Mikel Arteta admits North London Derby did not go to plan as Bukayo Saka shows Arsenal progress

Prior to this match Mikel Arteta admitted that he had been talking to Arsene Wenger for advice on how to get over the line in title races. His biggest tip? «Find a way to win football matches.»

In Sunday's pulsating North London Derby, you could argue they did that twice.

In the first half Arsenal played a game we have hardly seen from them this season. They sat deep in their own box for much of the opening period and looked to pick Spurs off on the counter. It was far from intentional, as Arteta admitted afterwards.

«They forced us,» he said. «We had an issue with the high press. We gave so many balls away, simple balls, our ball circulation wasn't good enough. They commit so many players so their structure forces you as well to have one or two more players in certain areas that provokes you to be a little bit deeper.»

Crucially though, it was effective. Arsenal had two shots on target and 28% possession in the first half and yet went in 3-0 up. The Gunners have been so domineering in so many games this season, but, in the North London Derby of all matches, they ceded control and seemed to revel in it.

Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham as Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka star in nervy derby win

What Ben White did to Vicario before Arsenal first goal vs Tottenham in North London Derby

Then in the second half, it was more like the Arsenal we've grown accustomed to this season. The Gunners pinned Spurs back and would have been 4-0 up were it not for the outstretched boot of Guglielmo Vicario when Bukayo Saka's volley seemed destined to find the back of the net.

They were cruising to a famous victory before David Raya's lapse in concentration gifted Spurs a route back into the game. Still Arsenal attacked though, and it was not