Written by Arsenal fan Will Jones.

Arsenal handed their north London rivals an embarrassing three nil defeat in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. Two goals from Robin Van Persie and one from Cesc Fabregas ensured that Arsenal are unbeaten at home and in their last seven league games.

Tension surrounded this derby game from both sides. On the Arsenal side there is pressure for Wenger and the squad to win some silverware this season which he promised to do so at the Emirates on his 60^th birthday. Tottenham however have enjoyed a period of relative success under Redknapp and as they push for a champions league spot this game could prove decisive.

Tottenham were without three key players, Jermaine Defoe, Jonathan Woodgate and Aaron Lennon. Peter Crouch who has always played well against Arsenal in the past replaced Defoe. Sebastien Bassong continued in defence for Woodgate and Lennon was replaced by a returning David Bentley. The only Arsenal change after the two all draw at Upton Park was Nicklas Bendtner for Emmanuel Eboue.

Typically for a London derby the game began fructuously. Bentley did himself no favours with the Arsenal faithful as he escaped an early booking after a strong tackle on Vermaelen. The home side settled into the game a lot quicker and this resulted in giving Fabregas the best chance of the game. Tottenham were on the fringes of an attack when Gael Clichy made an interception to feed in Arshavin who shot after a long run. The rebound fell to Fabregas, his shot seemed more intent on hitting the target than the back of the net and was well gathered by Hurellio Gomes. Arshavin also had two good opportunities in the first half but his tame shots were easily stopped.

With five minutes left in the first forty five a draw for the first half seemed a reasonably fair outcome, but the next five minutes were to ultimately decide the rest of the game. Bacary Sagna put a cross into the Tottenham six yard box and after van Persie’s diagonal run; he had the edge on Ledley King to apply a smart finish. With the Arsenal fans still celebrating, Tottenham reeling and Arsenal buoyed, Cesc Fabregas dealt a lethal blow to their rivals.

Barely a minute had passed before van Persie’s opener and Arsenal were two goals to the good. Directly from the kick-off van Persie threw himself to deflect one of Tottenham’s opening passes into Fabregas’ path. After striding through two Tottenham challenges he powered into the Tottenham penalty area. It was at this point that the twenty two year old completed his run with a strikers finish. The pandemonium in the stands paid homage to a magnificent individual goal.

Tottenham’s performance was unconvincing and should confirm their identity outside the top four elite. They were clearly lacking the energy of Jermaine Defoe as well as the incisiveness and penetration of Lennon. With Crouch replacing Defoe it meant Tottenham were constricted to the aerial threat, despite some good crosses from Bentley, Crouch could not get enough power on his headers to pose a threat. His strike partner Keane, and later Pavlyuchenko, could not infiltrate Arsenal’s ever impressive backline with the blossoming partnership of Vermaelen and Gallas.

Upon the hour Arsenal delivered a fatal blow. Eduardo, who replaced Bendtner in the first half, was fouled. As Sagna supported to collect the ball Referee Mark Clattenburg played advantage. In almost an exact replica of his assist from the first half he put the ball into the box. This time van Persie was not as well placed but a flailing King presented the Dutchman with a tap in. Eduardo also had time and space to score on two occasions and will be disappointed. Arsenal could have had more but Tottenham were sunk.