Tottenham suffered yet another setback as they lost to a rejuvenated Arsenal side at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday early kick-off. That win was important for Arsenal, as it helped Arsenal move to one point of their rivals in the English premier league.The Gunners put in an extremely strong performance, scoring two goals before the interval. Given Spurs pragmatic approach this season, which has seen Spurs enjoy defensive success, it was surprising to see Spurs put in an extremely weak defensive performance.
Key talking
Tottenham struggled throughout the first half, was sluggish in possession and lax in defending.
The Gunners played with far greater vigor and energy, carving open Spurs time and again, with Mesut Ozil playing extremely well behind Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal tried to press Spurs off the pitch, pushing high and trying to put the Spurs midfielders Sissoko and Dembele under pressure. The Gunners opened the scoring midway through the first half when Mesut Ozil floated in a beautiful free kick which was headed in by Germany international Shkodran Mustafi. A few minutes later Spanish international fullback Héctor Bellerin played a nice through ball to Lacazette who then brilliantly supplied Alexis Sanchez for the second goal with a precise cutback after bringing into his stride Bellerin's pass from midfield.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino opted to give his starting eleven a chance to turn things around in the second period. There were no changes made after the interval. Tottenham just had no answer to Arsenal who fully deserved all the three points.
Spurs efforts were few, with the best chance coming when Mustafi blocked a close-range shot from English striker Harry Kane.
The Tottenham striker looked off the pace and was substituted with 15 minutes to go. Meanwhile, the Gunners were trying to play on the counter-attack through Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette over the course of the period.
North London derby
What made the North London derby victory so sweet was that every Arsenal player was fully committed to the cause, something that the Arsenal players have been said to be lacking.
The Gunners were able to find pockets of space in between the Spurs midfield and defense, Arsenal's front three worked extremely hard, pressing the three Spurs defenders and forcing them to misplace passes and turn over possession, ensuring that the Gunners played on the front foot throughout the match.
Spurs were outplayed, outclassed, outscored at the Emirates stadium and went home with their tails in between their legs. Viva Arsenal.