Gunners fire three past Spurs

Arsenal 3 Spurs 0

Arsenal charged back to the top of the Premiership for the first time in six weeks in the best possible fashion as they gave their north London rivals a Highbury roasting.

Spurs were not helped by referee Mike Riley, who wrongly brandished two yellow cards in as many minutes to Simon Davies, which had the Welsh winger back in the dressing room after only 26 minutes, but that only helped the Gunners highlight the gulf which exists between the two teams.

Thierry Henry was again the inspiration, opening the scoring after 13 minutes with one of the goals of the season, and then having a hand in the other two, scored by Freddie Ljungberg after 54 minutes then Sylvain Wiltord 13 minutes later.

Spurs have not won at Highbury since 1993, and at the current rate it will be a long time before they do beat their rivals, who have not last now in the last seven derby meetings.

The result also meant Arsenal extended their run to scoring in every one of their last 43 Premiership matches, and they have not conceded a goal in four hours and 41 minutes, while Spurs have now failed to score for four hours and 38 minutes in the Premiership.

Arsenal looked sharper from the start of a red-hot derby and Henry scored a wonder goal after 13 minutes, although it was helped to look outstanding by Tottenham’s appalling defending – or lack of it.

Spurs had a throw-in level with Arsenal’s 18-yard box, which was intercepted by Patrick Vieira. Henry picked up the loose ball and ran from deep inside his own half past Matt Etherington, Ledley King and Stephen Carr, before coolly curling the ball inside Kasey Keller’s right hand far post from eight yards.

Spurs had their first real chance to hit back after 21 minutes when Davies was first to reach a ball over the top down the right flank.

He sent in an early cross for Robbie Keane, but the Republic of Ireland striker made a poor connection with his header and it was an easy save for Shaaban.

The first booking of a passionate game arrived after 22 minutes and it went to Davies, who was a bit late on Ashley Cole, although it was hardly malicious.

Arsene Wenger’s team suffered their first setback after 35 minutes when Bergkamp, who had taken a couple of knocks, went off injured, and was replaced by Robert Pires.

The game exploded into controversy after 26 minutes when Davies made another strong tackle, this time on Vieira who went down in a heap. It looked incredibly harsh as referee Riley pulled out the yellow card, followed by the red, and Spurs were down to 10 men.

It was no surprise to see Glenn Hoddle make a change at half-time, as Gus Poyet came on to replace Etherington.

But Tottenham’s misery increased when Arsenal doubled their lead after 54 minutes. Jamie Redknapp claimed he was fouled as he was dispossessed by Ljungberg, who then fed Henry in the box. Ljungberg continued his run and had the simplest of tasks as Henry squared the ball and the Swede swept home goal number two.

Arsenal had a lucky escape on the hour when Dean Richards was clean through on goal. The big centre half tried to chip the ball beyond Shaaban, but he showed a defender’s touch and Pascal Cygan got back to clear.

The Arsenal fans delighted in the fact that Hoddle made a double substitution after 65 minutes which saw Sheringham and Redknapp replaced by Steffen Iversen and Darren Anderton.

Arsenal continued to drive forward and a one-two inside the box after 66 minutes resulted in Wiltord receiving Ljungberg’s pass and flashing the ball over the bar.

Spurs were trying to play their passing game, with Anderton now pulling the strings, but it was all in their own half and Arsenal were happy to see them get nowhere.

It mattered not anyway, as Arsenal grabbed a killer third goal after 68 minutes, with a supreme passing move of their own down the right channel.

The ball was worked between Pires, Henry, Pires and then Wiltord, who finally stroked home the ball from six yards, with Spurs bamboozled.

The Highbury fans were singing: “Stand up for the Champions” and were delighting in their team giving a roasting to their fiercest rivals.

Arsenal could afford to give Henry a breather, and after 75 minutes he was replaced by Francis Jeffers.

Two minutes later it was the turn of Vieira to take a rest, as he was replaced by Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Spurs won a free-kick just outside the Arsenal box after 78 minutes when Cygan handled. Anderton drilled the ball through the wall but Shaaban beat it away with his fists.

Pires curled in a corner from the right after 86 minutes and Cygan sent a powerful header wide at the near post, and by then the Spurs fans were heading for the exit.

Some good defending by Richards prevented Wiltord adding a fourth in the final minute, and the final whistle signalled scenes of noisy celebration for the Gunners.