Gary Neville has labelled Mikel Arteta's trusted ally 'a nuisance' following Arsenal's impressive performance against Tottenham. The former Manchester United defender praised Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after the Gunners took an early lead in Sunday's North London Derby.

Arsenal entered the match with a clear intention to put pressure on Manchester City, who faced struggling Nottingham Forest later in the day Arteta was seen jumping for joy on the sidelines when a well-executed set-piece led to the opening goal in the first half.

Bukayo Saka's cunning delivery was inadvertently deflected past his own goalkeeper by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the 15th minute, triggering ecstatic celebrations from the Arsenal bench. Amidst the jubilation, Neville quickly acknowledged Jover, dubbing the set-piece coach "a little nuisance".

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The Sky Sports commentator remarked: "They've got the first goal, Arsenal, and it has been the same Arsenal set-up all year, and it's been good all year. "Ben White the nuisance, the five big lads at the back getting across that near-post and [Takehiro] Tomiyasu does just enough."

"He just blocks Hojbjerg and he can't get a full head on it. He just glances it and the goalkeeper, Vicario, it's past him in a flash. He's no chance," Neville added, as reported by the Mirror. "Arteta jumps up and there he is, the set-piece coach. He's a little nuisance that set-piece coach, but he's damn good! ".

The day only improved for Arteta and his team when Saka doubled Arsenal's lead with a signature finish following a quick counter-attack. Jover would receive praise from Neville, once more, after Kai Havertz nodded in another corner to give the Gunners a commanding 3-0 lead just before half-time.

Commenting on Havertz's goal, Neville said: "It's getting messy for Spurs, but Arsenal are sending a message - 'over to you, Manchester City'. Set-pieces, Arsenal have been outstanding at them all season.

"In parts of the season where they weren't playing great football, it was the attacking set-pieces such a big factor. They've just got options. The delivery is perfect but there's four or five of them in there all looking like they could get a glance on it. Havertz does. He's on a dream run, the German. There he is again, the set-piece guru gets a hug [from Mikel Arteta]."

Arsenal were made to hang on in the final few minutes after Crisitain Romero clawed a goal back and Son Heung-min converted a penalty. However, the Gunners came away with a vital three points to help their title bid and keep pressure on Man City.