NLD: Arsenal Go 8 Points Clear of EPL with Win Over Tottenham
Arsenal a very different team from the one that lost 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, looked assured, composed, dynamic and too much to handle for their host, particularly in the first 45 minutes of the encounter.
Arsenal won 2-0 away at Tottenham to go eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League, following an outstanding first half display in the North London derby.
Arsenal a very different team from the one that lost 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, looked assured, composed, dynamic and too much to handle for their host, particularly in the first 45 minutes of the encounter.
It is also the first time the Gunners will be completing a league double over Spurs who have not lost at home to Arsenal since 2013/14, having won the reverse fixture at the Emirates 3-1.
The first real chance fell to Eddie Nketia early in the 6th minute who should have stayed more composed, as his weak left-footed shot could not go past Hugo Lloris.
Lloris then fumbled the ball into his own net in the 14th minute, after Bukayo Saka’s cross took a deflection off Ryan Sessegnon, giving the visitors the lead.
While the home side looked out of sort, Mikel Arteta’s men were more comfortable with the ball and made their dominance count, with Thomas Partey almost doubling his side’s advantage, but his ferocious strike from outside the box hit the post in the 24th minute, leaving Lloris in no man’s land.
Arsenal Captain, Martin Odegaard however made it two nil in the 36th minute, bending his shot into the bottom right corner, with Saka making life difficult for the Spurs defence.
Antonio Conte’s team looked a different side after the restart, upping the ante as they tried to find their way back into the game.
Nketiah then missed a glorious chance to kill off the game with just Lloris to beat in the 70th minute after he was played through on goal by Granit Xhaka.
Tottenham continued to push for a lifeline, but nothing came out of it.
Aaron Ramsdale with a superb showing on the night, kept Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Sessegnon at bay, much to the frustration and anger of the home fans, with one kicking him from behind after the final whistle.
The Gunners have now won all seven Premier League London derby matches this season, and have kept seven clean sheets away from home.
If Arsenal keep such performances and result up against the league’ top six sides, something they have not been able to do for many years, then the fans can start to dream.
