'Arsenal survive painful flashbacks to maintain title push'

favourites for a fourth successive title, but there is no doubt this is a team heading in an upward direction under Arteta, irrespective of this season’s outcome.

Declan Rice may have mistimed a challenge on Ben Davies to create the nail-biter by conceding a penalty but otherwise he was imperious, showing exactly what he has brought to this side. The £105m paid to West Ham is not even a point of discussion any more, apart from fans serenading him with the chant: “Declan Rice We Got Him Half Price”.

Not quite but there is no doubt Arteta bought a player of the highest quality and influence when they shelled out that vast amount.

So on we go into the final stages of the season. Arsenal and Manchester City will fight it out with Liverpool fading.

Plenty of drama in this north London derby. And plenty more drama to come as the Premier League season reaches its climax.