Arsenal FC won the prestigious London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. The 2-1 win sees the Gunners move closer to the top of the table.
Last Sunday, Arsenal lost in the FA Cup to Manchester United and also lost Gabriel Jesus, who will be out for a long time with a cruciate ligament injury. Gunners coach Mikel Arteta was therefore also without his offensive man in the North London derby, with Sterling replacing him and starting for the third time this Premier League season – one of four changes in Arsenal’s starting lineup.
Kinsky makes Premier League debut
Tottenham had survived the third round of the FA Cup, unlike the Gunners, but only managed to beat fifth-division side Tamworth in extra time. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou made five changes, but Kinsky, who had already scored against Tamworth, was allowed to start again. It was the 21-year-old’s debut in the Premier League.
In his first Premier League minutes, Kinsky had a lot to do – the keeper had to clear crosses with his fists again and again or prove his nerves when Havertz aggressively tackled him (17th, 21st). But clear shots on goal were rare at first. Arsenal dominated the game, applied pressure, but hardly created any chances.
Son turns the game upside down – Arsenal answers twice
The Spurs barely got out of their own half in the first 20 minutes. But suddenly the visitors became dangerous several times – and took the lead. Kulusevski was still denied by Raya (22′) before Son’s deflected shot found the net (25′).
The home side were not shocked by this surprising setback: Arsenal continued to have the majority of the ball. And before half-time, the Gunners turned the game around. First, Solanke headed Gabriel’s header decisively into his own goal (40′). Shortly afterwards, Trossard put the home side in front with a powerful shot from the left (44′).
Harmlose Spurs remain winless for the fifth time in a row
After the break, the game remained open for a short time, but chances created by Havertz (53rd, 56th) and Sterling (57th) quickly set the tone again. The Gunners were unable to maintain this rhythm, but the home side did not relinquish control of the game. Spurs no longer posed any goal threat, and it was only in injury time that they created another dangerous opportunity, when Pedro Porro hit the far post (90.+4).
The derby defeat means that Spurs have not won in the Premier League for the fifth time in a row. Arsenal, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten run in the league to eleven matches. The Gunners also reduced the gap to league leaders Liverpool to four points.