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Arsenal secured a 2-1 win at Huddersfield Town, which could be deemed the "Herbert Chapman Derby". Herbert Chapman was a legendary manager of the 20th century, who notably attained major success at both the football clubs.
He died in 1934, but won the league three times in a row with Huddersfield Town and kick-started Arsenal as a major club and force in English football. Many of the club's traditions, culture and distinctions started under him, which future managers and players have all continued.
The corresponding fixture last season was Arsene Wenger's last game as Arsenal manager, in which the Gunners triumphed 1-0.
Huddersfield Town were at the bottom of the League pre-match, whilst Arsenal needed the win since Manchester United beat Fulham 3-0 earlier in the day.
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This game, however, wasn't a classic. The first half saw Arsenal go 2-0 up, with goals from Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette.
The Nigerian international had a reasonably good game throughout, but he had a chance at the beginning which could have been squared to Lacazette or Mkhitaryan for them to score.
Mkhitaryan also had a chance to score, which the Huddersfield keeper saved low down. However, Arsenal opened the scoring via a run from Sead Kolasinac on the left. Iwobi caught it on a volley and it took a deflection before going in.
Huddersfield grew into the game around the 25-minute mark, but couldn't convert their possession into chances.
Lacazette scored just before half-time, following good work by Maitland-Niles on the right.
The second half saw Huddersfield grow into the game more, and Depoitre had arguably their best chance of the match. He hit a shot from the right, which narrowly missed the post.
Huddersfield did get a goal back - and this was in large part from Arsenal's weak defence. Overall, prior to this, they looked strong, but the goal was an odd one to concede at the time.
Huddersfield were good on the eye - but they lacked the quality to truly trouble Arsenal. Arsenal, on the other hand, had more clear-cut chances and were never in full gear. They were comfortable overall, and the three points mattered ultimately.
#3 Huddersfield had possession - but didn't do much with it
Huddersfield Town - or The Terriers to cite their nickname - looked very bright on the eye in this game.
They dominated possession for the most part, but they seldom had the cutting edge to progress and get the better of Leno in the Arsenal goal.
Despite their negative position in the table, they looked to take the game to Arsenal. It was a strike from Depoitre that represented their best chance to score here.
But overall, they couldn't seriously trouble Arsenal with their attacking efforts.
It looks like they will be in the Championship next season, but they could return in the future to the Premier League, and they would be welcome given the manner and style of football they have played.
The Terriers can take time to regroup, and make a strong push for the Premier League next season. They have done Yorkshire proud in their two seasons of PL football.
#2 Clinical without Aubameyang
Leading striker, and Premier League Golden Boot contender, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, was missing from this game due to an illness. It was the first time in a while that he had not featured for Arsenal in a league match, and it was intriguing to see how Alexandre Lacazette would prosper up top by himself and without his prolific strike partner.
Lacazette certainly passed this test with flying colours, as he netted Arsenal's winning goal. He also demonstrated his trademark pace, power, and dribbling, and was supported well in the final third by Mkhitaryan and Iwobi.
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has played both Aubameyang and Lacazette to maximise the team's attacking potential, but it's clear that despite Huddersfield not being the strongest of opponents, Arsenal was able to handle being without Aubameyang capably.
Mkhitaryan and Iwobi did look sharp in the opening phases, largely since they were able to find pockets and spaces between the Huddersfield defence and midfield. Moreover, Iwobi's game is principally built on dribbling and running at defenders, and clearly, Huddersfield couldn't handle this.
Iwobi was arguably the better of the two, and many of Arsenal's chances in both halves were down to his incisiveness. However, he didn't really capitalise on chances gained in the second half.
He was through on goal at one point, but then he didn't trouble the Huddersfield keeper as his finish wasn't clinical enough. With criticism and even abuse from some quarters in recent times, he showed his potential in this game and could be a major figure if he enhances his final ball and shooting.
It was essentially this attacking display that won Arsenal the match and had Aubameyang started, the win may possibly have featured more goals. Even still, Arsenal in contrast to Huddersfield showed the clinical edge when required to secure the win and get the three points.
#1 Top four is on for Arsenal
With Manchester United's win against Fulham, and Chelsea to face Manchester City on Sunday, it was critical that Arsenal won the game, and they did.
In some parts, it was a stuttering performance, though Arsenal did create many chances, apart from the two goals they scored.
But relative to the other two top-four challengers, Arsenal is looking capable. They face Southampton and Bournemouth in succession, and whilst these games won't be easy, they should be games that the Gunners win.
Moreover, in the run-in towards the end of the season, Arsenal only have Manchester United and the North London Derby with Spurs to play, concerning the other top six sides. Both Chelsea and Manchester United have games with Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham among them, and given their push for the title and top four, they could all be tricky.
The points are the critical matter here, even though this latest performance wasn't stellar. It was a professional performance and three more points towards a potential return to the Champions League.
