Arsenal have beaten Tottenham Hotspur at home with a 4-2 victory . Arsenal are now tied on points with Tottenham with 30 points at fourth place. Unai Emery and his men now extend their undefeated run to 19 games in all competitions, and with a win in his first North London Derby is huge achievement for the new manager.
Arsenal began the game with a 3-4-3 formation that they began using last week versus Bournemouth, wing backs Saed Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin began the game with huge impacts on their side with counter attacking and being huge threats. A cross from Kolasinac is handballed by Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, he receives a booking and there is penalty awarded to Arsenal in the 9th minute. Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang scores the penalty and gives Arsenal the lead. Aubameyang is now the top goal scorer in the Premier League with 9 goals, surpassing Manchester City’s forwards Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling with 8 goals.
In the 18th minute, Arsenal winger Alexander Iwobi gets a shot saved by Hugo Lloris, but seconds later its won back and its to Kolasinac. He crosses it from the left flank and it delivers to Bellerin who has a shot blocked. Both fullback are really benefiting from this new formation being able to attack more knowing they have three central defenders behind them.
Heung-Min Son has been Tottenhams most dangerous player so far, causing trouble on his left wing of the field. In the 28th minute he is taken down by defender Sokratis Papastathoupoulos and Spurs are awarded a dangerous free kick on the left flank. Eriksen swings it in to Dier who heads in the equalizer. The celebration for Tottenhams goal has turned into a brawl as Arsenal substitutes confront Eric Dier for his celebration telling the fans to hush.
Another Brawl is emerged as Tottenham are awarded a penalty after a challenge by Rob Holding. The call is very debatable as Son is barely touched and falls, but referee Mike Dean awards the penalty. Situations like these are why the Premier League need VAR, it’s a tight call and the referee needs the reassurance for calls like this. Harry Kane give Arsenal the lead after his penalty, in a matter of just 3 minutes Tottenham take the lead.
First half ends 1-2 and Tottenhams penalty will be the highlight of the first half, Arsenal began the match well with a deserved lead but gave a free kick in a dangerous area that led to a draw. Tottenham take the lead after Harry Kanes penalty sends Goalkeeper Bernd Leno the wrong way
Second half begins and Unai Emery has two instant substitutions, Alexandre Lacazette comes on for Alex Iwobi, and Aaron Ramsey comes on for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Both teams are seen to be playing very aggressive, with players constantly shoving and making as much contact they can.
Pierre Emerick- Aubameyang scores again, its 2-2 at the 56th minute. After a beautiful through ball from Bellerin, Ramsey turns the ball and gives it to Aubameyang who scored a fantastic goal from his first touch. He is now the first player this season to reach double digits in goals. This goal has given the team so much momentum, they almost take the lead again. A corner sets to Mustafi who has his shot blocked off the line, it falls to Lucas Torreira who his shot barely go wide.
Another chance in the 62nd minute. Xhaka has his cross to meet Sokratis who heads the ball of the post. In the 68th minute Son almost gives Tottenham the lead, after Bellerin makes a mistake with a horrible cross to Son, who takes a shot but it is brilliantly saved by Bernd Leno. Shkodran Mustafi is seen to come off with an injury, it doesn’t seem to serious but it’s not being risked, he comes off for Matteo Guendozi. A formation change is most certain and Arsenal now change to four at the back.
Lacazette gives Arsenal a lead after an outrageous solo goal in the 74th minute. He takes on the two defenders brilliantly and scores even though he slips. Another goal from him in a big game. His 6th goal in the Premier League this season.
Its 4-2 in the 77th minute! Lucas Torreira scores his first goal for Arsenal and what a game to have it in. He scores from an excellent through ball from Aubameyang, Eric Dier mistimes his tackle and Torreira scores one on one against Hugo LLoris.
Son is taken off for Lucas Moura and is booed of the field from the penalty incident.
Jan Vertonghen is booked again and is sent off after a challenge against Lacazette. Tottenham are down to 10 men and Vertonghen must be disappointed with himself this game, being in fault for the penalty and now this. 4-2 at the 85th minute.
Another brawl with Harry Winks being furious, confronting Granit Xhaka for falling down from his challenge. This match has had multiple disputes between the two rival sides.
Unai Emery wins his first North London Derby in a game that has to go down as one of the most memorable games in North London Derby history, a match that was full of drama and goals.
Arsenal Ratings:
GK: Bernd Leno – 56
He had some fantastic saves throughout the match but was at fault for the first goal. He could have put any body part and saved it but he went for a volleyball-like dive and they scored.
Defenders: Mustafi – 8 (CB) Holding- 7 (CB) Sokratis – 7 (CB)
All three defenders shut down Tottenhams attack, only mistake they really made throughout the match was Sokratis foul on the free kick that led to goal. Rob Holdings challenge against Son is very controversial, from replays it is shown there is contact but it is very light and Son dived for the penalty.
Midfielders: Bellerin – 9 (RWB) Torreira – 9 (CDM) Xhaka-7 (CDM) Kolasinac-9 (LWB)
The wing back pairing are really enjoying this new formation, being the most dangerous players in Arsenals transition from defense to attack. They caused multiple problems on Tottenham flanks. Lucas Torreira scores his first Arsenal goal in the best situation possible.
Forwards: Mkhitaryan – 6 (CAM) Iwobi – 7 (CAM) Aubameyang – 10- (ST)
Both CAM’s were taken off at half time and their substitutions changed the game dramatically. Aubameyang had a perfect game, scoring 2 goals and getting an assist. He is the top scorer in the league being two goals ahead of his nearest competitors.
Subs: Lacazette – 8 (CF) Ramsey- 9 (CAM) Guendozi- 6 (CDM)
Ramsey and Lacazette were huge impacts winning the game. Lacazette scored a marvelous goal and Ramsey set up two goals with two assists.
Arsenal are now in fourth place and once again, won the game in the second half. They now have 8 goals in the first half and 12 conceded with a -4 goal differential. In the second half they have 24 goals scored and 6 conceded with a +18 goal differential.
Tottenham Ratings:
GK: Hugo Lloris- 4
He made some great saves throughout the match but conceding four goals in a derby is never a good performance.
Defenders: Aurier-5 (RB) Foyth – 6 (CB) Vertonghen – 4 (CB) Davies – 6 (LB)
Vertonghen had a horrendous game being sent off, he is suspended for the next 3 league games. Aurier was being a very problematic defender, letting his temper out in multiple occasions throughout the game.
Midfielders: Dier – 5 (CDM) Alli – 5 (CM) Eriksen -6 (CM)
The battle in midfield was won by Arsenal, with Allie and Eriksen kept quiet majority of the game. Eriksen set Dier up for their first goal but didn’t do much after. Dier was in fault for the last goal as his mistimed challenge left Torreira alone for the winner.
Forwards: Son – 8 (LW) Kane – 6 (ST) Sissoko – 5 (RW)
Heung-Min Son was by far Tottenhams best player of the game, he gave Tottenham so much space and won them a controversial penalty. Harry Kane was kept quiet throughout the game but scored a penalty keeping his excellent record versus Arsenal. He now has 8 goals versus Arsenal, and 7 in the league this season.
Arsenal are now in fourth place in goal difference and face Manchester United this Wednesday at Old Trafford. Tottenham next match is versus Southampton who just drew with United yesterday, Tottenham must keep their heads high and not lose any focus if they want to beat Southampton. Arsenal will meet Tottenham again on December 19th, where they’ll face each other at the Emirates Stadium again in the EFL Cup Quarter-final. This match will most likely be full of high intensity just like this fixture.
Alex's Soccer Blog 