Tottenham v Arsenal player ratings: Romero 8, Maddison 5; Raya 5, Saka 9

Gunners survive late scare but hold on to claim 3-2 victory in North London derby to remain top of the Premier League

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  Guglielmo Vicario 6/10

  SPURS RATINGS: White’s presence clearly affected him before Arsenal’s two first-half goals from corners but defenders offered him no protection. Toe-poked Saka shot over bar early in second half that would have made it 4-0. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Pedro Porro 6/10

  Spaniard was part of a poor collective defensive performance with Arsenal finding space and chances to score far too easily in first half, while Spurs’ determination to play out from back is now being telegraphed to opponents. AFPShow less

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  Micky van de Ven 6/10

  Thought he had levelled with composed finish after deflected Porro shot landed at hit feet but had been caught narrowly offside. Had fine season but tough last couple of games with Spurs conceding seven goals. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Cristian Romero 8/10

  Almost finished with a couple of goals. Saw header thud off post a minute before Van de Ven’s disallowed goal. Gifted goal after break by Raya’s catastrophic pass out from back. Hailed as "outstanding" by his manager after game. APShow less

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  Ben Davies 5/10

  In for the injured Destiny Udogie, couldn’t stop Saka cutting inside from right and putting Gunners three ahead in opening 45. Booked for obvious foul on same player in last 10 minutes. Fouled by Rice which led to Son scoring penalty. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 5/10

  Glancing header from Danish midfielder into own net at near post gifted Arsenal early lead. Has started nine matches this season, Spurs have won one of them. AP

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  Rodrigo Bentancur 5/10

  Uruguayan midfielder had little influence on proceedings in disastrous first-half for Spurs and was substituted at break. Reuters

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  Timo Werner 5/10

  German attacker had been bit-part player in game before he limped off pitch after half an hour. Getty Images

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  James Maddison 5/10

  Curled early chance way over bar from edge of box. In-swinging corners caused Arsenal problems in first half. Guilty of hitting deck far too easily at slightest of touches and was passenger for much of match. APShow less

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  Dejan Kulusevski 7/10

  Felt he should have won a penalty after being caught by Trossard in box only for it not to be given and then Arsenal going on to score on counter-attack. Some flashes of brilliant skill. Took booking for team when shoving over Martinelli who was in full flow. ReutersShow less

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  Son Heung-min 6/10

  First chance came just before break when he sent finish high over the bar when goal would have given team much-needed lift. Next opportunity came in 87th minute when he fired confidently home from spot for his 16th goal of season to make it 3-2. ReutersShow less

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  Brennan Johnson 6/10

  SUBS: (On for Werner 31’) Early introduction who came more into game after Spurs’ first goal. Getty Images

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  Pape Sarr 6/10

  (On for Bentancur 46’) Only change made after disastrous first-half and the young Senegalese midfielder had more of an impact than man he replaced, although that is not saying much. Reuters

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  Richarlison 6/10

  (On for Maddison 63’) Certainly made presence felt as he charged around with intent, arguing with every opponent in ear shot, albeit with little impact with ball in front of goal. AP

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  Yves Bissouma 7/10

  (On for Hojbjerg 63’) Many Spurs fans must be wondering why he did not start ahead of man he came on for. Reuters

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  Giovani Lo Celso N/A

  (On for Davies 88’)

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  David Raya 5/10

  ARSENAL RATINGS: Did not have save to make in first half although a Romero header did hit post. Inexplicably chipped pass straight to Romero, which the Argentine scored from to hand Spurs lifeline and would lead to nervy finish. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Ben White 7/10

  Continues to be a pain for keepers for Arsenal corners, why Spurs didn’t try and do something about it here in first half is the bigger question. Helped keep Werner and then Brennan’s threat to minimum. APShow less

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  William Saliba 7/10

  Had looked usual cool and composed self at back until Raya’s howler when Arsenal’s usual water-tight defence away from home started to spring a few leaks. AFP

