Arsenal 2 - 2 Tottenham
Daniel Smith
Tottenham started for the first time this season with Jan Vertonghen, whilst Eriksen started and Dele made the bench. Arsenal also made some new changes to their line up with Pepe, Aubameyang and Lacazette starting for the first time together. Tottenham's Davinson Sanchez also started at right back, a new move by Pochettino.
The fiery derby didn't take any time at all to pick up, Spurs kicked off and Arsenal came flying out to pressure Spurs back. They began to pick on Spurs' biggest weakness, Davinson Sanchez at right back. It was a shaky first 5 minutes for Tottenham but after settling and gaining some possession, they began to show some more class in the tie.
10 minutes in, a great long kick from Lloris to Kane who headed backwards towards Son, who shows great awareness of Erik Lamela who cuts into the central role, piercing the heart of Arsenal's defence who takes a shot which Leno can't hold, leaving a darting Christian Eriksen to tap in. Some poor awareness by Sokratis who goes too far central, giving Eriksen too much space to run through, and by the time he turns his head Eriksen has already fired into the back of the net.
Sokratis seemed to be in 2 minds, who went up behind Xhaka to head Lloris' ball. Something Emery needed to fix because for the next 20 minutes, Spurs brought high tempo counter attacks to Arsenal.
The fiery derby didn't take any time at all to pick up, Spurs kicked off and Arsenal came flying out to pressure Spurs back. They began to pick on Spurs' biggest weakness, Davinson Sanchez at right back. It was a shaky first 5 minutes for Tottenham but after settling and gaining some possession, they began to show some more class in the tie.
10 minutes in, a great long kick from Lloris to Kane who headed backwards towards Son, who shows great awareness of Erik Lamela who cuts into the central role, piercing the heart of Arsenal's defence who takes a shot which Leno can't hold, leaving a darting Christian Eriksen to tap in. Some poor awareness by Sokratis who goes too far central, giving Eriksen too much space to run through, and by the time he turns his head Eriksen has already fired into the back of the net.
Sokratis seemed to be in 2 minds, who went up behind Xhaka to head Lloris' ball. Something Emery needed to fix because for the next 20 minutes, Spurs brought high tempo counter attacks to Arsenal.
39 minutes in, Harry Winks spins round Maitland-Niles to bring a ball back to Son who takes a touch in the middle of the box, ready to pass back, and Xhaka comes flying in, knocking Son completely of his feet. A moment of madness by the Arsenal midfielder who is very experienced and really shouldn't be doing that. By full time, Xhaka had 7 fouls. The only time he should be flying in like that is if in a desperate situation, but Son wasn't even pulling the trigger. Poor defending and choice by the Switzerland midfielder. Harry Kane was behind the ball to the penalty who sends a unstoppable high speed side netting shot to put Tottenham two up.
Tottenham were preparing to go into the 2nd half 2-0 up but then Lacazette happened. Some clumsy defending and being unable to clear allowed Pepe to pick the ball up on the edge of the area to put through a lovely pass to Lacazette who springs in between Vertonghen and Alderweireld, takes a classy touch to take control before firing powerfully past Lloris at his near post. A goal Arsenal needed, which changed the complexion of the game into the second half, giving Arsenal a confidence and Momentum.
The time of that mistake for Tottenham had a lapse.
Into the second half, and 59 minutes in, Tottenham play a beautiful 1-2 leading Harry Kane to take a curling shot from a really tight angle to smash against the post, a shot Tottenham desperately needed to go in to take a foothold in a game.
As nerves began to really come through for the Tottenham fans, Aubameyang is moved into his favoured central position and 71 minutes into the tie, Guendozi brushes past Winks and Eriksen, finding some space which gave him time to lift a fast paced bending ball over Tottenham for Aubameyang to sprint onto. He brushes the ball with his studs and perfectly scores and puts Arsenal level. A really cute finish by the forward but from a Tottenham Hotspur perspective, it was a nightmare.
Into the second half, and 59 minutes in, Tottenham play a beautiful 1-2 leading Harry Kane to take a curling shot from a really tight angle to smash against the post, a shot Tottenham desperately needed to go in to take a foothold in a game.
As nerves began to really come through for the Tottenham fans, Aubameyang is moved into his favoured central position and 71 minutes into the tie, Guendozi brushes past Winks and Eriksen, finding some space which gave him time to lift a fast paced bending ball over Tottenham for Aubameyang to sprint onto. He brushes the ball with his studs and perfectly scores and puts Arsenal level. A really cute finish by the forward but from a Tottenham Hotspur perspective, it was a nightmare.
For the rest of the game, it was back and forth like a basketball match, with Jose Mourinho stating on Sky Sports that he "never wanted it to end".
Arsenal did stick the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled offside with only 15 minutes to go.
There was a penalty incident in the last 2 minutes of the game in which Harry Kane went down to a Sokratis push. Most thought it was a dive but personally he looked like he was preparing to do the shield technique which he normally does. However, despite that for me it isn't a incident that would result in a penalty.
For Pochettino though, he has not won in his last 7 Premier league visits to the Emirates who says the game was "tough for the team... but the quality of Arsenal was so high" but is still "so happy". Pochettino also seems certain that playmaker Christian Eriksen will be a Spurs player after the European window shuts tomorrow.
Emery after the match was "very proud of [the] work" and admits the 1st half for his side was full of mistakes. Into the second half he said "the emotion of the supporters" and some "defensive control and [tactical] changes in our head" allowed Arsenal to equalise.
Harry Winks believes the "fight was there from start to finish" who did a good job for Tottenham today in his midfield role.
For the pair of these sides, it is clear to see why the Arsenal v. Tottenham derby is the most exciting derby in England which always displays emotion, tension, goals, fights and passion.
Arsenal now travel to Watford after the international break whilst Tottenham face 4th placed Crystal Palace for the 2nd time in their new home.
Arsenal did stick the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled offside with only 15 minutes to go.
There was a penalty incident in the last 2 minutes of the game in which Harry Kane went down to a Sokratis push. Most thought it was a dive but personally he looked like he was preparing to do the shield technique which he normally does. However, despite that for me it isn't a incident that would result in a penalty.
For Pochettino though, he has not won in his last 7 Premier league visits to the Emirates who says the game was "tough for the team... but the quality of Arsenal was so high" but is still "so happy". Pochettino also seems certain that playmaker Christian Eriksen will be a Spurs player after the European window shuts tomorrow.
Emery after the match was "very proud of [the] work" and admits the 1st half for his side was full of mistakes. Into the second half he said "the emotion of the supporters" and some "defensive control and [tactical] changes in our head" allowed Arsenal to equalise.
Harry Winks believes the "fight was there from start to finish" who did a good job for Tottenham today in his midfield role.
For the pair of these sides, it is clear to see why the Arsenal v. Tottenham derby is the most exciting derby in England which always displays emotion, tension, goals, fights and passion.
Arsenal now travel to Watford after the international break whilst Tottenham face 4th placed Crystal Palace for the 2nd time in their new home.