Title out of reach for Arsenal

DANNY ROSE marked his introduction to the Premier League in spectacular style, striking a 25-yard volley that set Tottenham on course for a victory that ended Arsenal’s interest in the title race.

Rose, 19, struck in the ninth minute and his effort was followed with a 46th minute strike from Gareth Bale. Arsenal staged a late recovery with Nicklas Bendtner pulling one back in the 84th minute but Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes produced three stunning saves to deny the visitors.

The outcome means Arsenal now lie six points adrift of leaders Chelsea with just four games remaining. Tottenham meanwhile remain in the thick of the race for fourth, lying just one point behind Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger admitted the Gunners faced a very tough task to catch Chelsea at the top of the table with the Blues six points ahead.

He said: “It will be difficult, yes, now of course. We’ll continue to fight but it makes it very difficult.

“As long as it’s not mathematically impossible it is not impossible. Our job is to fight and we will do that. But even if they drop points we are far (behind).”

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, hailed his side’s effort.

“It was a great result for us on the back of a big down on Sunday. It knocked us all for six,” he said.

“To play like that after Sunday is fantastic. The crowd want to beat Arsenal more than anybody. They were right with us tonight.

“We hung in there late on and the keeper made some fantastic saves. He was superb tonight. Everybody worked hard and it was a great result.”

Almost inevitably the first chance of the game had fallen to Sol Campbell when the former Spurs defender moved forward for Arsenal’s first corner of the game and almost deflected the ball past Gomes.

Stung, the home side responded impressively with Rose, starting in place of David Bentley who had disappointed at Wembley, worked his way down the right hand flank and picked out Roman Pavlyuchenko with a low pull back.

The Russian seemed certain to score but his gaol-bound shot was deflected over by the out-stretched leg of Thomas Vermaelen and Arsenal thought the danger had passed.

Not so. Luka Modric’s corner was punched clear by keeper Manuel Almunia, but fell temptingly for Rose who connected with the sweetest of volleys, returning the ball past the Spaniard from 25 yards.

It was the kind of goal most players spend a whole career waiting to score yet the 19-year-old had managed it in his first league appearance for his club.

Arsenal responded in kind and two minutes later had an opportunity to level when Nicklas Bendtner headed wide from Gael Clichy’s left wing cross, triggering and succession of attacks and counter-attacks as the game maintained its early feverish tempo.

Chances were limited, in Spurs case largely due to the excellence of Campbell. Vermaelen was forced out of the game with an injury in the 19th minute, requiring the veteran to shoulder even more responsibility and Campbell responded impressively.

But it was clear Arsenal would have to demonstrate a much sharper cutting edge after the break if they were to haul themselves back into the game.

The last thing they needed was to concede a second goal immediately after the restart but that is exactly what happened when Bacary Sagna lost concentration and allowed Gareth Bale to score the decisive second goal.

Jermain Defoe started the move, advancing positively down the left hand flank before picking out Bale in the Arsenal area.

The Wales full back had been left completely unmarked by the rest of the Arsenal back-four who were unaware Sagna had switched off and presented with a routine chance, Bale slotted past Almunia to claim his last league goal since he scored in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in 2007.

Arsene Wenger was furious at the slip and wasted little time in introducing Theo Walcott in place of the hapless Sagna.

Then, midway through the half, the manager introduced Robin van Persie for his first appearance since suffering a knee injury whilst on international duty with Holland during the opening weeks of the season.

Gomes produced a stunning save to deny Van Persie’s 80th minute volley, before three minutes later Gomes produced an even better save to deny the Dutchman’s free kick.

Bendtner gave the visitors a lifeline when he scored in the 85th minute but Spurs held out, and Arsenal’s title hopes lie in tatters.

Substitutions for Tottenham: Bentley for Rose (46), Crouch for Pavlyuchenko (88), Gudjohnsen for Defoe (67).

Substitutions for Arsenal: Walcott for Sagna (52), Silvestre for Vermaelen (20), Van Persie for Denilson (68).

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.