Arsenal silenced doubts over their title credentials with a clinical 4-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur, moving five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Despite a midweek stumble against Wolves and a hostile atmosphere under new Spurs boss Igor Tudor, Mikel Arteta’s side remained “calm and ready.”
Eberechi Eze haunted his former suitors with two goals, while much-criticized striker Viktor Gyokeres added a brace of his own to seal a dominant North London derby win.
“This chapter we wanted to write. We have managed it,” Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live.
With 10 games remaining, the race for glory is set to go to the wire with a potential title-deciding clash at the Etihad on 18 April.
The two rivals also meet in the Carabao Cup final on 22 March.
While Arsenal lead by five, Pep Guardiola’s City retain a crucial game in hand.
The Gunners are now just 10 matches away from their first league title since the 2003-04 “Invincibles.”
On this evidence, the nerve that failed them in past seasons has been replaced by a ruthless, championship-caliber edge.
