Match Report – Match Highlights – Post-Match Press Conference
Final Result: Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal (Romero 63′, Son 86′ | Hojbjberg 14′ OG, Saka 26′, Havertz 37′)
Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, White; Rice, Partey, Odegaard (Kiwior 89′); Trossard (Martinelli 63′), Saka, Havertz
The stakes couldn’t be any higher as Arsenal headed into the North London Derby to take on a Tottenham side that had plans of Champions League qualification with Aston Villa dropping points against Chelsea. The home side drew first blood when Leandro Trossard gifted a chance to Tottenham in the danger area in his bid to support the defense, but James Maddison’s drive went over the bar.
Arsenal got the lead when Bukayo Saka swung in a corner that was unfortunately bundled in Pierre Hojbjberg. The best part of the Arsenal opener was seeing Ben White perform some dark arts against Gigi Vicario and the Tottenham players didn’t read the script. The home side wasn’t deterred by Arsenal’s goal, and almost got an equalizer when Cristian Romero headed Maddison’s dead ball to the post. They continued the pressure and got the ball at the back of the net from Micky van de Ven, but VAR ruled the chance out.
The turning point of the match came when Dejan Kulusevski tripped on himself after some adjudged pressure from Trossard, and Maddison tried to con the ref for a penalty, but Arsenal launched a counter attack that saw Saka feed the ball to Havertz and make a darting run forward. Havertz dallied on the ball a bit and floated a peach of a pass to the Starboy that made mince meat of Ben Davies before side-footing the ball past Vicario. Two goals became three when Declan Rice swung in a sumptuous corner that was headed home by Havertz. There was more dark arts from White on Vicario, which was pretty damn hilarious.
Arsenal going into the break three goals ahead showed great control and it was almost 4-0 up early in the second half when Takehiro Tomiyasu sent a glancing header over the bar. Just when we thought we had seen it all, David Raya unleashed the same type of error that Aaron Ramsdale was culpable for in the 3-3 draw with Southampton last season. Raya had a teammate to give the ball on his right and also the option of a punt into the opposition half, but he inexplicably chose to dink the ball straight at Romero, that scored a strikers finish. When you add the Son Heung-Min penalty from a stonewall foul committed by Rice on Davies, we braced ourselves for a very chaotic and nervy finish.
Tottenham huffed and puffed but Arsenal held on to grab what they came for in the first place – three vital points.
This team has improved in leaps and bounds under Mikel Arteta and the finale of this season will be one for the ages. Sadly, Nottingham Forest failed to capitalize on the good chances they created against Manchester City, especially Chris Wood, so it’s onto the next one for both teams, as Arsenal host Bournemouth, while Man City hosts Wolves. Liverpool is certainly out of it, after Jurgen Klopp’s side dropped points against West Ham.
Sayonara.
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