Wenger plays final mind game

At least Wenger, who secured the title at Tottenham last season, avoided the indignity of losing the crown against Arsenal's north London rivals at Highbury.

For that he can thank Jose Reyes, the young Spaniard whose 22nd minute goal separated the teams last night. In truth, Arsenal were infinitely more accomplished when in possession but, in the absence of Thierry Henry, the goalscoring burden feel upon Reyes.

He of course scored three goals against Chelsea last season and Mourinho's men, watching the match together on TV at Stamford Bridge, can blame him for the delay in their Championship celebrations.

He almost scored in the opening minute, dashing on to a through pass from Robin van Persie and rounding Paul Robinson before shooting into the side netting.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had to make his only save of the first half, blocking a shot from Jermain Defoe, before Reyes once again exposed the flaws in Tottenham's flat back four.

Cesc Fabregas squeezed a through ball between defenders and Reyes latched on to it, hitting a clubbing left foot drive beyond the dive of Robinson. "That goal gave him the boost he needed," smiled Wenger.

Unfortunately, the Arsenal manager appears resigned to losing Reyes. "He knows I'd love him to stay but I fear he will go," he said.

Reyes had another chance late in the first half and, after the interval, Phillipe Senderos went close with a header, Edu hit a post, Kolo Toure blasted a long range shot over the bar and Reyes again finished off a wonderful passing movement with a shot that hit the side netting.

Although Patrick Vieira lost the ball occasionally, Arsenal's passing was far superior and gave Tottenham little scope to create. Their best scoring opportunity came in the last seconds when substitute Robbie Keane headed inches wide.

It was a rare slip by the Arsenal centreback partnership of Toure and Senderos. They are good enough at the moment to keep Sol Campbell on the substitute's bench. Now fully recovered from an ankle injury, the England defender is ready to play but Wenger said: "He'll be back but the players who have deputised have done well. He'll have to be patient."

Arsenal have now gone 10 consecutive games without losing - and with just one goal conceded. "We've got our defensive stability back," said Wenger. "That's what cost us the Championship between November and January when we couldn't win 1-0. It was too easy to score against us.

"Looking back, it's a shame because we now have 74 points with four matches still to play. We won the title in 1998 with 78 points."

Wenger played down one moment of controversy at Highbury, when Lauren's elbow made contact with Erik Edman's neck as they chased the ball into touch early in the second half.

"I think that Lauren ran and touched him, but it looked completely an accident," insisted Wenger.

Spurs boss Martin Jol added: "I was standing there and sometimes you think you are dreaming and possibly wrong but, from what I saw, he put his elbow in Erik Edman's neck.

I have no problem with it though." Spurs also unsuccessfully claimed a late handball by Ashley Cole. "Robbie Keane said he fell on to the ball so if it wasn't a foul and it was a corner for us, maybe it should have been a penalty," said Jol.

"We are disappointed because we could have nicked it."

Chelsea, of course, would have been delighted had they done so. Instead they must wait - at least another five days before they can finally be crowned champions.