Tottenham Hotspur boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification and dealt a blow to Arsenal's chances of another top-four finish as they ran out 2-1 winners in an absorbing North London derby at White Hart Lane.
Gareth Bale continued his superb form with the opening goal on 37 minutes and Aaron Lennon made it 2-0 before the interval as Arsenal's defensive deficiencies were ruthlessly exposed.
Best of the match
- Man of the match: Vertonghen. Alongside Dawson, either one of Spurs' centre-halves could have scooped the award, but for his sheer composure and positioning, the Belgian star triumphs.
- Goal of the game: Bale. His finish from Sigurdsson's through ball was as calm as you'd expect from a man in the form of his life.
- Save of the match: Neither keeper had a standout moment, but Lloris' domination of his six-yard box was a sight to behold.
- Moment of the match: Lennon's goal completed a three-minute salvo for Spurs that cruelly illustrated Arsenal's defensive woes.
- Talking point: Tottenham return to third place, and thanks to their 12-game unbeaten Premier League run they will surely be eyeing Manchester City in second rather than looking behind them now.
The Gunners came back strongly after the interval as Per Mertesacker's header got a deflection off Bale on its way to goal, but Tottenham held on to reclaim third place and stretch their lead over Arsene Wenger's men to seven points.
There was a fast tempo to the game from the outset and it was Arsenal who had the first effort on goal when Olivier Giroud's header was comfortably held by Hugo Lloris, while Jan Vertonghen had to be alert to slide in with a good tackle as the French striker threatened again moments later.
Emmanuel Adebayor, sent off against his former club in the reverse fixture at Emirates Stadium, picked up an early yellow card following a reckless tackle on Aaron Ramsey as both sides battled to gain control of a congested midfield.
Arsenal worked their way into a few good positions but were then unable to deliver a decisive final pass, and it was Spurs who suddenly carved out a commanding lead with a two-goal blitz late in the first half.
Bale broke the deadlock with a calm finish past Wojciech Szczesny after beating the offside trap to latch on to a Gylfi Sigurdsson through ball, and it was a similar story two minutes later as Scott Parker's pass set up Lennon to skip round the goalkeeper and double Tottenham's lead.
Arsenal reduced their arrears in the 51st minute when Mertesacker's glancing header from a Theo Walcott free-kick was diverted past Lloris' despairing dive by a touch from Bale.
Nacho Monreal flashed a swerving volley narrowly wide from outside the area and Lloris did well to rush off his line and intercept a dangerous low cross from Carl Jenkinson as Spurs survived a few nervy moments.
Arsenal continued to press forward in pursuit of an equaliser but left gaps at the back for Tottenham to exploit on the counter-attack, although the hosts were not able to capitalise as Bale blazed a glorious chance over the bar and Sigurdsson mistakenly tried to square the ball when he just had the keeper to beat.
Jermain Defoe also drilled an effort wide after coming on for Adebayor and Bale smashed a powerful drive straight at Szczesny, while at the other end Ramsey fizzed a low shot just beyond Lloris' right-hand post from the edge of the area.
Walcott curled a free-kick wide in a frantic finale, and there were six minutes of stoppage time following an injury to Mousa Dembele, but Arsenal could not find a way through as Tottenham clung on to move a step closer to a Champions League spot.
Tottenham vs. Arsenal: 6 Things We LearnedArsenal Lack Attacking Verve
Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have been guilty of occasionally shambolic defending for several seasons now. The difference this year is that they are also weak going forward.
A team with top-four aspirations cannot afford to have a porous defence and a poor attack.
Last season, Arsenal's blushes were repeatedly spared by the brilliance of Robin van Persie. This campaign, they have no one to provide those moments of salvation.
Arsenal fans will lament two defensive errors, but the truth is that despite sustained possession, they never seriously threatened the Spurs' goal.
Carl Jenkinson Knows What the Derby Means
With Bacary Sagna out injured, many feared Carl Jenkinson would be cruelly exposed on the big stage.
In fact, Jenkinson turned out to be one of Arsenal's better players. With Gareth Bale chosen to play centrally, Jenkinson had plenty of room to get forward, and it was a big surprise when he was replaced by Tomas Rosicky.
Until that point, Jenkinson had been Arsenal's main attacking outlet. He played with all the heart and spirit of a true Arsenal fan.
Some Spaniards Need Time to Adapt
The instant success of the likes of Santi Cazorla and Michu had banished the idea that players from La Liga require a period of adaptation. However, Arsenal full-back Nacho Monreal seems to be struggling to come to terms with the demands of the Premier League.
The injury to Kieran Gibbs has forced Monreal to be thrown in at the deep end, and he is suffering slightly. In Spain, he had a reputation as a solid defender, but he was arguably culpable for both Tottenham's goals on this crucial derby day.
After this poor display from Monreal, Kieran Gibbs will expect to reclaim his place as soon as he is fit again.
Thomas Vermaelen May Be on the Way out
Arsenal captains have a habit of walking away from the club. Perhaps this summer Thomas Vermaelen will follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.
Since inheriting the armband, Vermaelen's performances have declined dramatically. His ability on the ball remains unquestioned, but he is plainly struggling with the tactical aspects of the game. His positioning is frequently off, and Arsenal are being regularly punished for his absentminded defending.
Perhaps he is already thinking of his next destination. Given his recent performances, selling Vermaelen would not necessarily be a bad thing for Arsenal.
Arsenal Wasted the Transfer Window
With Olivier Giroud ineffective as the central striker, Arsenal were crying out for an alternative from the bench.
All season long, it's been clear they needed another striker, and yet Arsene Wenger inexplicably allowed the opportunity to sign one to pass him by in January.
The only player Arsenal signed in January was a defender, Nacho Monreal, and that buy was only prompted by a serious injury to Kieran Gibbs.
The club's failure to sufficiently strengthen the squad could prove very costly come May.
The Season Is Not Over
Despite a derby defeat that leaves Arsenal trailing Spurs by seven points, the season is far from over.
Tottenham's next few games see them facing the likes of Liverpool, Swansea, Everton, Chelsea andManchester City.
Arsenal's other rival for a Champions League spot, Chelsea, face a couple of North London derbies and an intimidating trip to Anfield.
Arsenal's fixture list, meanwhile, is rather more inviting. Furthermore, unlike Tottenham and Chelsea, the Gunners don't have any cup competitions to distract them from their primary goal of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
There is still plenty to play for.
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