Arsenal secured a memorable 3-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Saturday to cement their spot at the top of the table.
The Gunners put an end to the Antonio Conte-managed side’s unbeaten start to the campaign, with their pressing, intensity and pace causing their neighbours all sorts of problems.
Thomas Partey gave Arsenal the lead in the 20th minute with a curling effort into the top corner from outside of the box. But their lead lasted just 11 minutes as Harry Kane levelled things up from the spot, after Richarlison was hacked down by Gabriel inside the box.
Minutes after the break, Gabriel Jesus restored the Gunners’ lead, scrambling home from close range to capitalise on a poor error from Hugo Lloris. Things turned from bad to worse for Spurs after Emerson Royal was dismissed for planting his studs on Gabriel Martinelli’s ankle from behind. Five minutes later, Granit Xhaka capped off the hosts’ impressive display with a well taken goal.
With Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal getting a much-deserved victory over their rivals Spurs at the Emirates Stadium, here are three talking points from the North London derby.
- William Saliba is the real deal
William Saliba is slowly becoming the leader in defence Arsenal have needed for years. There were suggestions that the young Frenchman could struggle due to the lack of pace and experience around him, but he proved his critics wrong with a colossus performance.
Saliba was one of the best players on the pitch at Arsenal’s home turf, showing great composure, smartness and physicality to keep a well-oiled Spurs attack, led by Kane, at bay. He cleared a lot of balls in the box, won many aerial duels and passed out from the back like an experienced pro.
On a stage as big as the North London derby, the French defender proved himself and demonstrated that he has a bright future ahead of him.
- Harry Kane—A London derby monster
Harry Kane’s performance was one of the rare bright spots in a dismal Spurs defeat against Arsenal. He often dropped deep and found pockets of spaces in midfield to create meaningful openings for his teammates in the final third.
The England international’s goal from the spot means that he is now the leading scorer in London derbies, scoring 44 goals in as many games. With this, he has surpassed former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry’s tally of 43 goals.
Kane has also scored against Fulham and Chelsea this season, showing that he prospers when staying in London. With his goal against Arsenal on Saturday, the 29-year-old became the first player in Premier League history to score 100 goals away from home.
- Antonio Conte lacks a Plan B
Tottenham were convincingly beaten by their arch-rivals as Arsenal outclassed, outwitted and ruthlessly exposed Antonio Conte’s tactics.
Spurs’ plan was clear from the onset—they were set up to pounce on Arsenal’s mistakes and counter attack them with pace and flair, but they sat so deep and invited too much pressure that rarely allowed them to get out of the jail.
Despite knowing that the Arsenal full-backs step inside to give their team numerical supremacy in midfield, Conte failed to change things and allowed the game to flow. The momentum had swung in the favour of the hosts after they went 2-1 up, and even when Emerson Royal shot his team in the foot with a ridiculous sending off, the Italian tactician wasted plenty of time to make changes and alter his system.
Tottenham went into the derby unbeaten in the Premier League, but it is fair to say results have flattered to deceive them in recent weeks and Conte must reconsider his plans going forward.
