London - Arsenal moved into second place in the English Premier League after defeating Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Two goals from Robin Van Persie and one for Cesc Fabregas gave the home side a comfortable victory over their close rivals and lifts them above Manchester United on goal difference, two points behind leaders Chelsea.
For most of the first half, Spurs appeared to have nullified the threat posed by Arsenal but it was their own poor defending and lack of concentration that cost them dear in two calamitous minutes at the end of the first half.
The visitors failed to defend a throw in from the right edge of the penalty area and allowed Bakari Sagna to cross for van Persie to bundle the ball bast Heurelho Gomes for the opening goal.
Worse was to come from the ensuing kick-off as Spurs gave the ball straight back to their opponents and Arsenal captain Fabregas was allowed to jink his way past some rash challenges before finishing well.
Spurs' attempts to get back into the match in the second half proved ineffective, and the home side took advantage of more poor defending to stretch their lead on the hour mark.
With the Spurs defence expecting to concede a free kick after a foul on Eduardo, referee Mark Clattenberg waved play on and Sagna was allowed time to cross the ball for van Persie to grab his second goal of the game from close range.
