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Arsenal resurgent in pulsating north London derby, preserve unbeaten run

ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP / Getty

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 19 games thanks to a dramatic 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling north London derby at the Emirates.

Tottenham led 2-1 at the break thanks to Eric Dier's header and Harry Kane's penalty, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang curled in a superb second of the game just before the hour mark to level the contest.

The Gunners exploited poor Spurs defending to flip the game on its head, with Alexandre Lacazette's deflected strike creeping in before Lucas Torreira smashed home his first goal for the club to seal the win and spark pandemonium among the home supporters.

The big news before the game was Mesut Ozil's absence from the Arsenal squad, as the midfielder suffered back spasms in training, according to the club. Ultimately, the German simply wasn't needed.

Aubameyang broke the deadlock after 10 minutes when Jan Vertonghen, making his first Premier League appearance since September, handled a cross in the box. The Gabon forward then swept home from the spot.

Arsenal should have been further ahead, though, and paid for their profligacy as the visitors turned the game around. First, Dier's glanced header was allowed to cross the line by some suspect goalkeeping from Bernd Leno. Dier's celebrations sparked a melee on the touchline between players and staff of both clubs.

Four minutes later, Spurs completed the turnaround as Heung-Min Son was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and Kane drilled home from the penalty spot.

Unai Emery made two changes at halftime and was rewarded just before the hour mark when replacement Aaron Ramsey laid the ball off for Aubameyang to curl home a magnificent first-time strike from the edge of the box to equalize.

The pair of substitutes combined to restore Arsenal's lead, with Lacazette firing home off Dier after being played through by Ramsey. Three minutes later, fan favorite Torreira lifted the roof off when he drilled home to open a two-goal advantage for the first time in the hectic encounter.

The bad tempers continued as Vertonghen's miserable return was completed when he was sent off for a second yellow card for a dangerous lunge with five minutes remaining.

Arsenal saw out the win in relative comfort to ensure they remain undefeated in all competitions since Aug. 18. For Spurs, it was their first defeat since Oct. 29's reverse against Manchester City, and a bitter pill to swallow.

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