Arsenal clear dream of claiming an Europa League qualifying spot became blurred on Sunday after their London derby defeat at Tottenham Stadium.
Tobby Alderweireld scored a late winner to give Spurs a narrow 2-1 victory against the Gunners with Jose Mourinho also edging his former academy player and current Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta to record his first London derby win.
The result switched the London clubs position as Tottenham moved a step up to eighth placed on 52 points from 35 games and Arsenal taking the reverse step to ninth placed with 50 points after playing the same number of games.
After Sheffield handed a shocking 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday and Wolves seeing off Everton in the same manner on early hours of Sunday to fuel the heat of Europa League qualification race.
Arsenal knew the only option that would keep them at bay especially after playing a draw to Leicester in midweek is to secure a victory. Unfortunately, they failed to keep up their heads up as the season closure approaches.
Alexander Lacazette put the Gunners in front 16 minutes into first half with a 20-yard cracker which went past Hugo Lloris in a flash before Son Heung-min restored parity for Spurs three minutes later to keep the derby in contest.
The goal scorers may have undoubtedly made the score sheet in other to help their team win but they consequently set records with their goals.
Alexandre Lacazette became the first Arsenal player to score home and away against Tottenham in a single league season since Per Mertesacker in 2012/13 while Son Heung-min registered his first goal against Arsenal in the Premier League.
With less than ten minutes of normal time, It looked like the two teams will share the spoils but Toby Alderweireld snatched all three points for Mourinho’s men with his 81st minute header after he directed Son Heung-min corner into Emiliano Martinez near post.
Arsenal will host champions Liverpool on Wednesday July 15 in a potential Premier League match before hosting Manchester City on Saturday July 18 in FA Cup semifinal match at the Emirate.
