Arsenal enjoyed a comprehensive North London derby victory over Tottenham as they strengthened their grip on the Premier League top spot.
The Gunners have now won seven of their eight league matches to date but Saturday’s victory was the sweetest so far for Mikel Arteta’s side. Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka were all on target in the victory, with Harry Kane’s first half penalty briefly bringing Spurs level.
It was a triumph that means Arsenal will finish the weekend top of the league – regardless of the result of Sunday’s Manchester derby – and continued the feel-good feeling at the Emirates. Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest stories coming out of a happy red half of North London.
Keown slams Ferguson behaviour to Gunners
Martin Keown has reacted angrily to discovering that Sir Alex Ferguson described Arsenal players as ‘babies’ when motivating his Manchester United stars ahead of matches between the two.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand revealed how Ferguson used to approach matches against the Gunners, who were his main domestic adversaries for much of his 27-year stint in the Old Trafford dugout.
The rivalry between the two clubs defined multiple Premier League titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, before the North London side were eclipsed by Chelsea at the top end of the standings before Manchester City and later Liverpool became regular title contenders at their expense.
Read about Keown’s response to Ferguson’s claims here
Arteta handed title warning by Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas suspects Arsenal’s Europa League commitments will be their biggest obstacle of being involved in the Premier League title race this season.
The Gunners triumphed 3-1 in Saturday’s North London derby clash against Tottenham at the Emirates, making it seven wins from their first eight Premier League matches this campaign. Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the standings – with last month’s loss at Manchester United their only dropped points so far.
Have Your Say! Are Arsenal serious title contenders this campaign ? Tell us what you think here.
Arteta’s team missed out on a top-four finish last season, having finished eighth in consecutive campaigns prior to that – and they have not won the Premier League title since their unbeaten term in 2003/04.
Read more about Fabregas’s thoughts on Arsenal’s title challenge
Jesus message for Xhaka
Gabriel Jesus summed up the feelings of many Arsenal fans as he declared "finally" while passing Granit Xhaka his Man of the Match award after Saturday afternoon's North London Derby triumph.
Xhaka scored the Gunners' third goal at the Emirates as they outclassed local rivals Tottenham to send themselves four points clear at the top of the Premier League. Aside from a poor misjudgement that lead to Spurs being awarded a penalty which Harry Kane converted in the first half, the Swiss dominated the midfield battle and took his goal well in the 67th minute to all but secure victory for the hosts.
Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus netted Arsenal's other goals in their thoroughly-deserved victory, which underlined their credentials as challengers for the title. But it was Xhaka who earned BT Sport's Man of the Match award, much to the delight of his Brazilian teammate.
