Arsenal's derby win a major step in title race with Man City

"The victory was all about Arsenal answering questions, posed internally and externally, about their ability to hold their nerve in the title race. In the most testing of circumstances, away to their bitter rivals in their new coach's first game in charge, and less than 24 hours after Manchester City had won again to move within two points of top spot, Arsenal stood up and performed, and won, like champions."

"Last Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, when they surrendered a 2-0 lead against the Premier League's bottom team, could have become the defining result of Arsenal's season. The result placed Arteta and his players at a fork in the road; they simply had to respond in a positive manner after that setback because the two points dropped at Molineux completely changed the dynamic of the title race."

Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 in the North London derby, a result that answered doubts about the team's ability to cope with title pressure. The opponents were winless domestically in 2026 and battling relegation, but Arsenal needed a performance that showed composure in the title race. The win came away to a bitter rival in the rival coach's first game and within 24 hours of Manchester City reducing the gap to two points. A prior 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton, when Arsenal surrendered a 2-0 lead, had risked derailing the campaign. City can still win all remaining games, including a potential Etihad decider on April 18, meaning any Arsenal slip would harm momentum.

Read at ESPN.com