Fans spot '1000 IQ' Ben White tactic immediately before Arsenal's first and third goals vs Tottenham

Fans spotted Ben White's 'genius' tactic immediately before Arsenal scored their first and third goals against Tottenham.

The Gunners took a 3-0 lead into half-time in the north London derby - primarily thanks to their corner-taking technique.

Bukayo Saka's corner was inadvertently headed in by Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to give Arsenal an early lead, before Kai Havertz's close range header made it 3-0 shortly before the break.

Inbetween those goals, Saka found space and was played through on goal before slotting his effort beyond Guglielmo Vicario.

But while Arsenal's set-piece taking abilities have been on show throughout the season, fans spotted what White did that may have given them an extra advantage at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

White briefly took hold of Vicario's gloves for the first goal - not strongly enough to give away a foul, but enough for the Italian goalkeeper to turn around and look back at his opponent.

Ben White unsettling goalkeeper before corner that Spurs conceded from. 😅 pic.twitter.com/5kOXTjWrUV

— AfcVIP⁴⁹ (@VipArsenal) April 28, 2024

His actions for the third goal were slightly more contentious, as he leaned into the Spurs goalkeeper before Havertz powered his header into the back of the net.

Ben White is just able to foul Vicario and get away with it 🤦🏿‍♂️
pic.twitter.com/ec6CCFRvCZ

— Ron (@Ronhotspur) April 28, 2024

As a result, fans are convinced that White may have played a role in both corner goals.

Speaking on Sky Sports at half-time, Roy Keane criticised Spurs for their issues from set pieces: "Arsenal have been excellent.

"Spurs have dominated possession but Arsenal are in control of the game, with the importance of set pieces and the counter attack for the second goal.

"Spurs haven't shown enough courage, particularly in the first 15 or 20 minutes when they got in good positions.

"Defensively, set pieces and the goalkeeper, he has to do better, especially in his six yard box."

Victory for Arsenal would extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points over second-placed Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola's side have two games in hand and face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground later on Sunday.