Premier League
Arsenal Fight Back In North London Derby
Arsenal fought back from two goals down to rescue a point against Tottenham in a thrilling North London Derby at the Emirates.
Goals from Christian Eriksen and a penalty from Harry Kane had put Spurs in charge. However, Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette gave the Gunners a lifeline just before half time.
With 20 minutes remaining Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang caught the Tottenham defense napping, as he diverted a Matteo Guendouzi cross into the net.
Arsenal pushed for a winner but couldn’t find it, despite dominating large spells of the second half.
The result means Arsenal move up to fifth place on seven points. For Tottenham, they are ninth on five points and their wait for a Premier League victory at the Emirates goes on. The last time they emerged victorious was back in 2010.
Leno Gifts Spurs Opener
Arsenal got off to a bright start and were causing Tottenham all sorts of problems down their right-hand side.
However, it was Tottenham who took the lead after just 10 minutes. Son picked the ball up on halfway and drove forward. The South Korean then played a great through pass to Erik Lamela who’s shot from just outside the box was palmed away by Bernd Leno in the Arsenal goal.
The German keeper could only palm it into the path of Christian Eriksen, who had a simple tap in to put Spurs ahead.
On 18 minutes, a Tottenham counter attack had Arsenal’s defense in all sorts of problems. The ball eventually found it’s way to Son who curled a shot from 20-yards-out, which was well tipped over the bar by Leno.
Five minutes later, a cross by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found Nicolas Pepe at the backpost. However, his header towards goal was well blocked by Spurs left-back Danny Rose, as Arsenal looked to respond after going behind.
Arsenal Pay The Penalty
Seven minutes before half time, Tottenham doubled their lead. Granit Xhaka inexplicably slid in and took out Son inside the penalty area. The referee had no hesitation but to point to the spot.
Up stepped Harry Kane who sent Bernd Leno the wrong way, smashing the ball into the corner of the net.
Arsenal almost pulled a goal back just before half time. Ainsley Maitland-Niles pulled the ball back to Nicolas Pepe inside the box. However, the Ivory Coast international’s curling shot was well saved by Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal.
In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Arsenal did pull a goal back.
Tottenham failed to get the ball clear. Nicolas Pepe picked it up and passed to Alexandre Lacazette. The French striker controlled the ball brilliantly and then fired the ball past Lloris to give the Gunners a lifeline.
Aubameyang Levels For Arsenal
It was a breathless start to the second half with Arsenal looking a threat going forward. Meanwhile, Tottenham were looking threatening on the counter attack.
On 51 minutes, one of those counter attacks from Spurs caused the Gunners defense all sorts of problems once again.
Erik Lamela cut the ball back to Son who’s curling shot from just outside the penalty area was tipped wide by Leno.
Four minutes later, Arsenal almost equalized. Lucas Torreira flicked the ball into the path of Matteo Guendouzi inside the penalty area. Guendouzi then unleashed a powerful low shot, which was well parried away by Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal.
Moments later, Tottenham were inches away from restoring their two goal cushion. Brilliant one touch passing from Erik Lamela and Son set up Harry Kane who’s shot from close range struck the post with Leno beaten.
The game was being played at a pulsating pace with chances galore in the opening stages of the second half.
Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos came on midway through the second half and almost made an immediate impact.
The Spaniard unleashed a powerful shot from 25-yards-out, which was tipped over the crossbar by Lloris.
On 70 minutes, Arsenal completed the comeback. A great cross by Matteo Guendouzi found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon striker timed his run to perfection and diverted the ball into the net with Tottenham’s defense standing still.
Arsenal were now piling pressure on Tottenham’s defense who were struggling to get out of their own half. However, neither side were able to find a winner, as both had to settle for a share of the points.
Pochettino Under Pressure?
This was another disappointing result for Tottenham given they led 2-0. It has been a tough start to the new season with just one win from their opening four Premier League games.
Given their run to the Champions League final last season, expectation for the new campaign was high. Especially because of some of the players they had brought in such as Tanguy Ndombele and Giovanni Lo Celso.
However, they have now won only three of their last 13 matches in all competitions. Not only that, they have taken just 16 Premier League points in their last 16 Premier League games.
Mauricio Pochettino will be frustrated at how they threw away a two goal lead against their fierce rivals. In the second half, they lost control of the game and were perhaps fortunate to escape with a point.
It seems ridiculous to suggest that Pochettino is under pressure given how far he has taken the club since he took charge.
But it is impossible to escape their recent run of form in the Premier League and it is something the Argentine has to sort out if they are to reach the top four this season.
Spirit Shown By Arsenal
Arsenal boss Unai Emery will be happy with how his side showed great spirit to come back from two goals down.
The Gunners had the better of the second half and could have easily won it. Arsenal’s front three of Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will cause teams problems.
However, there are still big question marks over their defense. The signing of David Luiz has done nothing to shore up their back line.
Also, midfielder Granit Xhaka let his side down by conceding the penalty. What on earth was he thinking sliding in on Son inside the penalty area only he will know.
Arsenal has the strikers to fire them back into the Champions League. But they also have the defense who could see them miss out once again.
Next up for Arsenal they face Watford away after the international break.
For Tottenham, they are at home to Crystal Palace.
Written by David Coates
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