Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge suffered another blow in a 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Sunday, as Tottenham beat Bournemouth 3-1 to close in on their north London rivals.
The Gunners’ high hopes of a first league title in 20 years have been rocked by two damaging defeats in four days.
Mikel Arteta was looking for a response after losing 2-0 at home to West Ham on Thursday but was left angered by what he described as his side’s “worst performance of the season”.
Arsenal remain in fourth, two points behind leaders Liverpool and level on 40 points with Manchester City, but having played a game more than both their title rivals.
Fifth-placed Spurs are just three points off the top with the table tantalisingly poised heading into 2024.
Son Heung-min is also set to depart for a few weeks to lead South Korea at the Asian Cup.
The Spurs captain signed off in style with a thumping finish from a narrow angle before Richarlison made it 3-0.
Alex Scott pulled a goal back six minutes from time, but it was too little, too late for the Cherries, who remain in 12th.
