An Arsenal player replicated one Patrick Vieira achievement as the Gunners beat Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday. 

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira will have been watching on as his former club battled to a 3-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. 

This was a must-win game for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s side cannot afford to drop any more points this season if they are to stand any chance of being crowned Premier League champions come the end of the campaign.  

The North London outfit last won the league twenty title years ago, in 2004. On that occasion, the Gunners confirmed themselves as champions with a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. 

Kai Havertz matches Patrick Vieira feat as Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur

Vieira and many other Arsenal legends have recently reflected upon that North London Derby triumph. On that day in 2004, the French midfielder, who was Arsenal captain at the time, scored and registered an assist in the first half to set his side on their way to the result they needed. 

Kai Havertz replicated this feat on Sunday. The German forward set up Bukayo Saka’s goal with an inch-perfect long range pass, before getting on the scoresheet himself before the break as he headed home from a Declan Rice corner. 

As reported by statistician Tom Ede on X, Havertz became the first Arsenal player since Vieira in 2004 to score and assist in the first half of a North London derby away from home.

Kai Havertz firing Arsenal to Premier League title chance

Havertz impressed plenty of Arsenal fans with his performance against Spurs. He has established himself as the Gunners’ first-choice striker in recent months and has shone on a regular basis. 

The 24-year-old has now scored 13 goals this season, and brings so much to Arteta’s team with his aerial ability, willingness to press, and physicality. Havertz has previously been labelled a big game player, and when Arsenal really needed him to deliver against their bitter rivals with their place in the title race on the line, he stepped up.

Of course, the destiny of the Premier League title is not in Arsenal’s hand. They are reliant upon Manchester City dropping points. Right now, though, the Gunners are doing all they can and Havertz is playing a big part in that.

If they win their final three matches, then at the very least they will take this race down to the wire.