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  Gabriel 7/10

  Brazilian has been at the heart of Arsenal’s defensive meanness on their travels and was impressive again here. Involved in spats with Kulusevski and Richarlison in usual feisty North London derby. AP

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  Takehiro Tomiyasu 7/10

  Involved in right old battle with Kulusevski from start with Swede keeping him busy throughout. Found himself free in Spurs' box just after break but sent diving header over bar. AP

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  Thomas Partey 7/10

  Has suffered injury-hit campaign but Arsenal look stronger in middle of park with Ghanian in team. Works well alongside Rice and Odegaard and is big presence in front of defence. AFP

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  Declan Rice 8/10

  His simple ball out of box started counter-attack that ended with Saka scoring, while it was England midfielder’s corner that found the head of Havertz who made it 3-0. Foul on Davies handed Spurs late penalty after pitchside VAR check. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Martin Odegaard 7/10

  Didn’t hit the heights of midweek masterclass against Chelsea when Norwegian was majestic but plenty of nice touches and passes while some of his footwork is joy to watch. Reuters

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  Bukayo Saka 9/10

  Excellent corner delivery resulted in Hojbjerg scoring own goal. Superb composure to cut inside Davies before slotting home to make it 2-0. Denied second when foot of Vicario turned his first-time effort over bar. A reliable big-game player now.Show less

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  Kai Havertz 8/10

  Had ball in back of net early on but Odegaard had been caught offside. Pinpoint diagonal ball to Saka’s feet ahead of his teammate scoring. Headed home from corner to put side three up in first half. Has emerged as key player in second half of season. PAShow less

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  Leandro Trossard 7/10

  Has scored some crucial goals of late but was his workrate to help teammates and determination to chase down opposition that stood out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. AP

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  Gabriel Martinelli 6/10

  SUBS: (On for Trossard 63’) Showed flashes of his pace with one surging run having to be illegally stopped by Kulusevski. AFP

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  Jakub Kiwior N/A

  (On for Odegaard 88’) Reuters

Arsenal came out on top in the North London derby, but not until Tottenham Hotspur had given them a late scare in Sunday's Premier League clash.

The Gunners raced into a 3-0 first-half lead after an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, followed by a sweet Bukayo Saka finish and header from in-form German forward Kai Havertz.

But Spurs pulled one back in the second half after Cristian Romero took full advantage of a David Raya mistake before a late Son Heung-min penalty set up a grandstand finish.

Arsenal survived to complete derby double over Tottenham this season that lifted them four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

That lead was reduced to one point when Manchester City won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest later on Sunday and, if they win all of their remaining games, then Pep Guardiola's side, who have a game in hand, will clinch a fourth title in a row.

But having led the way for so long last term before eventually being caught and passed by a City side on their way to winning a historic treble last year, Mikel Arteta feels Arsenal have learnt from the experience.

“I think so,” the Spaniard replied when asked if Arsenal are better equipped this time around to go the distance.

“When you win it’s always the case. Last season we didn’t because we went to West Ham and we missed a penalty and against Liverpool we conceded in the 91st minute and then you’re not capable.

“At the end the judgment is going to be based on that outcome. If they got the goal in the last minute to make it 3-3 then we say ‘wouldn’t have been ready’.

“The margins are so small. Don’t get carried away with yourself. We want to be better. There are margins for improvement. Go again against Bournemouth [next week] because it’s going to be really tough.”

For Tottenham, the defeat summed up their season. They dominated at times and played some good football but were picked off all too easily by a clinical Arsenal side.

“It's disappointing,” said manager Ange Postecoglou. “The outcome was disappointing. We wanted to win today for our supporters and for the club. We didn't do that and whatever I think about the performance it's still the outcome that sits on you.”

The Australian singled out defender Romero for special praise. “He was outstanding. He's a World Cup winner and I've just got to get some of what's in him into some of the others,” said Postecoglou of the Argentine.

Spurs remain in fifth place in the Premier League, seven points behind Aston Villa with two games in hand with their next match away to Chelsea on Thursday.

You can see the player ratings from Sunday's game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the gallery above. To move on to the next slide, slick on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.