In a thrilling North London derby, Arsenal emerged victorious with a hard-fought 3-2 win over bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners showcased a combination of perseverance, quality, and a stroke of luck to secure the much-needed victory, keeping Manchester City on their toes in the Premier League title race.

Last season, Arsenal's title hopes fizzled out in the final weeks of the campaign. Determined to avoid a repeat, manager Mikel Arteta sought the advice of former boss Arsène Wenger on navigating the pressure of the "later stages" of a title race. Although City remains the frontrunner to clinch the title, Arsenal's performance against Tottenham provides encouragement for their future endeavors.

Arteta acknowledged the need to adapt strategies in big matches, citing the importance of putting ego and ideology aside for the sake of victory. Notably, the Gunners displayed defensive diligence, combining it with attacking prowess to establish a commanding 3-0 lead. Goals from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (own goal), Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz set the stage for Arsenal's eventual triumph.

However, the match also highlighted that Arsenal is still a work in progress. Tottenham had their fair share of opportunities, hitting the post and having a goal disallowed on VAR review. Yet, it was Arsenal's own mistakes that sparked Tottenham's comeback. David Raya's error gifted Cristian Romero an easy finish, and a penalty from Son Heung-Min narrowed the gap. Nevertheless, Arsenal displayed resilience and held on for a hard-earned victory.

The win over Tottenham marks a significant milestone for Arteta's team, ticking off one of their toughest remaining challenges. Arteta believes that Arsenal is evolving into a team capable of winning in various ways, like their title rivals City. However, he remains cautious, emphasizing that the final judgment will be based on the outcome of the title race, urging his players not to get carried away.

Comparisons were drawn between Arteta and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou in terms of game management. While Arsenal has a set-piece specialist in Nicolas Jover, Postecoglou admits that Tottenham's focus lies more on overall game management rather than fixing specific areas of weakness. Postecoglou acknowledged Arsenal's maturity and attention to detail as key factors in their success, emphasizing the importance of not giving good opposition time and space.

The victory against Tottenham showcased Arsenal's progress, with key contributions from players such as Havertz, Rice, and Saka. Additionally, the solid defensive foundation provided by Gabriel and William Saliba, coupled with the physicality of Thomas Partey in midfield, has strengthened Arsenal's squad.

Although the title may still elude them, Arsenal's performance suggests they are prepared to challenge Manchester City until the very end. The Premier League title race promises excitement and intrigue as Arsenal and Arteta look to push City to the wire.