Arsenal 4-2 Spurs
Unai Emery’s Arsenal took all three points and leapfrogged Spurs into fourth place in a pulsating North London Premier League derby.
This was a full blooded affair, the type we love at SBOBET, and it’s sure to appear in the Premier League 2018 highlights package, as we saw the game flow back and forwards, skirmishes, red cards and high drama for the full 90 minutes.
Opinions were divided in North London around which team was favourite to win this, but in the end there was no doubt as Arsenal put on a display packed with passion to see off their fierce rivals.
Highlights of the game
Pochettino gave a start to Juan Foyth, leaving out the experienced Toby Alderweireld and that raised a few eyebrows in the Arsenal camp as they started the game on the front foot. In the very first minute Henrikh Mkhitaryan raided down the right and released a cross which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed over the bar.
But minutes later it was Foyth’s defensive partner Jan Vertonghen who lost his nerve, sticking a hand up to deflect a ball away from Shkodran Mustafi’s head to give the referee an easy decision to point to the spot. Aubameyang stepped up and as Hugo Loris dived to his left the Arsenal striker fired the ball the other way to give the Gunners a deserved lead.
It was all Arsenals and Aubameyang was close to adding a second from close range, but he couldn’t get a clean shot away when the low cross arrived just behind him. And then Alex Iwaki almost scored but his shot from 12 yards was blocked by Loris’ outstretched foot.
Then, after the Gunners had dominated for half an hour, two minutes of madness saw Spurs draw level and then go ahead. Christian Erikson has been such an influential player for Spurs over the past few seasons, and he scored the crucial late winner against Inter to keep the Lilywhites’ Champions League campaign alive. He was instrumental in Spurs’ equaliser after Socrates tripped Heung-Min Son. Erikson swung in a dangerous free-kick and Eric Dire sneaked in unmarked to glance the ball past Leno. It was shocking marking by the Arsenal defence and his celebration in front of the home fans sparked a melee with the Gunners’ substitutes and earned Dire a yellow card.
Just as Arsenal wondered how they weren’t ahead they were behind. Rob Holding clattered into Son, rather unnecessarily, and Harry Kane slammed home the visitors’ spot kick.
Emery rang the changes, bringing on Alexander Lacazette and Aaron Ramsay to replace Iwaki and Mkhitaryan. And the changes paid dividends. On 55 minutes Ramsay made a great run onto a through ball and hooked the ball sideways to Aubameyang and the striker hit a first time beauty from the edge of the box and beyond Loris.
Once again it was all Arsenals and Dele Alli flung himself at the ball to block a Mustafa effort on the goal line, and then Socrates came close but his header flew over the bar. Spurs was still dangerous on the break and slack Arsenal defending gave Son a free shot on goal but Leno saved well.
And then the Emirates went crazy on 75 minutes when Lacazette took advantage after Ramsay had robbed Foyth on the half way line. The striker collected his through ball and fired low into the corner, with the help of a deflection off Dire. Then just two minutes later there was bedlam when Lucas Terrier collected a pass from Aubameyang and fired the ball past a despairing Loris and into the corner.
As if Spurs’ day couldn’t get any worse they went down to ten men when Vertonghen saw red for a nasty foul on Lacazette.
But it couldn’t get much better for the Gunners.
Key Statistics
The Premier League 2018 odds suggest these two teams are likely to finish between third and fifth, which way around remains to be seen but Arsenal made a big statement as Emery won his first derby in charge.
Aubameyang scored his tenth league goal of the season which took him to the top of the Premier League scoring charts, and his goals could see the Gunners win a Champions League place.
It was Groundhog Day for Spurs. They have lost more points from winning positions in Premier League games against Arsenal, than any side has against another in the history of the competition. And this fixture has seen both teams score more than any other, 35 and counting.
More crucially the Gunners are unbeaten in 12 in the league and are now ahead of their rivals.
What’s next?
There’s a full Premier League fixture list in midweek and the Gunners head north for another classic game away to Manchester United. The Red Devils looked all at sea, going 2-0 down to Southampton yesterday, but hauled themselves back to win a rather unimpressive point. They should raise themselves for this game; otherwise the Old Trafford crowd will vent its fury.
Meanwhile, Spurs welcomes the Saints to North London. Mark Hughes side is still in the bottom three and is unlikely to fare as well again.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
