Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham: Why derby victory should be a title catalyst for Arteta & Co.

The Gunners needed to respond when they were in trouble after Son’s shock blow, and the biggest response came from 18-year-old Miles Lewis-Skelly, who produced a superb performance that was entirely worthy of the standing ovation that he then received. Found when he was dropped from three. Minutes from time.

Lewis-Skelley capitalized on his youth to emerge as a major driving force and inspiration, completing 30 out of 32 passes, taking responsibility when Arsenal needed him most, with his manager describing his performance as “amazing”. .

“He was amazing. He’s a real personality. He’s got so much confidence in himself. He’s got that attitude about him,” Arteta said. “He’s got the chance to play against Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski. It’s not easy but He was at the top.”

And Rice added: “The young lad was incredible. The way he’s playing at just 18 years old is absolutely ridiculous. No fear. Four or five times in the second half, he tried to get away from somebody. Used the body.”

If Arteta was looking for signs that he has the talent to ensure Arsenal can go deep in the trophy hunt this season, Lewis-Skelley, one of his rising young stars, provided them.

“The attitude with which we played, not feeling sorry for ourselves, was unprecedented. We played 120 minutes three days ago,” Arteta told BBC Sport.

“We had some big chances and big situations. In the end, we suffered more than we wanted to. When you have opportunities, you have to take them. We have been performing really well consistently in the Premier League.”

“It’s about recovery now, then Aston Villa on Saturday, go and go.”

And he added: “We know how important this game was and is. This is a gift with which we can make the supporters happy.”

Now he needs to deliver an even bigger gift in the form of a clinical finisher to ensure this win is not a false dawn in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge.