Arsenal (3) 3 v 1 (0) Tottenham Hotspur
12 Smith Rowe, assist Saka 78 Son, assist Reguilon
28 Aubameyang, assist Smith Rowe
33 Saka Yellow: Skipp, Referee Craig Pawson.
Played Sunday 26 September 2021 at the Emirates Stadium, attendance 59,919.
Looking at Tottenham Hotspur’s first 6 fixtures of the 2021-22 Premier League (PL) season 9 or 10 points would have been a good return. After 3 straight wins even 12 or more looked possible. Then came 3 heavy defeats in 3 Premier London Derbies (PLDs) matches and coupled with Arsenal’s revival the tables have now been turned, much to the Gunners’ fans pleasure. The match statistics tell the story – the match was all over as a contest in 35 minutes. In that time Arsenal sliced through the visitors’ non-existent midfield, which neither shielded the defence nor created chances, at will scoring 3 good goals, 2 by home grown, young, hungry, skilled and fast English players.
Two half-time substitutes energised Spurs a little – they finished up with more possession (53% v 47%) overall and a consolation goal by Heung-Min Son. Harry Kane, playing in his 250th PL game and this fixture’s record top scorer (12), put a header wide and had a shot saved. At the other end of North London derbies’ history the Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale (another Englishman) playing in his first, denied Lucas Moura with a fine save. The only downside for the Gunners was a knee injury to Granit Xhaka which may keep him out for 3 months. If this defeat was not enough Arsenal Women beat Tottenham Women 5-1 in the quarter finals of the Women’s F.A. Cup on Wednesday 29 September in another one-sided North London derby!
The PLDs show goes on and next up is West Ham United v Brentford on Sunday 3 October 2021. This fixture has not been played before in the PL, but Brentford’s confident start in the topflight continued with a marvellous 3-3 draw v Liverpool which kept them in 9th place on 9 points. The Hammers won away at Leeds to rise to 7th on 11 points, but the Bees have not yet lost away so a draw seems possible, but we shall see what October brings.
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.