Premier League: Arsenal vs Tottenham Player Ratings

The North London Derby. Arsenal vs Tottenham. A win for the Gunners was necessary in order for a last ditch attempt to rise through the table and make European football. Spurs took all three points earlier in this season: this time, we took what was rightfully ours.

Mikel Arteta - 8

The team sheet was surprising. Benching Willian despite his recent run of good form for Smith-Rowe seemed a bit confusing but acceptable. The big one was Aubameyang, who had been benched for “disciplinary reasons” - Arteta did not elaborate. In spite of this, the game plan was terrific. We dominated the game and especially the possession, however, as soon as Lamela got sent off it was almost as if Arteta was daring Spurs to score by dropping back and parking the bus. Overall, a good night.

Bernd Leno - 7.5

I’m not going to lie; Leno scared me at times. The big step to the near post when Kane’s free kick went to the far post was forgiven as the post turned away the shot, leaving him scrambling on the ground as Davinson Sanchez’s shot was goal bound. Luckily, it was headed away wonderfully by Gabriel. Apart from that, Leno commanded his box and held possession well. The most encouraging thing: he knew when to pass short and when to clear the ball. The goal - you can’t really ask for much there... what a finish by Lamela.

Kieran Tierney - 8.5

Tierney was playing with his food. Matt Doherty stood no chance whatsoever. Tierney’s ability to get in behind the Spurs defence led to around 70% of Arsenal’s attacks. Assisting the first goal, there were multiple opportunities where he should’ve had 1 or 2 more. He was rock solid in defence too, constantly breaking up counter attacks. An immense performance from him.

Gabriel – 8.5

Gabriel is the best CB in the team. It's as simple as that. Another amazing performance at the back – the Brazilian duo at it again. Gabriel was an absolute rock in defence. His goal saving block to deny a late equaliser capped it off; he could not and would not be bested. Brilliant in possession (apart from a very easy pass that somehow resulted in a corner)… very unlucky not to get the Man Of The Match award.

David Luiz – 9

I’ll say it one more time – the Brazilian duo at it again. David Luiz was absolutely emphatic in the last line of defence. At times I thought the weight of Harry Kane in his pocket would slow him down, but no matter whether the ball was on the ground, in the air or in the stands, Luiz was there to deal with it. Also terrific in possession. Also very unlucky to not win Man Of The Match.

Cedric – 8

Out of the whole defence, Cedric had the quietest game. That’s not to say he had a bad game though. He did well to defend Son, Lamela and Moura throughout different segments of the game. After Son went off, his defensive presence forced the other two into the middle of the park. In possession he was again highly efficient, doing well in transition and in attack also. So close to scoring, however, his strike from the edge of the box cannoned off the post.

Granit Xhaka – 8

Xhaka also had a great game. With Partey by his side in defensive midfield, the pair managed to silence the efforts of Hojbjerg and Ndombele. At times he was troubled by Moura, but for the vast majority of the game controlled the lion’s share of possession in the midfield and moved the ball around well in order to transition into attack.

Thomas Partey – 8

Partey had one of his better games in an Arsenal shirt. Rather than watching a Spurs goal from the sideline as he did in the previous fixture, he was heavily involved in the play this time around. With Xhaka, he controlled the midfield and held the ball well. The only thing I have to question is his shots – it seems nearly every time he receives the ball around the attacking box he unleashes a shot that ends up in the stands: I’m yet to see one go on target. In spite of this, he still had quite a good game.

Martin Odegaard – 9.5

There is one and only one thing standing in between Odegaard and the first 10 I have given on this blog: that botched cutback. All it came down to was an easy chance scuffed from around 10 yards out that could’ve put the Gunners up 1-0 at the time. Take away that and it is by far the best game he has played for us so far. So influential in possession with the way he dropped short to receive the ball, played in between the lines, got in behind. Multiple times in and around the Spurs box he did well to control the ball and maintain possession. A bit lucky with the goal to deflect off of Toby Alderweireld, however it was well deserved for both the team and him. A necessity in walking out of the Emirates with a result.

Emile Smith-Rowe – 9

Smith-Rowe is a very similar player to Odegaard. They both love to have the ball at their feet, can drop into any position needed to receive the ball, brilliant in possession and always looking for a way to hurt the opposition – that is exactly why he is still so valuable to us. The way that the 20 year old can put in a shift on-demand at LM is classy. It suited him to tuck in more central in order to let Tierney command the sideline. The scenes if his first strike went in would have been unfathomable. The Hale End graduate was highly efficient in possession, made good defensive efforts and was, as always, a pleasure to watch.

Bukayo Saka – 8

Saka did what he always does. He held the ball well, troubled defenders, cut inside, got in behind, found the right passes, knew when to attack: he was his usual menace-self. Unfortunate not to have seen him return in the second half, to which Arteta explained was due to him “feeling his hamstring”. The state of the injury so far is “unknown”. Losing him for even a month would be a massive blow, however, it may see the introduction of more minutes for players such as Willian (feels weird saying that) and of course for Martinelli.

Alexandre Lacazette – 9

Lacazette did very well. For someone who stands at 5’9, it is not easy to deal with the physicality that a Sanchez-Alderweireld central pairing brings, especially when Hojbjerg is closing in on him from the other side. Lacazette held his own and was a constant presence on the pitch. Choosing to dummy a cutback from 6 yards out was extremely questionable from my opinion, however, he made up for it by winning, and of course converting, his penalty.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Martin Odegaard – 9.5

2 goals in 2 games. An absolute maestro in possession. I’ll have more of that please.