Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it was a “beautiful moment” when Eddie Nketiah grabbed a spectacular late winner against Manchester United.
The game appeared to be heading for a 2-2 draw after Lisandro Martinez equalized for Erik ten Hag’s side.
But Nketiah – who also scored in the first half – netted in the 90th minute to keep the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
“I really enjoyed it,” Arteta told BBC Sport.
With the pressure on Arsenal continued Manchester City win 3-0 on Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier on Sunday, Nketiah’s winning goal from close range was met with delightful scenes inside the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta added: “It was a beautiful moment at the end and we go there with our people behind us. It was beautiful.”
However, they had to wait for confirmation that they had secured all three points, after a video check by the assistant referee to determine if Nketiah was in the game.
Arteta even admitted he wasn’t sure the crucial goal would be given.
“[The officials] We were watching something we hadn’t seen and we were very relieved,” the Spanish boss said. “We were able to celebrate twice.
Marcus Rashford put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute with a sensational strike before Nketiah leveled the home side soon after.
Bukayo Saka then put Arsenal ahead early in the second half, and although it looked like the points would be split after Martinez’s header, Arteta was confident his side had the mentality to succeed.
“They surprise me with how they react,” he said. “We encourage them to play football smoothly and there is energy in the team and good things are happening.
“Doing it many times against big teams, the way we played today, gives me a lot of positivity for the future.
“It’s so tight now in the league, there are such small margins. Winning, losing or drawing, you have to be aware of that.
“If we can capitalize on the energy, it will be positive.”
As well as a five-point lead, Arsenal are one game short against Pep Guardiola’s City and have reached 50 points after playing 19 appearances this season – their best start to the top-flight campaign.
The two sides will next face off in the FA Cup, when they meet in the fourth round on Friday.
“We made mistakes” – Ten Hag
Manchester United came to North London on the back of a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, a result that denied them their 10th consecutive victory.
Rashford’s opener – his ninth goal in all competitions since the World Cup – was the dream start Ten Hag would have hoped for, but the United boss was disappointed with his side’s lack of focus.
“All the goals we conceded today are mistakes – it can’t happen,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
“Even last week we were so hard to beat in such situations. Today we weren’t. The three goals we could have avoided.”
Ten Hag was without influential midfielder Casemiro for the game with Arsenal after the Brazilian served a one-game ban for picking up a fifth yellow card in midweek.
While he admitted the Gunners are “good on the ball”, Ten Hag said his side were a “good defensive team” and should have done better against the league leaders.
“There weren’t many open chances,” he added. “We made mistakes that we can’t make. This game was decided by small details but also by decision making.
“It’s hard to accept and we have to learn from it. I want to win. It’s not enough. We want to be number one, but not if we make mistakes. It’s clear and what I give them said.”
United are in fourth place, level on 39 points with third-placed Newcastle, and will face Nottingham Forest away in the Carabao Cup first leg on Wednesday.
