The visitors knew victory at the home of their rivals would seal a return to Champions League football but they capitulated and slipped to a 3-0 defeat, as well as having Rob Holding sent off, to leave Spurs just a point behind.

Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot with Cedric Soares deemed to have shoved Son Heung-min, who added the third after Kane had doubled the lead before the break.

Holding's red card was sandwiched between Kane's goals as the Arsenal defender came out second-best in a tussle with Son.

Speaking after the game, a clearly frustrated Arteta refused to blame his players for what was a surprisingly abject performance, but said of Paul Tierney's refereeing: "If I say what I think I'm suspended for six months.

"I'm allowed to give my interpretation on the game but I don't like to lie so I'd prefer not to say.

"With my players, I'm so proud of my players. You can ask the referee to come in front of the camera and explain his decisions. I make mine. That's his decision.

"A beautiful game was destroyed today."

When asked about Arteta's take on the decisions from the officials, Conte did not hold back.

"He complains a lot," the Italian said.

"He has to focus more on his team. He has to focus more on his work. He has to continue to work because he's a very good (coach). To hear someone complain all the time is not so good.

"At Liverpool (on Saturday) do you hear me complain about Fabinho and all the fouls? No. He can take my advice if he wants, but if not I don't care.

Both teams now have two games remaining as the fixture came at a crucial stage of the season, having been rescheduled after Arsenal successfully appealed to the Premier League.

Conte has been unhappy about the postponement and once again hit out at the call as he continued to criticise his north-London rivals.

"He (Arteta) complained about the fixtures and that was after Arsenal had an unbelievable postponement with just one COVID case," he added.

"Now we're playing at 12pm on Sunday and they don't play until Monday. We can't always complain."

There are two games remaining for each team and fifth-placed Spurs have what looks an easier finish to the season than Arsenal.

While Spurs face two of the bottom four - Burnley and already-relegated Norwich - Arsenal must travel to Newcastle before a home game against Everton.

Australian Associated Press