Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s 4-1 demolition of north London rivals Tottenham was a cathartic release for his Premier League leaders after 72 hours in hell.
Arteta’s side restored their five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City thanks to doubles from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was a much-needed boost for the Gunners after they blew a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at bottom of the table Wolves on Wednesday that took the destiny of the title out of their hands.
Arsenal had been left devastated by their second successive draw and Arteta admitted it was hard to lift his players in the aftermath of a result that means City will take the title if they win their last 11 games.
But Arteta and his coaching staff gradually revived Arsenal’s flagging spirits, firing them up so effectively that they tore Tottenham to shreds for the second time this season.
After routing their bitter rivals 4-1 in November, they made the short trip up the Seven Sisters Road to inflict another humiliating defeat that pushed Tottenham deeper into the relegation mire.
“I cannot be prouder and happier from what I saw out there, especially how we lived the last 72 hours,” Arteta said.
“I watched it back and there is no explanation for how the hell we drew that game against Wolves. You have to lift yourself up because you are feeling angry, ashamed, upset.
