Arsenal bottle up Blues

Arsenal 1 Tottenham 0

A goal from Jose Antonio Reyes was enough to earn the Gunners victory and keep Chelsea waiting for just a little bit longer much to the agony of the west London's clubs players, gathered at a hotel to watch the game on television.

The result means Jose Mourinho's team will need to beat Bolton at the Reebok on Saturday evening to earn their first title in 50 years, while Arsenal have put a four-point gap between themselves and Manchester United in the race for second place.

Reyes, who has been so short on confidence recently after reports suggesting he has struggled to settle in England, was the key man last night.

He missed a glorious chance to put Arsenal ahead in the very first minute when Robin van Persie, another of Arsenal's next generation, threaded a superb through-ball straight into his path.

Reyes did the hard part, rounding goalkeeper Paul Robinson, but then he inexplicably fired his right-foot shot into the side-netting.

The Spanish international looked crestfallen, but he was able to make amends after 22 minutes when another young hopeful, Cesc Fabregas, sent him through again. And this time Reyes made no mistake with a thumping, low left-foot finish that gave Robinson no chance.

It was a blow for Tottenham, the perennial bridesmaids of north London football, because this match seemed a glorious opportunity to confirm their rapid improvement by wiping away memories of the fateful day when Arsenal clinched the 2004 title

at White Hart Lane last season.

They had one or two bright moments in a high-energy first half, but Jermain Defoe was superbly kept out by Jens Lehman when he beat two men and fired for goal only to see his effort bravely blocked.

Arsenal, however, were enjoying their football and really should have gone 2-0 ahead when captain Patrick Vieira had a free header from a Reyes free-kick, but somehow put it wide.

The home side's improved defence they have conceded only five goals in 12 league and FA Cup matches since February must also give them some hope that Chelsea's first title will not necessarily lead to an era of domination.

Another young talent Philippe Senderos, chosen for this match ahead of fit-again Sol Campbell, has been a large part of that defensive revival and he produced a saving tackle of true quality to deny Kanoute following a trademark sprint into the penalty box.

At times Arsenal's football was truly thrilling, bringing back memories of those early-season days whey they played with such confidence and flair.

Both van Persie, with a sumptuous turn and shot, and Fabregas, with an effort that flew a little further wide, went close to adding to Arsenal's lead but they were more constrained in the second half as Tottenham got to grips with their task.

Arsenal came close to adding to their lead after 69 minutes, however, with a thumping Senderos header from a van Persie free-kick before Kolo Toure, of

all people, hit a 70th minute 30-yard free-kick so hard that it would have beaten Robinson hands-up had it not been just an inch too high.

Substitute Edu hit the post with a cheeky chip after being fed by Pires seconds later and Reyes wasted a great chance to finish a fine passing move when he drilled his effort into the side-netting with 13 minutes to go.

Dennis Bergkamp and Edu again also went close, while substitute Robbie Keane had a glorious late chance for Tottenham, heading agonisingly wide after 88 minutes as the visitors at least exerted some pressure in the dying moments.

Overall Arsenal were worthy winners, and how they must be rueing that defeat at Manchester United last October, and a lean spell that followed in November, which cost them any real chance of defending their title.

True, the revival has seen them unbeaten in the last nine games, but that has only delayed the inevitable for Chelsea, who surely won't be too worried at this stage of the season.

After all, the champagne is probably a lot cheaper in Bolton than in the Kings Road.

ARSENAL: Lehmann; Lauren, Toure, Senderos, Cole; Fabregas (Edu 69), Vieira, Gilberto, Pires; van Persie (Bergkamp 69), Reyes (Aliadiere 88).

TOTTENHAM: Robinson; Kelly, Dawson, King, Edman, Davies, Carrick, Davis (Ziegler 78), Reid; Kanoute (Mido 69), Defoe (Keane 78).

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).