PLAYER RATINGS: Kai Havertz was the star of the show as Arsenal held on to beat Tottenham 3-2 in a thriller – but which Spurs player scored joint-lowest after ‘going missing’?

Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mikel Arteta‘s side held on to secure a 3-2 North London derby win over Tottenham.

The title chasers took the lead through a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg own goal, with Spurs then seeing an Micky van der Ven equaliser ruled out for a narrow offside.

Buyako Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead following a counter-attack before Kai Havertz headed in from a corner to secure a 3-0 half-time advantage.

Cristian Romero pulled a goal back following a David Raya error, with a late consolation goal setting up a nervy finish at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Mail Sport’s Issan Khan rates the players as Arsenal held on to secure a crucial victory in their title bid and damage Tottenham’s hopes of securing Champions League football.

The result significantly damaged Tottenham’s hopes of securing Champions League football 

TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)

GUGLIELMO VICARIO: 5.5

Conceded three goals. Not helped by his defenders who failed to deal with Ben White’s gamesmanship in the box on corners.

PEDRO PORRO: 6

Battled away in the face of multiple Arsenal waves of attack, particularly in the first half.

CRISTIAN ROMERO: 7.5

Swashbuckling performance. Missed three chances to score with his head but got a goal back, and was in forward positions for the final 20 minutes.

MICKY VAN DE VEN: 6.5

Scored early on, which was ruled out for offside. Put in some good tackles.

BEN DAVIES: 5.5

Struggled against Bukayo Saka. Was run ragged for Saka’s goal on the break.

Cristian Romero pulled one back for Tottenham following a mistake by David Raya

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was recalled to the starting line-up but headed into his own net

PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG: 5

His glancing header gave Arsenal an own goal. Went missing in the match

RODRIGO BENTANCUR: 6

Broke up play and drove forward, too.

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI: 7

A constant threat. Played some nice over the top deliveries and didn’t hesitate to get crosses in.

JAMES MADDISON: 6

Had a good chance after 12 minutes blazed over. Would have wanted more of an impact.

TIMO WERNER: 5.5

Shot straight at Raya after eight minutes. A quiet game.

SON HEUNG-MIN: 6.5

Finished his penalty under pressure. Did his best to keep Spurs in the final third.

Dejan Kulusevski was a constant threat for Tottenham and produced some top deliveries

Son Heung-min reduced the deficit for Spurs from the penalty spot after a foul by Declan Rice

Substitutes

RICHARLISON: 7

Good link up play with Kulusevski. Gave Arsenal a scare at the end.

GIOVANNI LO CELSO: N/A

YVES BISSOUMA: 6

A mixed display.

PAPE MATAR SARR: 6.5

Brought energy to the middle of the park.

Manager: ANGE POSTECOGLOU 6.5

Didn’t jump towards changing despite the scoreline. Stuck to his guns and it nearly paid off.

Ange Postecoglou stuck to his guns and was nearly rewarded with a second half comeback

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

DAVID RAYA: 5

His howler, passing to Romero who scored, gave Spurs hope. An error that cannot be made at this level. Recovered well after this.

BEN WHITE: 6.5

Gamesmanship at corners to distract Vicario. This was key to two of Arsenal’s goals.

WILLIAM SALIBA: 6.5

Stayed calm in pressure situations. That composure helped his side.

GABRIEL: 7

Broke up Spurs’ play at the back multiple times. Spirited throughout.

TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 6

Started jittery and found it challenging against Johnson in the last 15 minutes. But his pressure resulted in Hojbjerg scoring an own goal.

David Raya’s error gifted Tottenham a route back into the match but the Gunners held on

MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6

Not involved much in first half but had more influence in second period.

THOMAS PARTEY: 6

High octane. Was reckless in the middle on occasion, but also had some eye-catching moments when breaking play forward.

DECLAN RICE: 6

His foul on Davies in the box allowed Spurs within touching distance of getting a result.

BUKAYO SAKA: 8

Well-executed corner resulted in opening goal. And then got his own goal after turning Davies inside out.

KAI HAVERTZ: 8.5

Great assist for Saka’s goal and then nabbed a header off a corner. Top display.

LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6

A quiet game. Not much action of note.

Saka scored Arsenal’s second after turning inside Ben Davies before producing a curled finish

Kai Havertz gave Arsenal a 3-0 lead after heading in from a corner at the end of the first half

Substitutes

GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6

Dribbled in his own box which nearly caused an error. Slight lacking of confidence.

Jakub Kiwior: N/A

Manager: MIKEL ARTETA 6

His team dropped off in the second half. Just about survived in the dying minute.

Referee: MICHAEL OLIVER 5.5

Missed the penalty which required VAR to overturn.