Comment: If Tottenham are a work in progress, Arsenal are there already

While Spurs are a work in progress, for Arsenal, a first title in 20 years is now in touching distance.

JOB DONE, ONTO THE NEXT: Arsenal's Martin Odegaard applauds the fans. Pic: Zac Goodwin, PA Wire.

IF THIS WAS the toughest test of Arsenal's title credentials, needing to win away in the white hot atmosphere of a north London derby, Mikel Arteta's men came through, albeit by the skin of their teeth rather than with flying colours.

What should have been a formality once Arsenal raced into three-goal lead before half-time became a nail-biting affair for their fans, as Spurs belatedly showed their teeth after the break, and set Arteta's nerves jangling, as Arteta admitted afterwards. “I was praying,” he said with a smile after his men held on, passing another test of character that was in contrast to their capitulation this time last year.