Arsenal overcame a stubborn Fulham defensive display and a nightmare injury to claim all three points and keep their Premier League title dream alive.
Mikel Arteta will be delighted to have defeated their fellow Londoners 2-1, thanks to goals from Mikel Merino and the returning Bukayo Saka, and to have reduced Liverpool's lead at the top of the table to nine points.
And while that nine-point gap could soon be extended by Arne Slot's side, who face Everton at Anfield in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, the Gunners did all they could at the Emirates to keep the pressure on their title rivals.
Here's what Arteta learned during a night that started with a terrible injury blow but ended with a brilliant return and a very satisfying victory.
Injury crisis gets even worse
Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal reacts as he goes down injured
Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal reacts as he goes down injured (Image: Getty Images)
Arteta's injury-hit Gunners, whose season has been plagued by fitness issues, came into this game with the welcome sight of talisman Bukayo Saka back on the bench after a long lay-off for a hamstring injury, which had required surgery.
But just minutes into the clash on Tuesday evening it was another key player's hamstring that was the focus of attention, when defensive lynchpin Gabriel Magalhaes pulled up in pain.
The Brazilian centre back was forced to go off injured, grimacing and biting his shirt, as his manager looked on nervously. Jakub Kiwior took his place.
Arteta is all too aware that the stern test of Real Madrid awaits in the Champions League quarter-finals next week and just how vital Gabriel is to his efforts to secure a historic first European Cup for Arsenal.
Kiwior presented the ball to Adama Traore in the second half, gifting him a golden chance to find an equaliser. Arteta and every Arsenal fan knows he is nowhere near the level of Gabriel - a weakness Madrid could well look to exploit.
There were certainly a few jitters when Ryan Sessegnon cut back for Rodrigo Muniz, who grabbed a late consolation goal when his shot was heavily deflected off William Saliba and beat David Raya at his near post.
Masterstroke
Mikel Merino scored again for Arsenal
Mikel Merino scored again for Arsenal (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The victory against Fulham came once again thanks in part to the inspired decision by Arteta to deploy Spanish star Mikel Merino not in his natural position in midfield, but as a makeshift centre forward.
Eyebrows were definitely raised when the idea of Merino playing up front was first mooted as a solution to the injuries that had ruled out Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Saka in February.
Yet he came off the bench away against Leicester City to bag an unlikely brace that clinched a huge win on the road and he hasn't looked back since - his single strike also downing Chelsea at home in Arsenal's last league outing before the international break.
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Here the Gunners took the lead shortly before the interval thanks to a very fortunate effort from Merino in the 37th minute - but they all count the same.
He dug out a shot that took a huge deflection off Fulham defender Jorge Cuenca and beat former Arsenal man Bernd Leno in goal.
It might not always be pretty - and data released this week suggested Merino is one of the slowest players in the entire Premier League - but he is clearly a potent force in attack thanks to his aerial dominance, intelligent movement and eye for goal.
If Saka isn't quite ready for Real Madrid, Ethan Nwaneri is
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his side's second goal
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his side's second goal (Image: Getty Images)
Saka emerged from the bench in the 66th minute, in a moment Arsenal supporters have been dreaming about for three months.
And it took the England winger all of seven minutes to get on the scoresheet, heading in a cross from Martinelli at close range to send the home fans into delirium.
Saka celebrated his goal in the 73rd minute with the medical staff who have done all they can to get the club's top goalscorer back fit for the final stretch of the season.
He showed no signs of rust and if all goes well, should take to the field against Madrid next Tuesday.
However, if Arteta has any doubts at all about risking him versus Everton at the weekend or even from the start against Real, then he has a great replacement available.
When Saka was introduced, he took the place of teenager Ethan Nwaneri - who once again had made a very impressive contribution until that point.
The 18-year-old pulled the ball back to Merino for him to score the opener in the first half. And he looked a constant threat with his quick feet and desire to impact the match whenever he received the ball.