Arsenal played host to Tottenham in last night’s North London derby at the Emirates. Both teams were in desperate need of a result before they go into the coming week’s respective European fixtures.
Tottenham were looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats while Arsenal were looking to recover from their inconsistent start to the Premier League season.
Arsenal dished out a 5-2 thrashing to the visitors following the sending off of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emmanuel-Adebayor-c12526, who had scored the first goal of the game. The Gunners ran rampant and were ruthless in attack, and got a morale and confidence boosting result against Tottenham,
who have now suffered three consecutive defeats in the league.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wojciech-Szczesny-c36998 – 7
The Pole shot-stopper made his return to the first team after almost two months out. Szczesny had a good game, and was not at fault for both of Tottenham’s goals. He could have however reacted quicker to Defoe’s initial shot that led to Tottenham’s first
goal. He was focused and calm in his distribution, and commanded the Arsenal backline solidly.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 – 8
The Frenchman was a calm presence at right back, and supported Theo Walcott in attack to good effect. He made a mess of trying to catch Defoe offside, which eventually led to Tottenham’s first goal.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Per-Mertesacker-c29680 – 8
The German centre-back once again showed his lack of pace as he failed to catch up with Defoe for Tottenham’s opening goal. He did however make amends by scoring the equalizer through a towering header past http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Lloris-c16408. Mertesacker was also at fault for
Tottenham’s second, where he failed to track Bale’s run.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 – 8
The Frenchman was a calm and reassured presence in the centre, and had an almost flawless game. He carried the ball forward well and covered for Mertesacker’s lack of pace at the back.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 – 8
The Belgian looked like his former self. Vermaelen was solid at left-back, and showed no signs of struggling as he had in earlier games. He rushed forward with intent and provided adequate support to Podolski.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikel-Arteta-c25715 – 8
Arteta was back to his usual best in the defensive midfield role, and showed no signs of lethargy or tiredness. The midfielder has been the pivot of Arsenal’s brilliant and promising midfield, and provided good support at both ends of the pitch.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463 – 9
Wilshere showed signs of fatigue towards the end, but was immense in the centre as he carried the ball back and forth. Made some excellent tackles and twisted and turned phenomenally, always finding space and being available for a pass.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505 – 9
The Spanish maestro was back to his best, and was a constant threat through the middle. Cazorla really shines in the free role that Wenger has trusted him with, and threatened Tottenham with his dribbling and link-up play. He scored Arsenal’s 5th
goal and was ever involved in all their attacks.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896 – 8
The German scored Arsenal’s second goal and worked hard at both ends of the pitch. Podolski assisted Arsenal’s 5th goal by putting in a superbly weighted low cross for Cazorla to slot home. His work rate was again at display, and begs the question
if his earlier poor performances were down to Santos’ poor positioning and lazy approach.
Olivier Giroud – 9
The French striker looks to be improving with every passing game. Giroud held the ball up well, and troubled Lloris with his superb aerial ability throughout the game. He got http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429’s 3rd goal, and displayed his excellent positioning and movement
off the ball.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 – 9
Arguably the man of the match, Walcott has been unusually consistent this season, and was posed a constant threat down the right hand side. The winger got an assist and scored Arsenal’s final goal. It was an excellent night for the player, who has shown
just how vital he is to this Arsenal side.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7
Chamberlain was brought on for Giroud in the final minutes, and immediately made his impact on the game. The starlet strutted past Vertonghen multiple times, and set up Walcott for Arsenal’s last goal on the night.
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