyond theory or process. It’s to do, or die.

Miguel Delaney’s North London Derby preview:

The link between Arsenal and Spurs that reveals key to pivotal derby

Is Tottenham vs Arsenal on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch

11:18 , Karl Matchett

Tottenham can dent Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes in a crunch north London derby today.

Arsenal are bidding to win the Premier League title for the first time in 20 years and Mikel Arteta believes the Gunners cannot afford to drop points if they are to push Manchester City to the final weekend of the season.

But Spurs would love nothing more than to knock their rivals out of the title race, but it’s a must-win for Ange Postecoglou’s side anyway as they must win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.

Arsenal won 2-0 at Tottenham last January, beating Antonio Conte’s side, and Arteta’s side back in form after thrashing Chelsea 5-0 in midweek to go top of the table.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League fixture.

Is Tottenham vs Arsenal on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch

Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie ruled out for remainder of season by injury

11:00 , Jack Rathborn

Tottenham Hotspur’s top-four prospects have been dealt a blow after full-back Destiny Udogie was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Udogie has flourished in his first campaign in the Premier League and made 30 appearances in all competitions for Spurs.

The Italian defender has caught the eye with his ventures into midfield under Ange Postecoglou, but revealed in a post on Instagram that he had surgery on an unspecified injury and would not play again in the 2023-24 season.

“An injury brings my season to an early end,” Udogie wrote.

“It doesn’t take away from how grateful I am to every person that has supported me this year.”

Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie ruled out for remainder of season by injury

Does Son Heung-min make your team of the season?

10:45 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta salutes ‘unbelievable’ Kai Havertz after another impressive display

10:30 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta hailed an “unbelievable” performance from Kai Havertz after his two goals helped Arsenal move three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a thumping 5-0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

The 24-year-old, who struggled in his early appearances after swapping Stamford Bridge for north London in the summer, gave a superb display against his former side as the leaders heaped more misery on visiting manager Mauricio Pochettino, who saw his ninth-place team slump to a worst-ever league defeat against Arsenal.

Havertz struck twice as part of an 18-minute blitz in the second half as Arteta’s team won for the second time in four days, continuing their recovery from successive losses to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich.

“He (Havertz) was unbelievable, in all departments,” said Arteta.

“For a nine to score two goals the way he scored, his contribution was great. It’s a question for him but I’m sure he’s very pleased.”

Mikel Arteta salutes ‘unbelievable’ Kai Havertz after another impressive display

Arsenal have the best back line in the country - but does defence still win titles?

10:15 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta was Arsene Wenger’s captain and Pep Guardiola’s assistant. In the managerial family tree, he has no links to Sir Alex Ferguson. And yet part of his ethos appears to have been borrowed from the great Scot. “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles,” was one of Ferguson’s maxims; his attacks and wins could loom larger in the imagination.

Arsenal’s season could be an extended experiment in the second half of Ferguson’s theory. It looks ever likelier Arteta’s side will end the campaign with the finest defence: in some measures, far and away the best. Defence could win David Raya a Golden Glove and the Gunners records, but perhaps only a second consecutive finish as runners-up. And yet, if there are times this season when it has seemed Liverpool have appeared intent on rebuffing Ferguson’s truism – forever conceding first and looking to their attack to win both games and then titles – Arsenal are taking a more parsimonious path.

When the final whistle blew at Molineux on Saturday, it was with a historic first. No previous Arsenal team, not even with George Graham’s famously frugal back four, had kept six consecutive clean sheets away from home in the league. Arteta has spent 20 years in England and marvelled at the feat. “It is very difficult,” he said. “I don’t know when it was last done. I imagine not recently because it’s extremely difficult to do that.” Only Chelsea in 2008 and Manchester United in 2009 have mustered longer runs of clean sheets on their travels in the Premier League; Arsenal could equal each if they can make it a magnificent seventh on their shortest journey, to Tottenham, on Sunday.

Arsenal have the best back line in the country - but does defence still win titles?

Arsenal’s statement night proves one thing about revitalised Premier League title challenge

10:00 , Jack Rathborn

So much for this being one of Arsenal’s awkward remaining fixtures, not to mention the idea the title race was over. Chelsea had other plans for all that, precisely because they couldn’t implement any kind of gameplan of their own. They couldn’t do much at all.

