Lloris howler puts Arsenal on course for derby delight at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur’s French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris dives but concedes a second goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 15, 2023. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP)

Arsenal powered to their first Premier League win at Tottenham in nine years as the leaders took advantage of Hugo Lloris’ blunder to seal a 2-0 victory in Sunday’s north London derby.

Mikel Arteta’s side were gifted the lead by Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris, who pushed Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net early in the first half.

Martin Odegaard added Arsenal’s second goal with a superb long-range strike before the interval.

Arsenal’s first league double over their bitter rivals since 2013-14 moved them eight points clear of second placed Manchester City after the champions’ defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.

As Arsenal’s unexpected title charge gathers pace, their trip up the Seven Sisters Road to fifth placed Tottenham was a significant test of their mettle.

They passed with flying colours at a venue which had been a house of horrors for the Gunners, who had lost all three games at Tottenham’s plush new stadium since it opened in 2019.

Last season’s 3-0 collapse was especially painful, with Tottenham going on to snatch a top four finish at their neighbours’ expense.

But Arsenal no longer have to worry about scrapping for a top four berth after taking the Premier League by storm this season.

Even losing out to Chelsea in the race to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk on Sunday could be dismissed as a minor inconvenience thanks to this statement success.

Unbeaten in their last 12 league games, the Gunners are in pole position to win the title for the first