Sunday 19 November 2017 11:10, UK
Gary Neville says Arsenal's performance during their 2-0 home win over Tottenham was as good as he's seen them play.
Arsene Wenger's side closed to within one point of their north London rivals after a dominant win at The Emirates Stadium.
Spurs finished above Arsenal last season and have made the better start to this campaign but the Gunners controlled Saturday's match with goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez earning the win.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit said: "I didn't think Arsenal would lose before the game being honest because I think after international duty, to go away from home at 12.30pm, is not easy.
"But that's as good as I've seen Arsenal, it really is. I wondered after ten minutes would they be able to keep it up? Is it just a bold start that would fizzle out? But it was a really, really good performance. Overall my assessment of the game today was Arsenal were absolutely fantastic from number one to 11. There wasn't a poor performer."
Arsenal's attacking trio of Mesut Ozil, Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette were in excellent form and Neville believes their performances were crucial in guiding the hosts to the derby win.
Neville said: "Graeme Souness this morning said what Arsenal will turn up probably referring to those three. They turned up.
"From minute one, they pressed onto that Tottenham back three, made them anxious and made them nervous. A very good back three as well by the way. I have to say I thought the intent from that front three, supported well and sustained by Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey, won them the game in terms of setting the tone."
Neville added: "If you think about the teams I played in and you'll have seen it yourself over the years, when the best players in the team are setting the tone and working hard and making challenges the rest of you follow and come with you.
"They are leaders by their price tag, their reputation and their skill. They've not always been leaders by their work ethic and their attitude.
"Maybe that's a bit unkind on Lacazette but the other two have definitely fallen below standards at times in the last 12 to 18 months.
"Today they were fantastic and I couldn't speak highly enough about Sanchez. He's a brilliant player. I thought Lacazette's positions were sensational and caused real problems for Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen in terms of tying them back."
Ozil won the man of the match and Neville believes the German's performance has set the standard he should aspire to live up to each week.
Neville said: "Ozil is fantastic on the ball. A great decision maker but he can become despondent. His body language can set the tone for the rest of the actual players on the pitch and the stadium.
"Today I can think of a Mousa Dembele challenge in the first half. His work rate in getting back was there and why can't we see that every single time?
"Thierry Henry said it in commentary 'they've set a standard'. We've seen what they can do now and those three can win an incredible amount of points for this football club because the rest of those teammates will come with them if they can perform like that."
