- Son Heung-min gave the visitors a surprise lead in the 20th minute at the Emirates
- But the Gunners responded with two goals in four minutes before the break.
- Hear It's all starting! Why Manchester United might have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
Declan Rice believes Arsenal should have given Tottenham a historic beating, given the number of chances they created against their north London rivals.
Mikel Arteta's team had to settle for a 2-1 victory that left them four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. But, on an often nervous night at the Emirates, the result could have been assured long before Simon Hooper's final whistle.
The Gunners converted four big chances and scored 14 shots against Ange Postecoglou's team, but only forced derby debutant Antonin Kinksy into making just one save.
Rice revealed the feeling among the Arsenal players after the match, which could prove a catalyst for them to clinch the title in the second half of the campaign.
“Tonight meant more than anything,” he told TNT Sports. 'From the first minute, the first 45 were pure dominance, you could tell it was a derby.
“We were unlucky not to score 10, that's the feeling.” We don't need a message, playing Spurs, if you can't get up for that chicken, you shouldn't play football. We could have had another five or six and that's a bit disappointing.'
Declan Rice believes Arsenal should have scored many more goals than the two they managed against Tottenham
The Gunners came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over their north London rivals at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's team moved closer to within three points of the Premier League leader, Liverpool, after the result
In fairness to the Gunners, several of their missed chances came down to some excellent last-ditch defending from a depleted Spurs backline. However, doubts remain about the team's strength in attack.
Arteta gave Raheem Sterling a rare start on the right flank in place of Gabriel Martinelli, but the on-loan Chelsea man did little to bolster his case for future inclusion.
Arsenal came into the tie shaken by the news that Gabriel Jesus will miss the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester United.
The Brazilian becomes the latest attacker to suffer a long-term problem following injuries to Bukayo Saka and youngster Ethan Nwaneri.
