The Gunners enjoyed a dream first half , with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg heading into his own net on 15 minutes to give them the lead.

Bukayo Saka doubled his sides lead on 27 minutes, after controlling Kai Havertz's beautifully weighted pass and finishing past Guglielmo Vicario.

Kai Havertz grabbed a third with 38 minutes on the clock, with a thumping header following Declan Rice's corner.

It was a composed start to the second half until David Raya's attempted pass was cut out by Cristian Romero, who finished superbly to give Spurs a lifeline.

Arsenal managed to initially limit Spurs to few opportunities after conceding.

However, Rice conceded a late penalty, which was clinically dispatched by Son Heung-Min, setting up a grand stand finish.

Arsenal managed to hold onto a vital three points in the title race and put the pressure back on Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta was understandably somewhat relieved that his side were able to get over the line.

He said: "I was praying. It was a really emotional game. A great team to play against.

"3-0 up you’re in control and then an individual error happen that clicks something.

"We started to deal with the situation better, but they have the players to put a lot of courage forward."

The Spaniard saw his side's resilience tested in a nervy finish to the game, with Spurs pushing for a dramatic equaliser.

He was asked as to whether the win could be more beneficial psychologically compared to a comfortable one.

Arteta said: "I don’t know. We’re going to make it that the second option is a great one.

"Last year as well, we had to suffer in the second half to win the game.

"The team has another tool to grab which is the confidence that in the big games you have the ability to win it."

Havertz was on fine form again, scoring Arsenal's third and grabbing an assist for Saka's second, which his tally to 12 goals and six assists in the Premier League this season.

When asked how impressed he was with the German's performance, Arteta was full of praise.

"He was sensational in every department today," he said.

"He was ill before the match and still he put the performance that he put in. I thought he was unbelievable today."

After the 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa, sandwiched in between being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich, many expected Arsenal to capitulate as they did in last seasons title run-in

However, Arsenal have won three matches on the bounce since, keeping their title challenge alive.

Arteta was asked about Arsenal's improved ability to bounce back from adversity.

He said: "First of all how much do you want it? How much do they want it?

"At this level the margins are so small and they’re not always going to go for you. Then it’s about courage."

Last season saw the majority of Arsenal's young side have their first taste of a title challenge, with their inexperience eventually showing.

That experience has given Arteta's side an idea of what it takes to compete with Manchester City, something that he believes his side are better equipped for this time around.

Arteta said: "I think so. When you win it’s always the case.

"Last season we didn’t against West Ham, we didn’t score a penalty and we conceded in the 91st minute and we didn’t have it because we didn’t win.

"The margins are so small. Don’t get carried away with yourself."

Arsenal have a six day break until their next game, which is at home to AFC Bournemouth.

It is a match that could see the much anticipated return of Jurrien Timber to the Arsenal squad, with the 22-year-old again featuring for the Under-21 side on Sunday afternoon.