Arsenal completed a north London derby double as they recovered from going behind to see off Tottenham at the Emirates.
The Gunners were dumped out of the FA Cup three days ago but produced the perfect response as two first-half goals helped them land the season’s bragging rights over their neighbours, who had taken the lead courtesy of Son Heung-min.
The South Korean notched once again in a London derby but the visitor’s lead didn’t last long as Gabriel, scorer of the winner in the reverse fixture, got on the end of a corner to level the contest. The goal eventually being credited to Dominic Solanke, who put through his own net.
Arsenal were then able to take advantage of some slack Tottenham play moments later as Leandro Trossard enjoyed acres of space down the left before firing past Antonin Kinsky.
Ange Postecoglou tweaked his XI to add more attacking quality in the second-half, but his side couldn’t find the equaliser as the game continued to ebb and flow. Solanke was denied by a brilliant block whilst the host’s lack of productivity in the final third remains as numerous chances went begging.
It didn’t prove costly on this occasion as Mikel Arteta’s side were able to take advantage of a rare opportunity to close Liverpool, who had drawn 24 hours earlier, whilst Tottenham have now won just once in their last nine Premier League outings.
Here’s the major talking points from the Emirates.
Two defeats in less than a week meant that one trophy opportunity was gone with another looking increasingly doubtful. A defeat to their arch rivals would’ve left Arsenal trailing Liverpool by a considerable margin in the Premier League.
If ever a game this season was must win, it was this one. Arsenal though produced a fitting response to see off their rivals and close on top spot. The gap was reduced to four points, albeit they’ve played a game more. The Gunners have been in control of the title race in early January in each of the past two seasons. But that isn’t the case this time round and they have little margin for error if they want to chase down the leaders.
It’s almost as if there’s a checklist when Tottenham are in action. Ensure the no 0-0 draw run continues – check. Play our way into trouble in our own half – check. Throw all caution to the wind with the line-up – check.
Tottenham are anything but a surprise nowadays and whilst they’ve beaten top teams, they’ve equally been beaten more times than they’d like to mention. The narrative around Postecoglou’s side is firmly set and they can have few complaints with their performances continuing to underline what we know about his Tottenham team. Entertaining, brittle defensively, determined to score more than their rivals, whatever the cost, but desperately out of form.
Postecoglou will have been tearing his hair out watching his goalkeepers in recent weeks. Guglielmo Vicario has been a big hit since arriving at Tottenham and is clearly the team’s No 1 – and boy is his absence telling.
He’s out with injury and we’ve seen Fraser Forster come in to cover. The less said about his showing, especially against Manchester United, the better. Kinsky has just arrived for more than £12m and been thrown straight in, but he has by no means inspired confidence in the backline. The Czech goalkeeper made some horrendous decisions with the ball at his feet and should’ve done more to stop Trossard’s strike.
For years Arsenal home games were labelled toxic with the fans having such little patience with the team, as well as the ownership. Then in recent years its become a genuine home advantage with the crowd cheering every positive moment and revving the players up the minute they conceded.
Now, it’s something of a hybrid, and it feels like supporters are as invested in the team’s success as they are frustrated with their continued shortcomings. That makes for an immensely tense atmosphere, and it is particularly evident with Arsenal determined to not let another season pass them by.
It has largely been a loan to forget for the Chelsea man, who hasn’t got anything like the amount of minutes he’d have been after when he made a deadline day move to the Emirates back in the summer. Starts have been few and far between, but due the injury crisis a door opened.
Sterling started from the right and showed glimpses of quality, but also moments of rustiness, no doubt born from a lack of confidence. The former Manchester City man isn’t anywhere near the level he was years ago and, based on Wednesday night’s showing, he won’t be guaranteeing himself more minutes as he was hooked on the hour mark.
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