Arsenal Humbles Tottenham At The Emirates
Goals by Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka crowned a brilliant first-half performance as Arsenal humbled arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal made one change from the last side as Granit Xhaka returned from suspension and replaced Nicolas Pepe. Tottenham made three changes from last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea as Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez were came into the side with Lucas Moura.
The Gunners took the lead through Smith Rowe’s first league goal of the season as he calmly placed the ball past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from Saka’s cut-back from the right flank.
Goal scorer Smith Rowe then set up Captain Aubameyang in the 27th minute.
In a sensational counter, Aubameyang flicked Kieran Tierney’s pass out wide to Smith Rowe on the left. The young English midfielder brilliantly found Aubameyang in the box and the Gabonese international put the ball past Loris.
The Gunners were tearing Spurs apart and scored a third seven minutes later as Saka was released on the right flank.
Kane tried to recover the ball, sliding in on his England team-mate. However, the ball fell back to Saka, who slotted the ball into the far corner from close range to cap off a sensational first-half performance.
Spurs attempted to change the game by bringing on Oliver Skipp and Emerson Royal for Japhet Tanganga and Dele Alli at the break. But they still faced the challenge of breaking through the strong Arsenal defence.
Tottenham missed two chances through Harry Kane as he headed wide unmarked from a corner in the box. And then Kane missed another after lifting over Aaron Ramsdale and wide having found himself through on goal.
Heung-Min Son pulled one back with 11 minutes remaining, finding the net from Sergio Reguilon’s cross as Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale couldn’t keep the ball out.
However, it was too little too late for the visitors whose early-season optimism was no where to be found.
Arsenal have won their last three having lost their first three, while Spurs have the same record in reverse, conceding three goals in each of their last three Premier League games. They’re 11th, with Arsenal now ahead in 10th.
“This win is for the fans,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. “They were there when we needed their support, and it doesn’t get much better than the atmosphere we saw today, so this is for them. We started really strongly and were determined.”
“It’s probably one of the best games I’ve seen us play in that period in the first half. In the second half we had to do what we had to do. The determination, the conviction and connection with our people. We just need to keep everyone alive and fit because we are going to need everyone,” He added.
“It was probably the exact mix we needed with the senior players stepping in, dominating the game, the leadership of Granit and Thomas, and then the youth, full of enthusiasm and good energy. It’s not just about winning it’s the way we did it. It’s a special day.”
Arsenal now go to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, while Spurs host NS Mura in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
Premier League results
Southampton 0-1 Wolves
Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Chidi Nwoke/Premier League.
