North London Is Red as Premier League leaders Arsenal thrash relegation candidates 

North London is Red once more as we thump the neighbours 4-1 again to re-assert our title credentials in our biggest Derby win since 1978.

1 - To Viktor the spoils:

 – Viktor Gyokeres enjoyed his best game yet in a Gunners shirt and with it increased his goals tally to 15 in all competitions since joining the club.

However, his impressive performance was not just based on his two goals, his all-round game was on point as he ran the left channel and made good runs all afternoon.

He had come close in the first half, with a header that was blocked by Draguisn and then fizzing a shot just wide of the post. Just two minutes into the second half he collected Jurrien Timber’s fine pass, took a touch and thumped an unstoppable past Vicario to put us back in front.

He was then involved in our third goal as his clever touch to Eberechi Eze led to Bukayo Saka’s shot which then came back to Eze to fire home our third goal. Martin Odegaard then got himself an assist when he made a welcome return to tee up Gyokeres who drove towards goal, holding off Gray firmly before firing home emphatically to complete this rout.

Such a display can only instil huge confidence in our Swedish striker as we head towards the crunch time of the campaign.

2 - Can Eze play you every week:

 – after just two North London Derby appearances, Eze has already set some amazing records, the bad news first – his first goal here was his first Premier League shot on target since his hat trick goal on November 23 in the reverse fixture.

Only Robert Pires (7) and Emmanuel Adebayor (6) have scored more Premier League goals against Spurs and his five goals puts him level with both Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. Eze’s only other Arsenal Premier League goal also came in a London derby in the 1-0 over his former employer, Crystal Palace in October. Eze was excellent throughout and Mikel Arteta must find a way to best integrate him into our first eleven on a regular basis.

3 - Raya back to his best:

 – after Wolves scrambled a hugely damaging equaliser in the dismal 2-2 midweek draw in the Midlands, David Raya came under plenty of scrutiny.

I think both Gabriel and Raya were equally at fault for that goal. However, in a match that was a test of our mental as well as football ability, he was back to his best. His handling throughout was excellent and he exuded a calmness throughout. He made a good save from Simons.

Yet, his best moment came with us leading 3-1 when he sprung to his right to claw away Richarlison’s flicked effort. It took superb reflexes and agility to reach the ball in the first place let alone get it to safety and he was rightly mobbed by his teammates.

A footnote to this victory is that William Saliba became the first Arsenal player in history to win his first four away games in this fixture.

We now a rare week off before the build up begins to a another crucial London derby on Sunday versus Chelsea.

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