The race for Europe reached boiling point on 12 April when Arsenal travelled to Tottenham and emerged 2 to 0 winners, clinching Champions League qualification with three league matches to spare. The victory also ensured St Totteringham’s Day celebrations rolled past midnight in pubs from Holloway Road to Highbury Fields. Arsenal began on the front foot, and their reward arrived on 28 minutes when Bukayo Saka ghosted behind Destiny Udogie to convert a low cross from Kai Havertz. Spurs rallied but found goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in inspired form, the England man producing reflex stops to thwart Pedro Porro and James Maddison. Early in the second half Spurs centre back Micky van de Ven underhit a back pass, allowing Leandro Trossard to round Guglielmo Vicario and double the advantage. The closing stages grew tetchy. Nine yellow cards were shown and a flare thrown from the South Stand forced a brief pause while stewards cleared smoke from the pitch. Arsenal’s back line, marshalled by William Saliba, held firm through eight minutes of stoppage time to record their fourth consecutive clean sheet in Premier League derbies. Arteta hailed composure under pressure, saying “You come here, you need to suffer, then you must hurt.” The win lifted Arsenal to 73 points, guaranteeing a top four finish because fifth placed Chelsea could no longer catch them. More importantly, the fixture served as a psychological tonic following earlier defeats to West Ham and Manchester City. The travelling support serenaded the players long after full time, finishing with a raucous Champions League chant. Few nights taste sweeter for Gunners fans than one that secures elite European football on rival turf.