It means that, on a night when Arsenal went three points clear at the top with a 5-0 victory that is maybe Mikel Arteta’s best performance yet, it is hard not to talk about Chelsea. Focus will be back on Mauricio Pochettino’s future. Focus should be on the wider running of this club. This was the humiliation that Chelsea had looked in danger of suffering for some time. So much, too, for the players stepping up in the absence of an ill Cole Palmer.

They were instead just trodden on by an Arsenal side that were completely in the mood. It was one of those where it could have been much worse for Chelsea, given the amount of chances that were missed in the first half alone. Kai Havertz, a player that Chelsea sold to make way for more untried youth in this almost inexplicable recruitment model, enjoyed a signature performance of his own. The German scored twice, as did Ben White, the victory becoming so routine for Arsenal that a defender not usually known for his finishing could amble forward. Leandro Trossard opened it all after just five minutes, to ensure the match was barely ever a proper contest in any meaningful sense.

Arsenal’s statement night proves one thing about revitalised title bid

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to ‘put rivalry aside’ against Tottenham

09:45 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta has urged his players to put their north London rivalry with Tottenham to one side as Arsenal look to stay top of the Premier League with victory at their neighbours.

The Gunners will make the short trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday knowing they will remain at the summit if they leave with the three points.

It would take Arsenal a step closer to a first league crown in two decades, when Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles secured the title at White Hart Lane.

Spurs have since moved into a new home and will have a partisan crowd cheering them on against Arsenal as the hosts aim to keep their own top-four ambitions on track.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to ‘put rivalry aside’ against Tottenham

Son Heung-min reveals Tottenham relishing test against ‘one of the best teams in the world’

09:30 , Jack Rathborn

Son Heung-min has acknowledged Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world but is confident Tottenham will bounce back from their Newcastle humbling in Sunday’s north London derby.

Spurs enter the fixture after an untimely two-week break on the back of a painful 4-0 loss at St James’ Park.

Arsenal were also reeling a fortnight ago but have responded to their Champions League exit with impressive back-to-back wins to return to the Premier League summit.

This match begins a difficult final month of the campaign for Tottenham, with fixtures to come against Arsenal’s title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City as well as London rivals Chelsea.

Son reveals Spurs relishing test against ‘one of best teams in world’

Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures – Man City, Arsenal or Liverpool?

09:15 , Jack Rathborn

The Premier League is heading for a classic title race, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal set for a three-way battle as we enter the final weeks of the season.

Or is it down to two? Liverpool’s defeat to Everton on Wednesday was the third time in four Premier League games in which Jurgen Klopp’s side have dropped points, and it all but eliminated Liverpool from the title race with just four games to go.

With City in action in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, both Arsenal and Liverpool were left with two games to play before City’s next Premier League fixture. Arsenal did their job, beating Wolves away and then thrashing Chelsea to move four points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side,

The champions another game in hand after thrashing Brighton on Thursday night, as Guardiola’s side aim to win a fourth league title in a row – a feat that has never been achieved in the history of English football, and the title is still in their hands.

Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures in the run-in?

Tottenham vs Arsenal

09:00 , Jack Rathborn

Good morning.

It promises to be a huge day in the Premier League title race kicking off in north London when bitter rivals Tottenham and Arsenal face off.

Spurs would love nothing more than to derail the Gunners’ title dreams, before Manchester City travel to Nottingham Forest in the late kick-off.

Mikel Arteta’s side can pile on the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s champions, while Ange Postecoglou will hope to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the battle to finish fourth.

We’ll have all the build-up and team news ahead of kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The link between Arsenal and Tottenham that reveals key to pivotal north London derby

Friday 26 April 2024 18:06 , Jack Rathborn

If there wasn’t so much tension around this game, and between these clubs, Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou might be able to settle in and discuss a few shared ideas. Both have worked in the City Football Group structure, which reflects how much the Abu Dhabi-owned champions shape the wider game. You can even look at how a former Manchester City player is joint top scorer with a current Manchester City player. There probably hasn’t been this extent of pure football influence since Barcelona fostered an entire generation of coaches from the early 2000s on. That is no coincidence since the City project directly sought to appropriate the entire Camp Nou ideology. This was one of the points of pursuing Pep Guardiola for so long.

A core of that philosophy, which seems so standard now but was once revolutionary, is persisting with the system regardless of what happens around you – or to you. You keep the faith. You trust the process. Arteta and Postecoglou have exemplified this, if from alternative interpretations of the tactics.

The link between Arsenal and Spurs that reveals key to pivotal derby