There was a moment in the second half against Spurs when Arsène Wenger was raging with frustration at his players, despite their being 3-0 up. He saw the signs of the same sloppiness creeping in that has already cost points this season. And in a league where Chelsea are currently looking as if they are not going to drop too many points, the last thing Arsenal need was to get caught cold by a casual approach as has been witnessed a few times too many over the past year or so.

But this time, there was to be no miraculous recovery from Tottenham, no cause for a celebratory DVD recalling the winning of a Premier League point. Those Spurs fans that exited before injury time in serious number missed nothing. In fact, Arsenal should have won by many more goals given the number of excellent chances created, but no-one is going to complain about a 3-0 win in this fixture.

The Gunners bossed the game, and any result but a home win would have been a travesty. There is an argument for the man of the match award to go to one of several players, with Fabregas, Vermaelen and Van Persie all contenders, amongst others.

This is how the club can win the league, by putting poorer sides to bed, week in week out, home or away, and not allowing beaten teams the luxury of an opportunity to even sniff a point. They can win the league if the lesson of Upton Park can be learned. I’d hazard a guess that, going by the manager’s touchline theatrics – throwing his jacket at his seat in frustration at one point – he himself is far from convinced. The crowd probably didn’t help with the ‘olé’ chants - a little prematurely given recent history - but it should be above the players to shut that out and concentrate on good habits.

Robin van Persie is starting to look like he could be the 20 league goals a season man that a team with serious title pretentions requires. His two goals were both the stuff of a quality poacher. Of course an international break is only a fortnight away and fans must keep their fingers crossed that the Dutchman, as well as a number of his colleagues, returns fit from international duty.

Arsenal’s game from wide is definitely improving and is a vital asset, hence the large number of goals scored so far in this campaign. The ball played in at an angle that has defenders facing their own goal is always going to be more of a danger than the tip-toe through the middle technique normally favoured. Sagna set up both the number 11’s goals and was another MOTM contender. If Clichy could develop this side of his game, it would double the threat and pay dividends.

Tottenham’s own pretentions of the kind of final position that has not been seen at the Lane since long before the turn of the millennium were exposed as fantasy, combined with last weekend’s home defeat by Stoke. Yes, there may be a new side in the top four come May, but it is likely to be the one with the huge cash injection from the Middle East, and the Carling Cup quarter final will be quite a game, with what is likely to be a full-strength City line-up, given their lack of European distractions. Arsenal’s best hope is the unpredictability of the players that City’s will not be very familiar with, the element of surprise.

However, Arsenal’s ambitions are loftier. Continue picking up the points they should be expected to and they can mark down West Ham away as an aberration. Every point is precious. The team have the quality going forward, there is no doubt about that. In defence, they performed much more creditably than last weekend with the return of Manuel Almunia a decision justified by the clean sheet. Vito Mannone has probably blown his chance now, but at least the man with the number one shirt can no longer feel safe in his position, which is how every first teamer should feel in an ideal world.

The way they play, there is no chance of Arsenal winning the title thanks to the solidity of their defensive play. But as long as the aim of the game is to score more goals than the opposition, there can be serious grounds for optimism. Tottenham are pretenders that can get ideas above their station by getting the occasional point from this derby. Not this season. As reality checks go, this one was pure pleasure. Now for the team to repeat this kind of performance on a consistent basis, without the mad ten minutes that has the manager throwing his clothes around in anger. At least here is one man who does not feel complacent. If those on the field can follow suit, it could be a season to savour.

Kevin Whitcher is the co-author of ‘Arsènal: the Making of a Modern Superclub’. The book can be bought by onlinegooner readers in paperback direct from the publishers with a £1 discount offer on the already discounted price. To take advantage of this offer, Click this link, select ‘buy now’, and on the next page you will have the opportunity to enter a promo code. Enter the word ‘gooner’ here and the amount is recalculated to £4.99. So, a £1 saving. Postage and packing (£2.49 in the UK) will be added before you complete your order.