A-List Arsenal Erase Derby Day Doubts

A-List Arsenal Erase Derby Day Doubts:

The North London Derby is easily one of the biggest rivalries in English football, so it really needs no introduction. The home ground belonged to Arsenal, and so did every other facet of this fixture.

Mikel Arteta – 9

Mikel Arteta got it spot on. Many said it was time to use the 433, yet he stuck with the 4231. Bringing Xhaka back into the starting line-up immediately after his 3 game suspension ended was questioned by many (including me), yet he stuck with him. The line-up was brilliantly thought out. A solid back four that was built to deal with the aerial threat of Harry Kane, as well as the outside pace of Moura and Son. A midfield that was constructed to perfectly counteract the double/triple pivot that Tottenham commonly uses. Finally, a forward line that fit Arteta’s game plan perfectly. It was brilliant.

Another thing worth mentioning: Arteta tactically outclassed Nuno. It became clear that Spurs struggled against a hard press, which became evident against Palace and Chelsea, so he used this information to his advantage. He ran a high press led by Aubameyang and Odegaard, forcing Tottenham to give up possession. As soon as they did, he attacked with blistering pace on the counter. An Arteta masterclass.

Aaron Ramsdale – 9

I know he didn’t get a clean sheet, but what a performance… again. All Gunners fans were kept at ease knowing that as soon as the ball was crossed into the box it ended up in those safe red gloves of his. Unbelievably calm in possession and even pulled off an amazing save to tip a deflected shot onto the crossbar. If he continues this form, I don’t see a way in which Leno finds himself back in the starting line-up any time soon.

Kieran Tierney – 8

Tierney had a quieter game then usual, but by no means does that means it was bad. He didn’t get forward as much as we are used to seeing him do but his defensive solidity was there for everyone to see. Barely anything came down his side as he silenced Lucas Moura completely.

Gabriel – 8.5

This man seems to have regenerated his career ever since his injury. Another massive presence in defence where it seemed he couldn’t put a foot wrong. Unfortunately lacked a bit of marking in conceding the goal but other than that, he was dominant once more and is starting to look like one of Arsenal’s best players this season.

Ben White – 8.5

That was a £50m performance. He was all over Harry Kane and gave him absolutely nothing. Won possession for the first goal and did brilliantly in holding off the Spurs attack alongside Gabriel.

Takehiro Tomiyasu – 8

I cannot get enough of seeing this man play. Apart from the assist to Spurs’ goal coming down his side, he performed very well. Although he didn’t attack as much as we have previously seen, he still did his part for the team. Possibly most important of all, every time Ramsdale parried the ball into the box, he was the first to get to it and clear the ball.

Granit Xhaka – 9

My exact words upon seeing him in the line-up were “Xhaka is starting. After 3 games of nothing. What has he done? What has Arteta done?”

Arteta showed why he is in charge of the team.

Xhaka was everywhere. It seemed like Tottenham couldn’t string together 5 passes without him getting in the way. A stellar performance. Hopefully the knock he received at the end is closer to a corky then it is to an ACL injury. Hopefully.

Thomas Partey – 8.5

He stays fit, we win games. It is as simple as that. Every time he shows how vital he is to the team’s success. Especially in a counterattacking format, his ability to transition the ball from defence to offence was essential to walking away with the 3 points.

Martin Odegaard – 9

To think that we paid only £30m for this man is outrageous. So so so important in being able to start and continue the counterattack. His ability to carry the ball yet lay it off to the right man at the right time was impeccable. Didn’t stop running for the whole 90 minutes and led the Arsenal press.

Emile Smith-Rowe – 9.5

He was impeccable. Absolutely brilliant. As soon as Arsenal won possession, he was bursting forward to join into the attack. Brilliant link up play down the left side and was just delightful to watch. His movement to get on the end of the ball to score the first and then the vision to find Aubameyang open for the second were just dazzling. Couldn’t have been more deserving of a goal and an assist.

Bukayo Saka – 9.5

It was almost as if Saka and Smith-Rowe were having a contest to see if one could best the other. Smith-Rowe got a goal, Saka went and got himself a goal. Smith-Rowe got an assist, Saka got an assist. Finally having the freedom to play as he likes without another teammate crowding his space, he was immense in all facets of the attack. He too couldn’t have been more deserving of a goal and an assist.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 9

I was starting to question whether Lacazette would be the best option to start as he could hold the ball and link the play better. Arteta stuck with Aubameyang and oh how it paid off. A classy finish to tuck the ball into the corner for his goal. Arteta giving his team the offensive freedom that we saw was the best possible move: it brought the best out of all of them, including Aubameyang.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 7

Came on for just over 10 minutes and solidified the team well.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7

Whether he was put on at RB or at CDM, I’m not completely sure, but he did well regardless.

Nuno Tavares – 7

Was electrifying and energetic as soon as he stepped foot on the pitch, playing well.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Bukayo Saka – 9.5

Emile Smith-Rowe – 9.5

They were both outstanding. Both with a goal and an assist, couldn’t really separate them.

In all honesty, Mikel Arteta should be included too, because he practically won the game before a ball had even been kicked.