‘Another Level’: Arsenal Dreaming Big After Toppling Tottenham

Arsenal are dreaming big after beating North London rivals Tottenham 3-1 on Saturday to move four points clear at the top of the English Premier League.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said the result could be a springboard that takes the club to “another level” after finishing outside the top four for the past six seasons.

“Absolutely, I think it started in that dressing room when you get the right people and the right players and they start to connect with each other,” Arteta told reporters.

“It takes it to another level with all the members of staff that are a huge part of the team and it doesnt matter at what level, it can be at the highest level.

“When they start to connect, you can then deliver that to the pitch and start to transmit certain things on the pitch and then when you connect the way we have done with our fans and it becomes something really powerful. I think this is the biggest success that this group of players are having.”

Thomas Partey opened the scoring with a fine strike before Harry Kane leveled from the spot in the 31st minute.

But Arsenal restored their lead in the 49th minute from Gabriel Jesus, with Granit Xhaka adding a third after Emerson Royal was sent off for a poorly timed tackle.

The result is Arsenal’s seventh win of the Premier League season but arguably their biggest scalp yet, inflicting Spurs’ first loss.

“One hundred percent needed, because when you play such a big game, you want to win, and those opinions are correct because when you look at the stats and if you just put it in that context, you can do it,” Arteta said. “Its how you give and receive information, it does affect you.”

Meanwhile, Spurs boss Antonio Conte lamented a “difficult day” and said the red card “killed” the game for his side.

“If I have to complain about something, its the first half,” Conte said. “I think we had many chances and we made mistakes in the last passes, big mistakes. We must be disappointed for this reason.”