Bukayo Saka matches Ian Wright feats in pulsating North London derby

Mikel Arteta's men travelled to hostile territory knowing that victory would see them build up a four-point lead over Manchester City before their title rivals took to the field against Nottingham Forest a couple of hours later.

The Gunners had eased to a 2-0 success on Tottenham's turf last year, but they were held to a 2-2 draw on home soil in September and had never previously won back-to-back away North London derbies in the Premier League era.

An emphatic triumph appeared to be on the cards after a gripping first half, though, as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's own goal, Saka's finish and Kai Havertz's header saw the visitors head into the break three goals to the good.

Arteta's side had survived several scares in the first half, though, and their magnificent run of six straight clean sheets on the road came to an end when David Raya played a mishit pass straight to Cristian Romero, who accepted that gift with a calm finish into the bottom corner.

Saka equals 30-year-old Arsenal North London derby record

Declan Rice's foul on Ben Davies then allowed Son Heung-min to cut the deficit down to one in the dying embers, but Tottenham would fall short of completing a tremendous turnaround as Arsenal extended their lead at the top.

Saka's composed finish into the bottom corner marked his 15th goal of a productive Premier League season, and in doing so, the 22-year-old emulated two of Wright's achievements during his compatriot's Arsenal heyday.

Saka is now the first English Gunners player to hit 15 goals in one Premier League season since Wright struck 23 in the 1996-97 campaign, in addition to becoming the first Arsenal Englishman to score in both North London derbies in one season since 1993-94.

It had been 30 years since Wright managed the latter feat for Arsenal, and speaking to Sky Sports News after the game, Saka admitted that Arsenal could have blown their 3-0 lead completely last year.

"That last 20 minutes wasn't nice but it was worth it. We know it's a big derby and they don't want to lose three-nil at home. Once they got one, the crowd was up, they were up," Saka said.

"The momentum shifted their way but I'm proud of all the boys. We fought to the end and got the three points. We just needed to be calm. Everything was quite frantic but we showed our level heads at the end and got the win.

"It was a very nice moment at the end with the fans. We know what it means to them and what it means to us, so we are delighted. It means everything. We've got three games to go and we are going to give it everything and see where it leaves us.

"Now it's shower, get on the bus, put the [Man City] game on and hope for the best! City are an amazing team but they're not perfect. No-one is perfect. They can drop points. We just need to do our job and see where it leaves us.

"Maybe last season that game could have ended in a draw but we showed that we have the experience now. We can come here and get three points, even when the stakes are high and it's a massive game."

Despite possessing a four-point lead over Man City, the crown remains out of Arsenal's hands, as they have played two more games than the reigning Premier League champions.

The Gunners now prepare to host Bournemouth next Saturday lunchtime, before closing their campaign away to Manchester United on May 12 and at home to Everton on May 19.