Arsenal was at the winning side in a 6 goal thriller north London derby at the emirate stadium. The gunners who first took the lead by an Aubamayang penalty find their selves trailing to two goal to one at half time. But Arsenal had the final say in the game putting up an electrifying performance to score 3 second half goals to limp pass north London rivals Tottenham in the league table and 8 points behind Manchester city.
Unai Emery faced Pochettico for the first time in a fixture that is filled of great rivalry, and of course this one was nothing short of it, two penalties’ in the game (one for each side), a red card for vertonghen and players clashing in the match couple of times was enough to make a typical derby game.
Match result
Arsenal 4 - 2 Tottenham
Arsenal team News
I am sure many would have predicted Emery to field in a defensive side due to the short comings they have been facing in that department. But Manager Emery had it all planned out, Arsenal went for a back three this time compared to a five-man defense last time out at Bournemouth. Sokratis, Rob holding and Mustsfi held the defense line. Kolasinac and hector Bellerin played as left and right full backs respectively while captain xhaka and Torreira joined to complete the four-man midfield. In attack it was Aubameyang in front supported by Alex iwobi from the left and Mkhitaryan from the right. The gunners were without their star man Mesut Ozil and Striker lacazette who missed their last game due to a slight injury started from the bench, skipper Laurent koscienlny couldn’t make the final match day list after being accessed for the match.
Tottenham team News
Pochittino side came into the game after a champions victory against Inter Milan and a wonderful performance last week against Chelsea. For this encounter they will be missing out on four players Wanyama, Sanchez, Dembele, Janssen and England star Tripper. The manager chooses to be ambitious with his defense selection, picking 20-year old juan foyth over the experience Belgium man Toby Alderweireld, he was paired in the center with Verteonghen with Ivorian Aurier coming in for Tripper and ben Davies played at right back, in the middle was Dier, sissoko, Dele Ali and the Danish power house Erikson. Upfront was Harry kane and Heung-Min son to set up a 4-3-1-2 formation.
MATCH SUMMARY
Arsenal didn’t waste time in pressing high on the Tottenham defense, and it was Vertonghen who soon gifted them a penalty, the defender hands were flying up the sky and the referee mike Dean didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot kick. Aubameyang slotted a calm spot kick into the bottom right corner to give the gunners the lead. Arsenal who were looking to get their first half time win of the season were cut short at the 30 th minute, Sokratis boats cuts Dele Ali at the edge of the 18 yard, the visitors were handed a free kick, Erikson’s ball from the free kick finds the head of Dier who just touches the ball slightly with his head, the pace on the ball beats Leno at the near post and Tottenham levelled. Four minutes later it was the turn of spurs to get their own penalty after a slight touch from holding on Son, Harry kane rises up to take the penalty and he fires home into the left corner to give spurs the lead just before half time.
Unai Emery made two tactical changes at the break, bringing in Aaron Ramasey and Lacazette to replace Iwobi and Mkhitaryan. The game soon change momentum as arsenal dominated the start of the second half and their effort soon paid off, Bellerin finds Ramsey in space who paced towards the ball and just touches the ball to Aubameyang at the edge of spurs box who didn’t hesitate to fire home a powerful finish to make the score 2-2, goalkeeper illoris was helpless and didn’t make any attempt to keep it out. Unai Emery two half time substitute paid off again, ramsey finds Lacazette outside the box his weak shot towards goal was slightly deflected which beats the keeper and Arsenal took the lead back. The gunners where not done yet and three minutes later Ramsey’s pass beats the legs Dier to set up Lucas Torrera, the Uruguayan slotted the ball at the far post to make the score line 4-2 for the gunners and seal the victory for his team. Five minutes to time Vertonghen gets his second yellow card of the game and he was shown a red card and spurs played with 10 men for the final five minutes plus additional time.
Talking points
It was an all arsenal party as they dominated over 90 percent of the game and Lucas torrera scores his first goal for Arsenal.Their creativity and control of the game were superb and they are gradually crawling into the tittle challenge. The win made it 9 game unbeaten run at home and 20 in all competition. The gunners are now in the top four and just one point behind Chelsea in third. The gunners travel to Old Trafford next week to face Manchester United in another great encounter.
Do you think Arsenal now have the title Credentials?
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