Arsenal finally Premier League title favourites following emphatic North London derby win over Spurs

Arsenal finally title favourites

Arsenal opened an eight-point gap at the top of the Premier League table by cruising to a 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday.

Having previously never lost to Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Antonio Conte’s charges had history on their side in North London, but those results counted for naught when the first ball was kicked.

A Hugo Lloris own-goal followed by a long-range strike by Martin Odegaard — both in the first half — were enough to claim the points and maintain Arsenal’s bid to win their first title since Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles in 2003-04.

A long pass from Thomas Partey released Bukayo Saka down the right, and the attacker cut onto his right foot before sending in a cross close to Lloris, who flapped at the ball and inadvertently directed it into the back of the net.

Another high-profile error from the Tottenham number one gave Arsenal a merited lead, although Tottenham were not totally camped in their own half, and Son Heung-min forced Aaron Ramsdale into a good save down low in the 18th minute.

However, normal service resumed not long after, as Odegaard’s long-range strike was beaten away by Lloris in the 22nd minute before Partey’s astonishing volley rattled the post three minutes later. Despite possessing a seemingly comfortable cushion, Arsenal survived a minor scare just before the break as Ramsdale kept out Harry Kane’s header at the near post, and the Arsenal number one was a busy man at the start of the second period.

After beating away Kane’s effort in the 50th minute, Ramsdale stuck out a foot to prevent Ryan Sessegnon from finding the far corner from a tight angle two minutes later, as Conte’s second-half specialists demonstrated a spark that was totally absent in the opening exchanges.

Odegaard, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and attacker Bukayo Saka were all outstanding for the Gunners, as Spurs were outclassed by their rivals and are now five points off the pace in the race to finish in the top four.

Arsenal’s Premier League title charge is now undeniable. For the first time this season, the Gunners are listed as favorites to win the Premier league with the bookmakers after their 2-0 win at Tottenham confirmed a crucial shift in momentum in the title race this weekend.

Manchester City’s loss at Manchester United, coupled with Arsenal’s North London derby victory, gave Mikel Arteta’s team an eight-point lead ahead of Arsenal finally Premier League title favourites following emphatic North London derby win over Spurs’s side. That advantage has made them title favorites for the first time since February 2016 when they defeat Leicester city.

This clash against Tottenham Hotspurs looked to mark the start of a testing period for Arteta’s side, who had lost all of their previous visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arsenal is set to face United at the Emirates next Sunday followed by a home game against City on Feb. 15.

Arleta has built a team that has flair and tenacity in equal measure, and they don’t appear — yet at least — to be troubled by nerves or the pressure of expectancy. Whether Arsenal’s squad is deep enough to last the course remains to be seen.