Mikel Arteta warned Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals that his side are not taking their foot off the gas despite moving six points clear at the top of the table with an emphatic win over Tottenham.
Inspired by a superb hat-trick from Eberechi Eze, the Gunners stormed to a thumping 4-1 win over Spurs at the Emirates to deliver a statement victory over their arch-rivals.
And after both Liverpool and Manchester City suffered damaging defeats on Saturday, Arsenal’s win means they now sit six points clear of second-place Chelsea and in a commanding position in the title race.
The Gunners know full well how quickly the title picture can change, having conspired to finish runners-up in each of the last three seasons.
And, therefore, Arteta insisted his team will read nothing into the current league table, despite their superb start and six-point advantage over the chasing pack.
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Asked what his side’s six-point lead meant at this stage of the season, the Spaniard told reporters post-match: ‘In this league? Not much.
‘We are doing really well. We’ve been really consistent and that’s it.
‘I mean, when you look at the results, whether they win or lose, the difference in the scoreline and actually what happens in games is really small.’
Asked how crucial it was to get back to winning ways, especially after City and Liverpool dropped points on Saturday, Arteta added: ‘Yeah, and especially after the Sunderland game, at the end we lost two points in the last kick of the game, basically.
‘And we went to the international break with that bitter feeling because we didn’t concede any goals and we had 10 straight wins.
‘And we wanted to get back to earning that momentum again and the London Derby and today’s performance. It’s a good start.’
Metro at the Match: Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham
It just had to be Eze
A first north London derby and what a way to announce yourself against the club that almost signed him in the summer. Eberechi Eze was given license to roam and find space, and he repaid that faith with two well-taken finishes.
Trossard continues to go under the radar
The Belgian was kept quiet in the first 30 minutes, but a superbly timed run and finish gave Arsenal the lead and Leandro Trossard his fifth goal contribution in ten games. Arteta will find him hard to drop even as Madueke and Martinelli return to full fitness.
Hincapie impresses in Gabriel’s absence
Given his first league start since joining in the summer, Piero Hincapie proved exactly why Arteta previously described him as a ‘warrior’. The Ecuadorian didn’t have loads to do but threw himself at every ball and challenge when it came hs way.
Full Arsenal player ratings: Raya 7, Timber 7, Saliba 6, Hincapie 7, Calafiori 6, Zubimendi 6, Rice 7, Eze 9, Saka 7, Merino 7, Trossard 6. Subs: Madueke N/A,Nwaneri N/A, Mosquera N/A, Lewis-Skelly N/A.
Danso fails to deliver
Kevin Danso lined up alongside Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero as Frank opted for a back-five against Arsenal, but a nervy display from the Austrian only got worse when he allowed Trossard to ghost in behind him for the opener. No surprise he didn’t re-emerge after the break.
Odobert anonymous
The young Frenchman was given the opportunity in Tottenham’s front three, but struggled to have any impact on the game before making way in the second half. The left side of Spurs’ attack remains one area where Frank is yet to find his preferred man.
Vicario the only positive
Perhaps the only saving grace for Tottenham was that it was only the four goals shipped to their arch rivals. For that, they have Vicario to thank, who, while still unconvincing on the ball, remains a superb shot-stopper, denying Eze and Rice superbly either side of the half.
Full Tottenham player ratings: Vicario 6, Spence 5, Romero 5, Van de Ven 5, Danso 3, Udoig 4, Palhinha 6, Bentancur 5, Kudus 5, Odobert 3, Richarlison 6. Subs: Simons 5, Sarr 5, Kolo Muani 5, Porro N/A, Johnson N/A.
Metro’s Ben Fleming with the ratings live from the Emirates
Arteta was also full of praise for the display from Eze, who scored a superb hat-trick against the club who came so close to signing him over the summer.
The midfielder was given license to roam all over the attacking third, reigning down shots on Guglielmo Vicario’s goal throughout the encounter.
‘Yeah, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. It can be right, left, ball on the ground, bouncing ball at this height, and he takes it,’ Arteta said of Eze’s willingness to get shots away.
‘And he has such a quality and capacity to finish actions in different ways that we need to play him very close to the box, because apart from that, for example, the ball that he put to Declan in the second minute, I think it was, to play him through and create that big chance is exceptional.
‘We need to play him in his qualities. The more he spends time there, the better for the team.’
Arsenal face a quick turnaround after Sunday’s win, with the Gunners now turning their focus to the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday before they pay a visit to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea next Sunday.
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