Arsenal have taken another important step in their quest to lift the Premier League trophy. The Gunners are aiming to end their 20-year wait for a league title and extended their lead in first place to four points by winning the North London Derby.

Mikel Arteta’s side successfully navigated what could have been a potentially season-defining game against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fears of Tottenham damaging their title bid were quickly reduced as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turned the ball into his own net before Bukayo Saka doubled Arsenal’s advantage, inside the opening half-hour, with Kai Havertz adding a third in the first half.

Cristian Romero pulled a goal back for Spurs after the break and Son Heung-min converted a late penalty to set up a nervy end to the game. It could be a crucial victory for Arsenal, who will relish earning north London bragging rights. In the title race, Manchester City have two games in hand but will have to win both to leapfrog Arsenal, who have built up an impressive goal difference.

The win over Spurs has improved Arsenal’s goal difference to +57. That is significantly more than Man City’s total of +48.

It means that Pep Guardiola’s side cannot rely on having a superior goal difference and will have to finish on a higher points total than the Gunners to claim the league title. Meanwhile, Liverpool are five points off Arsenal with a goal difference of +41 but are mathematically still in the title race.

City have an immediate opportunity to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top back to a single point as they take on Nottingham Forest in the East Midlands. Ironically, Arsenal will hope that Spurs will be able to do them a favour as Ange Postecoglou’s side host Man City in their penultimate game of the season.