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NORTH LONDON IS RED

Ratul Ghosh
By Ratul Ghosh

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Updated on:
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The second match of Super Sunday pitted two arch rivals against one another. Arsenal met Spurs at the Emirates in the North London derby.

Both teams started off in an energetic fashion, a few sturdy challenges going around. The opening 10 minutes were evenly split as the atmosphere was raucous inside the stadium. Feeding off that energy, the Gunners took the lead. Saka was allowed time to get to the edge of the box and send in a low pass that was tucked home by an onrushing Smith Rowe.

 

 

Partey was the next to try his luck, his shot clawed out by Lloris for a corner. Spurs were looking a bit jaded with Son having their first chance. His shot from a tight angle was well kept out by Ramsdale. However, the away side were helpless in going two behind. A rapid break from Arsenal through Smith Rowe, which included a sumptuous flick from Aubameyang, ended with the Gabonese striker sweeping the ball into the net with his left foot.

 

 

Just when Nuno Santo thought things could not get worse, they did. Kane lost the ball deep into Arsenal territory with the ball ending up at Saka’s feet on the right side. His purposeful run saw Dier dropping back before Kane came rushing back to slide and try to take the ball away. He failed, and the 20-year-old kept his composure to add the third goal.

 

Kane had a half chance from a corner but skewed his header wide right after the last goal. Suffice to say, Mikel Arteta was the happier manager at halftime with Spurs having some serious thinking to do. He responded by taking off Alli and Tanganga, replaced by Emerson and Skipp.

That did little to change the tide however, with Spurs still having to work extremely hard in order to get forward. Kane was being isolated well while Arsenal looked dangerous every time they attacked. There were penalty shouts for either team but to no avail. Kane finally got his first shot of the afternoon, forcing Ramsdale into a one-handed stop.

 

He went close again, controlling a ball over the top before putting his shot just wide of the goal. The game settled down after that, with Arsenal protecting what they have without getting too adventurous. Saka saw a good shot pushed away by Lloris, the youngster having one of his best games till date.

 

Son finally got one back, side footing Reguilon’s cutback to cut the deficit to two. There was some moral debate as to whether Spurs should have put the ball out, given Xhaka was on the deck in the buildup but the goal stood obviously. The game petered out as time went on, with Spurs having the final shot. Lucas Moura’s deflected shot had to be acrobatically tipped onto the bar by Ramsdale as it finished 3-1.

 

Here are the three key takeaways from the match:

GUNNERS FIRE FOR THE WIN

It was as perfect a performance as it could get from Mikel Arteta’s side. They were far more energetic right from the off, causing Spus all sorts of problems especially when they got wide. Saka was troubling Reguilon to say the least, while Odegaard and Smith Rowe were finding acres of spaces in the middle. All the three goals came from the enterprising spirit of the home team, the two Hale End graduates heavily involved.

 

At the back, White had his best game yet for the Gunners while Tomiyasu shut down his continental compatriot Son all afternoon. Though Kane showed the barest of spars early in the second half, and Son scored to bring it back to 3-1, it was not enough. Arsenal thoroughly deserved the win and go above their rivals in the table.

 

SORRY SPURS CRUMBLE AGAIN

Three games, nine goals conceded, one scored. These are not happy times for Nuno Santo and everyone associated with the club. After a good enough start to the season, the reality of former seasons’ nightmares have come back again. Kane played centrally but the closest he came to scoring was when his poor attempt at dispossessing Saka did not work.

 

Son had little joy on the left flank while it beggars belief how Lucas Moura lasted the entire game. The defence was a shambles, Reguilon and Tanganga given the runaround all throughout the first half. Though they managed to stem the tide in the second half well, the damage was already done. Even Son’s goal brought little joy as Spurs sink to a third consecutive defeat and drop out of the top ten.

 

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH KANE?

Five games and still no goals confirmed his worst drought since 2016. Kane’s goal contributions were one of the two biggest reasons for Spurs securing European football last season. With their talisman going cold, it is no doubt they are barely able to disguise the problems.

 

There is no doubt the whole transfer saga before the start of the season played a role in unsettling him perhaps, but this is still confounding. If he does wish to leave to a mega club next year, Kane has to start producing soon and help Spurs climb back up the table.

Ratul Ghosh
Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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