Mikel Arteta becomes fastest Arsenal manager to reach 100 Premier League wins

The Gunners won the North London derby. 

After the Gunners managed to overcame the obstacle of a north London rivalry and a nervous final few moments  to keep up momentum of  their Premier League title run alive with a crucial victory at Tottenham, Mikel Arteta became the quickest Arsenal manager in Premier League history to reach 100 wins.

The Spaniard reached the 100 victory mark in his 169th game in charge, while his former boss  and Arsenal's greatest manager every manager Arsene Wenger reached the mark in 179 games in charge of the Gunners

The Premier League leaders, led by Mikel Arteta’s team, is 1 points clear of second-place Manchester City, at the moment who have  a game in hand. Their match is scheduled to go off later against another London based club Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Gunners’  clash with their fierce rivals was thought to be the most dangerous of their upcoming games, but they pounced upon the gaps left by Spurs.  Staying in tune to the way they have played all season exploited Spurs’ defensive weaknesses to take the charge of the clash with a three-goal lead into halftime.

Three minutes from the end of normal time, Heung-min Son s converted from the penalty spot after Declan Rice had fouled Ben Davies, sending Arsenal off course after a horrendous clearance by custodian David Raya gave Cristian Romero a goal after 64 minutes.

After 15 minutes, Arsenal took the lead when the recalled Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turned a corner from Bukayo Saka into his own net and giving Arsenal the lead thanks to an own goal by their bitter rivals. Thirty-seven minutes later, the England attacker capped off a sweeping counterattack with a cool finish to give Arsenal their second goal. 

Spurs were furious that Leandro Trossard fouled Dejan Kulusevski before Saka’s goal, and their fans were forced to tear their hair out in pure frustration once Kai Havertz, who was unnoticed, headed in Arsenal’s third goal from a second corner shortly before halftime. Spurs had been unlucky as they had seen Micky van de Ven’s goal disallowed for a slight offside with the score 1-0.

After that, Arsenal were happy to finish the game-winning, but Raya gave Spurs hope by committing an unforced error and clearing right to Romero. Son’s penalty kick looked to spark an unexpected comeback, but Arteta’s team managed to end the game and undermine their bitter rivals’ chances of finishing in the top four. Arsenal’s easy victory turned into a tense derby in North London which for a moment looked like could get better of the young guns of Arteta as they were forced to clean up on by their own errors. 

Although the Gunners were never quite at their best, 3 points are 3 points and that  is what matters at this stage of the season. They eventually got over the line, but not before an intensely competitive final few moments to give them a scare, but they eventually did cross the line.

Cover Credits - Goal.com