![]() ![]() Rice’s absence was certainly noticeable in the second half. The latter’s movements at centre-forward were consistently well-timed, providing a threat in behind.Īrsenal pivot Declan Rice had gone off injured at half-time, to be replaced by Jorginho. They worked the ball to their right side where possible, with Maddison dropping deeper to connect the midfield into Kulusevski or Son. Three minutes later, Maddison kept an attack alive after Arsenal had failed to clear, then crossed from the left for Son to equalise.Īfter the teams exchanged goals in two second-half minutes, the game became more transitional. Tottenham’s counter-attacks continued to threaten, however. With their tails up, Postecoglou’s team began to play in behind earlier and build pressure. These two combined well to set up Johnson on 39 minutes, who was denied by a superb save from David Raya. Tottenham’s chances mostly came from combinations between Kulusevski and dropping centre-forward Son (above). By contrast, on Tottenham’s left, Brennan Johnson was forced to work back more due to Saka’s threat. The right winger had space to break into while Zinchenko recovered back (below). With Zinchenko inverting and Arsenal focused more on their right side, Spurs’ counter-attacks were most efficient through Dejan Kulusevski. Having Vieira in the wide-left channel allowed Arsenal to attack around both sides of Tottenham’s back line. Maintaining width on this side was also important, given that left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko inverted. Left-sided eight Fábio Vieira moved wide left to accompany these rotations and provide attacking width. Gabriel Jesus started on the left wing, but began to rotate with Nketiah in the central-forward position (below). A deflected effort from Saka gave the hosts a 1-0 lead, adding to his confidence in getting at the Spurs back line.Īrsenal’s left side slowly got into the game, especially through switches of play from the right. Without additional defensive support, Udogie found it tough going against the England attacker. Ødegaard's runs, along with Eddie Nketiah’s positioning as the central forward, meant Tottenham were initially unable to double up on Saka. Udogie was booked in the 15th minute for a challenge on Saka, who then took the opportunity to drive at him more.Īrsenal’s right-sided number eight, Martin Ødegaard, provided runs inside, especially when Udogie committed to press out to Saka (below). Bukayo Saka had regular 1v1 moments against left-back Destiny Udogie, and caused the young Tottenham left-back plenty of problems. Playing in their familiar 4-3-3 structure, Arsenal provided more threat down their right in the first half. Both teams had chances to win it, but had to settle for a point. ![]() Son again finished coolly, after Jorginho had been dispossessed. This time, the lead lasted only a minute. The Gunners took the lead again on 54 minutes, when Saka dispatched a penalty after Romero was penalised for a handball. Tottenham made him pay, when Son Heung-min equalised just before half-time, finishing off after a spell of concerted pressure. Six minutes later Gabriel Jesus dispossessed James Maddison, only to miss a great chance to double the lead. They took the lead after 26 minutes, when Cristian Romero deflected Bukayo Saka’s shot into his own goal. The home side were never behind in this 194th edition of the derby, and were left to rue what might have been. After all, Tottenham had won only one of their last 30 Premier League away games against Arsenal. ![]() Given Arsenal’s growth under Mikel Arteta and Tottenham’s poor record away in the derby, a draw in the manner it was earned was a confidence boost for the visitors. For the Australian head coach, it was a test that he certainly did not fail, even if it couldn’t be marked as a pass with flying colours. This early-season north London derby was billed as a test of Tottenham’s progress under Ange Postecoglou. ![]()
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