Spurs 1 – 1 Arsenal

Spurs vs Arsenal Previous Fixture

Arsenal 4-2 Spurs – 2nd December 2018

Arsenal moved above Spurs in the Premier League table after defeating them 4-2 in a disappointing North London derby on Sunday. It was a difficult afternoon for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as, even though they were 2-1 ahead at half time, they never really got going in the encounter. That was in contrast to an Arsenal team that played to a high-intensity, something which the Spurs team, playing their third big match in a week, could not replicate.

Arsenal started the game brightly and within a minute, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw his headed effort go over the bar. Soon after, the Arsenal striker had the chance to put his side ahead from the penalty spot when Jan Vertonghen handled Granit Xhaka’s free kick. The out of character action from Vertonghen summed up Spurs’ start as they were evidently unsettled by an Arsenal side that had started brightly. Aubameyang’s resulting penalty put the Gunners ahead within ten minutes.

Almost immediately, Heung-min Son had a chance to level things in what was the opening opportunity for Spurs. Dele Alli’s lofted through ball sent the South Korean captain away, however the angle was always narrow and it would have took a brilliant strike to beat Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno who put his shot out for a corner.

12 – Our best chance of the game so far. @dele_official plays the ball over to Sonny who forces Leno into a smart save at his near post.

🔴 #AFC 1-0 #THFC ⚪️

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 2, 2018

Although Arsenal were on top and started the much brighter team, it was Spurs that scored the next goal after twenty-nine minutes. A Christian Eriksen free kick was yet again the source, as this time Eric Dier flicked on to head past Leno, who really should have done better than to fumble the ball into his net. Dier’s strike came with much relief, which then spilled over as the Arsenal players complained about Spurs’ celebrations by the corner flag.

The match was then turned on its head a few minutes later as Spurs were awarded a penalty. Harry Kane demonstrated brilliant hold up, something he has exhibited for both club and country this season, to set Son away with a back heeled pass. He raced into the Arsenal area and cut back inside where he was caught by Rob Holding, who made an erratic challenge on the Spurs man. The tackle was one that Holding did not need to make and the rashness of it is what gave Harry Kane the opportunity to put Spurs ahead. The pressure did not impact Kane as he rolled his spot kick into the net as if he were on the training pitch. It was not deserved, but Spurs were ahead in the derby and remained so until the break.

GOAL: Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham

Son goes down in the area and Harry Kane converts from the penalty spot as two goals in a few minutes change the game.#ARSTOT: https://t.co/iHCTXnzkJM pic.twitter.com/DNvVLaurnw

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 2, 2018

Spurs started the second period well and had some half chances through two different free kicks. The first from Eriksen was more of a cross but was put into an area that caused uncertainty for Leno who had to force the ball wide. Then, from the opposite side of the pitch, Harry Kane directed a free kick goalwards which was smartly saved by Leno.

However, soon after Arsenal had their equaliser. Hector Bellerin’s through ball found Aaron Ramsey who played in Aubameyang on the edge of the Spurs area. Still with a lot to do, the former Borussia Dortmund man fired in a first time shot into the bottom corner, which left Hugo Lloris with no chance.

The goal started a wave of Arsenal pressure which resulted in them taking the game out of Spurs’ reach. Arsenal’s third came in sloppy fashion and started with Juan Foyth losing out to Aaron Ramsey on the halfway line. The Welshman, due to leave Arsenal at the end of the season despite being offered a contract extension, then offloaded to Alexander Lacazette. Another halftime substitution, Lacazette was under pressure from a number of Spurs players, so cut back on his left foot before having a try. His strike took a deflection off Eric Dier, which was just enough to take it away from Lloris.

The Gunners were not done there and through Lucas Torreira  grabbed their fourth of the match to take it away from Mauricio Pochettino’s men. Aubameyang was again at the centre of everything as he played in holding midfielder Toreira, who had made a forward run to be one-on-one with Lloris. The Uruguayan fizzed his shot in to give his side an unassailable lead and to cap off an excellent display from him and his team.

FULL-TIME: A second-half comeback from the home side sees them take all three points in the derby. pic.twitter.com/GlBpu2BcLA

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 2, 2018

The evening got worse for Spurs as Jan Vertonghen was shown his second yellow card. The Belgian centre half followed through on his tackle on Lacazette and was given his marching orders by Mike Dean in what was a forgettable afternoon at the Emirates Stadium for Spurs.

Spurs v Arsenal Teams

Spurs v Arsenal Man of the Match

On a bad afternoon for Spurs, Dele Alli and Heung-min Son were probably the two best players for them. Son’s pace and dribbling troubled the Arsenal defence for both of Spurs’ goals whereas Alli was a nuisance for the Gunners and constantly won free kicks for Spurs. For his role in both goals, our Spurs man of the match is Heung-min Son but Mauricio Pochettino will know that both he and the rest of his Spurs players will have to improve in their next outing.

What’s Next for Spurs

Spurs have a two day break before they are in action against Southampton at Wembley. The Saints have recently sacked manager Mark Hughes and former goalkeeper Kelvin Davis will take charge on Wednesday.

After that, Spurs will travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City in the late kick off on Saturday 8th December.

England striker Harry Kane punished Arsenal with a header early in the second half. The first half was quiet in terms of chances. The first opportunity came for Spurs in the 26th minute when he found some space, but the striker looped an incoming cross over the top. Bellerin charged down the right flank on the 40-minute mark and drilled an effort towards the top right-hand corner of Lloris’s net, but his shot kept rising and beat the post.

In front of a Premier League record attendance of 83,222, Kane clinched the only goal of the game in 49 minutes. Ben Davies whipped a dangerous shot into the penalty box and the Spurs No. 10 rose to tower above Laurent Koscielny and nod it downwards into the bottom left-hand corner. Only moments after his goal, the England man found himself unmarked in the Arsenal box with a glistening opportunity to score his brace but glanced his header wide. Eriksen had a chance to double up in the 56th minute with a free-kick that struck the woodwork from the edge of the box. Jack Wilshere then went close with 20 minutes to go, forcing a full stretch save from Hugo Lloris with a bending shot from 19 yards.

Lamela and Alli both had chances to double the Spurs lead as the Lilywhites continued to dominate the Arsenal half. Alli failed to flick a chance into the net as the Arsenal keeper charged him down in a one-on-one, and Lamela had his effort parried away. Kieran Trippier struck the ball nicely on the half-volley, powerfully playing across the Arsenal goal. However, the Arsenal goalkeeper did well to beat it away with a strong right hand. Lacazette could have levelled the score, but he failed to keep his composure and rocketed his volley over the bar.

Spurs vs Arsenal Attendance

Wembley Stadium: 83,222

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