This was a magnificent show of Arsenal’s title credentials.

When Mikel Arteta’s team played Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without two of their best players, they easily won all three points. This was only four games into the season, and they might not even have to finish above Manchester City to win the title. 

Even though captain Martin Odegaard was hurt and Declan Rice was banned, Arsenal won their third straight game at the home of their biggest rivals thanks to a header from Gabriel Magalhaes in the second half. 

As with the same game last year, Arsenal’s set-piece skills and Tottenham’s lack of them were the deciding factors.   

In April, Arsenal took a three-goal lead thanks to two goals from set pieces. This time, it was just one corner that made the difference. 

Tottenham was brave and energetic, and they had most of the ball and shots, but a calmer, more organized team beat them in the end. 

The big Aussie will soon be under a lot of scrutiny if he can’t turn around the fact that Ange Postceglou’s team has lost their last seven games against top-half teams.  

But winners City are going to trial on 115 Premier League charges. Arsenal, who have come in second place the last two seasons, know that this could be their best chance to win the league for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s “Invincible” campaign 21 years ago. 

The fact that they beat Aston Villa and Spurs in their first two away games shows how serious they are. 

Postecoglou’s team sheet was risky and adventurous, but it was also in line with his club’s motto, “To dare is to do.” 

There was no way that this Spurs team could have tried to bore Arsenal to death with an attacking front five and roaming wing-backs. 

Not having Rice and Odegaard on the team made Arsenal look different. They also had to wear a black away kit because their usual colors had too much white in them, which was a strange order.

After the game, there was more anger in the tunnel when one Arsenal mascot starting yelling at a group of Tottenham mascots.

Spurs came out strong, as if they had been told over and over again how important the game was. 

They swarmed and pushed Arsenal like they were hungry for meat, and Dejan Kulusevski made David Raya save two good shots in the first seven minutes. 

The first time, Son Heung-Min cut back, but the Arsenal custodian stopped the Swede at the near post.    

Then Kulusevski’s cross got by everyone, making Raya stop in a spreading pose.

Arsenal got off to a rough start with their passing, but they soon got settled. 

Gabriel Martinelli, whose speed was making things difficult down the left, crossed the ball, and Kai Havertz’s downward header forced Guglielmo Vicario to make a great leaping save.  

Soon after, Leandro Trossard set Martinelli free, but the Brazilian’s shot hit Vicario too close. 

Soon, there were a lot of yellow cards because referee Jarred Gillett strictly followed an early-season order to crack down on people slowing free kicks.  

The Aussie had shown seven yellow cards by halftime, with five going to Spurs. This is the clear problem with Postecoglou’s harsh style. 

At times, it felt like one of those big pancake-day games between rival towns, with handbags flying around occasionally.