This was a big win for The Gunners. Keeping their title hopes alive and all but making them a shoe-in for fourth place at least.

It was an unconvincing performance, saved only by the virtue of a Tottenham team that lacked any creativity and attacking prowess that came to sum up much of the game. Arsenal will see it as a challenge overcome as the month progresses and the title race hots up.

Ultimately the Arsenal boys came away with victory over their north London rivals, making it a hat-trick for the season, despite lacking the coherency that we gleaned from the previous two there is no doubt it will be positive for the psyche, a must win looking ahead to the remainder of March that promises to be a challenge.

The unconvincing counter

As the game got underway it looked as if we were in for another exciting afternoon at White Hart Lane and the Gunners instantly looked to grab the match by the scruff of the neck. Yet apart from a second minute thunderbolt from Rosicky, Arsenals forward movement lacked accuracy and direction in a counter-attacking game plan that we can’t claim to be accomplished.

Despite the victory I couldn’t help but feel constantly frustrated by Arsenals inability to properly clear their lines and keep possession throughout the game, allowing Spurs to have much of the ball. On the few occasions that our counter attacks got through the high-line of the Tottenham defence we were wasteful, with Oxlade and Podolski having the best of the chances.

It was no surprise that our two most direct players in Chamberlain and Rosicky had an instant impact on the game, capped off with a strike of beauty from the Czech dynamo. The only surprise was the manner in which we started the game, quick out of the blocks that has far from been a prevalent feature of our season as our often lethargic starts have no doubt cost us points on occasion.

It no doubt sent a positive message to everybody that the Ox would start in the centre of the park after an impressive display against Bayern mid-week. However after the early exchanges and the Arsenal goal he struggled to influence the game in the manner he did against the German champions. As Arsenal sat deep, The Ox impact on the game was limited and his wayward shooting summed up much of his afternoon.

Rival Weakness

If ever there was a definition of club the was trapped in the infamous ‘spiral of negativity’ then Tottenham are currently a club that fits that description well. Despite applying much of the pressure throughout the game Adebayor and co. looked almost clueless when in front of goal. On another day against team with more belief this could have spelt trouble for Wengers men.

That being said, despite a few hairy moments Koscielny and Mertesacker did a huge job in keeping Spurs at bay, and can perhaps they can been seen as a shining light in an otherwise unconvincing performance. They dealt well with much of Tottenham’s direct football, not being caught out by the many long searching balls meant for Adebayor.

Despite Tim Sherwoods declaration that "We've outplayed Arsenal today. The result for Arsenal papers over a lot of cracks.” It is really his Spurs side that have a lot to answer for in their inability to penetrate despite pressuring for much of the game. It is his Spurs side that have more or less lost the much revered race for fourth and he who will probably not be Tottenham manager at the end of the season.

Race for the title

In terms of our title race it keeps us in it and that’s all we can ask for, we will however have to pick up the level of performances over the next few testing weeks.

The victory today has by all means put the bid for the title in our own hands. Our performances will not have many believing that we can do it. It pains me to say but the performances of Liverpool have most fans purring and The Gunners have yet to convince people they can play with that pace and conviction on a regular basis.

It is always an important victory against our North London rivals and our defensive resilience is something we can take from the game, but more is required to if we really believe we can push to be champions.

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