This meant more.
Arsenal might not readily borrow a phrase from Liverpool FC, but there is no doubt that the sight of victorious Gunners communing with their joyous fans on Sunday evening meant more than just three valuable points in the title race.
This meant more. Questions had been asked of Mikel Arteta’s side, their mentality, their minerals, after two disappointing draws at Brentford and Wolves meant they dropped four points, with Manchester City looking ready to go stride for stride down the final straight of this season’s race for the Premier League.
Having finished second three years running, the football world was asking if Arsenal were about to choke again, lose their nerve and the chance to end 22 years of hurt, since their last title win.
The answer rang out loud and clear at the end of an enthralling north London derby, in which Igor Tudor discovered the size of his task as interim manager, charged with keeping Spurs out of the relegation zone.
“We are top of the league,” sang their fans, as their team reasserted a five-point lead over City.
Eberechi Eze – who else – scored twice, as did man-of-the-match Viktor Gyokeres, as the Gunners blew struggling Tottenham away once again, by the same score as in the reverse fixture last November.
Tudor, in his first game since taking over from the sacked Thomas Frank, saw his former charge Randall Kolo Muani give Spurs some cause for optimism with a 34th minute equaliser, but the Croatian is discovering the harsh reality of life at Tottenham, who were again without 12 players through injury and suspension.
But for Mikel Arteta’s men, this was the perfect riposte to the doubters. Arteta punched the air at the final whistle and was all smiles afterwards, as his players celebrated with their joyous supporters, who love nothing more than beating the old enemy.
“I cannot be prouder,” he said. “The way we lived the last 72 hours (since drawing at Wolves) meant this game needed some context. We lost two points in the last kick of the game, it was tough. Then you have to lift yourself up, you’re angry, upset and ashamed. You have to bring everybody together.
“This is not a job. It’s much bigger than that. It’s the purpose that we have, it’s what we love doing. It can be very rewarding and today football shows you to keep going. It is worth it with the people that we have in this club.”
It was not all plain sailing against a Tottenham team beset by injuries but keen to impress their new manager. Up until half-time Spurs gave as good as they got, but the gulf in quality between the two sides showed after the break as Arsenal turned the screw.
From the start, Spurs were on the backfoot and defending desperately, but a rash of missed chances suggested Arsenal jitters, before the opening goal in the 32nd minute. Bukayo Saka, restored to the right wing, beat Pape Mata Sarr to the byline for a cutback. Eze’s first touch was poor, the ball looping up in the air, but his second was sublime, a waist-high volley past Guglielmo Vicario from 10 yards.
Arsenal’s travelling supporters burst into life, but two minutes later Tottenham equalised. Declan Rice was at fault, getting caught in possession just outside his own penalty area by Randall Kolo Muani. The big Frenchman, who had thrived under Tudor at Juventus last season, drove into the box, held off a challenge and drilled a low shot past David Raya.
Now it was Tottenham’s turn to celebrate, and for the rest of the half, the home side played with a rare confidence and energy.
And after the break, they went close again when Xavi Simons cut in from the left to fire a shot that Raya did well to save at full stretch. But it was Arsenal who stepped up a gear, as Tottenham’s defence left Gyokeres far too much space on the edge of the penalty area, so that when he received a low cross from the right, he had time to control the ball, turn and curl a stunning shot past Vicario from 18 yards. Now Arsenal’s tails were up, and unlike in recent games at Brentford and Wolves, they never looked like relinquishing their lead.
Vicario had to be sharp to make a smothering save at Saka’s feet, as he had done at the end of the first half, and did so again when the winger was put through just after the hour mark. The loose ball fell kindly for Eze, who had the simple job of smacking it into an unguarded net. It was his seventh goal in his past three games against Spurs.
Kolo Muani had a second goal ruled out for a push on Gabriel, and substitute Richarlison forced a goal-line save from Raya with a cheeky backheel.
But Arteta’s team always looked more likely to score, and Gyokeres deservedly got his second goal in stoppage time to cap his best game yet in an Arsenal shirt.
“I can’t be angry with the players because I saw their passion and energy, but Arsenal were too much for us,” lamented Tudor.
“The result says a lot about both teams’ quality.” And if they continue to play like this, it could lead Arsenal to the title.
Vicario 7; Palhinha 5 (Tel 82), Dragusin 6, Van de Ven 6; Gray 6, Bissouma 5, Gallagher 5 (Solanke 62), Spence 6; Sarr 6, Simons 6; Kolo Muani 7 (Richarlison 68).
Raya 7; Timber 6 (Mosquera 57), Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Hincapie 6; Zubimendi 6, Rice 7; Saka 7, Eze 7 (Odegaard 76), Trossard 6 (Martinelli 76); Gyokeres 8
