Report: Arteta blown away by 22-year-old Spurs star who made him puff his cheeks tonight

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Harry Kane and Son Heung-min destroyed Arsenal tonight as Tottenham Hotspur improved their chances of Champions League qualification.

But it was another Tottenham player who impressed Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.

Kane scored a first-half brace before Son added a third in the 3-0 demolition of Arteta’s troops in this North London derby.

But a nutmeg by Dejan Kulusevski on Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka seemed to impress the Spanish coach who, according to The Mirror, puffed his cheeks out upon witnessing the skill.

Lifeline

Qualifying for the Champions League is still in the Gunners’ hands.

There’s two Premier League games to go and Arteta’s troops are fourth, one point clear of the Lilywhites.

But there’s no doubt that Arsenal need a major recovery in order to beat Newcastle United at St James’s Park next Monday.

With Tottenham facing Burnley at home on the Sunday, it’s very possible that the Emirates Stadium side will need to win in the North East in order to recapture fourth place ahead of the final game of the season on Sunday week.

Antonio Conte’s players threw the Londoners an enormous lifeline tonight and that could, in theory, be the tipping point in this thrilling race for Champions League qualification.