Arsenal’s Leah Williamson slides in to tackle Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp [James Whitehead/SPP]

THREE more Premier League points, extra-time winners and comeback victories saw the feelgood factor surrounding Arsenal Football Club intensify this week.

The first-team’s 4-1 thrashing of Leeds United on Saturday earned the majority of the headlines as Mikel Arteta’s side held on to their eight-point advantage at the top of the table.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

On Tuesday Arsenal’s Under-18s booked their place in the FA Youth Cup final with a thrilling 2-1 extra-time win over Manchester City.

The young Guns got off to the ideal start when they found themselves a goal and a player up within the opening minutes of the match.

City’s Lakyle Samuel was sent off after bringing down Omari Benjamin when he was through one-on-one, and from the resulting free-kick Michal Rosiak found the back of the net to send the home fans wild.

Ethan Nwaneri, who grew up in Islington, went close to doubling Arsenal’s advantage with a curling effort that flashed just wide, while Rosiak and Benjamin also went close.

Despite being a man down, however, City equalised late in the second half through Justin Oboavwoduo to send the game into extra-time.

With just seconds on the clock before a dreaded penalty shootout, Myles Lewis-Skelly, also from Islington, became the hero when he headed home Bradley Ibrahim’s inch-perfect cross to score a last-gasp winner.

Arsenal’s Under-18s boss, Jack Wilshere, became the latest figure from the club to praise the home supporters after some 10,000 fans flocked to the Emirates to watch the semi-final showdown.

“The supporters are so important and I spoke to the players before the game about using the fans’ energy to help us get through the game,” said Wilshere.

“At the end of the game, I went around the stadium to thank them because they have been amazing for us every step of the way.”

The Gunners will also boast home advantage in the final against either West Ham United or Southampton, who play their semi-final at the London Stadium tonight (Thursday).

Reflecting on the big win, Wilshere added: “I’m so glad we won it the way we did. It was special and that’s why everyone loves football, there’s no better feeling.

“The players have a special type of unity and it’s our biggest strength – we keep pushing, we keep going to the end.

“The moment when we scored the winner was special and it’s going to live in the memory of all the players, staff, and everyone involved with the club.”

That winning feeling was also present on Sunday when Katie McCabe rifled a fantastic shot into the top corner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 to keep their hopes of being crowned Women’s Super League champions very much alive and kicking.

City were well on top in the first half at Meadow Park and took the lead within the opening five minutes courtesy of Khadija Shaw’s well-placed header.

But the Gunners showed their battling spirit, equalising just after the hour mark through Frida Maanum before McCabe picked up a short corner and lashed an unstoppable shot into the net.

The win saw Arsenal leapfrog City into third in the table, three points behind leaders Manchester United but with a game in hand. Chelsea are second and have a two-point lead over the Gunners – who still have to play both United and Chelsea away.

Head coach Jonas Eidevall almost struggled to sum up what the win meant to him and his side.

He said: “I told our players I’m almost lost for words for how they handled adversity and challenges during this block [of games].

“It was great turning this game around – it’s a great result. One of our values is to be 100 per cent. No matter the situation, we never give up.”