Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 vs. Arsenal; Bale, Van Der Vaart and Kaboul bring about stunning comeback for Spurs
When football fans argue that the most entertaining games are played at a high tempo, they must have been referring to the thrilling encounter that took place between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend,
on November the 20th. The North London derby was a far cry from the Manchester derby played on the 10th of this month at the City of Manchester Stadium, which ended in a goal-less stalemate and left critics and fans demanding more from
both sides. The Emirates Stadium proved to be a greater stage than Eastlands as Tottenham saw their determination and drive pay off against their local rivals.
It was a glorious day for Tottenham, as Redknapp’s men, who trailed 0-2, turned the game around to deny Arsenal the top position with an emphatic score of 3-2. Spurs fans and neutrals would argue that it was an extraordinary day
in the North London derby, with 95 minutes of absolute drama. It was the first away win for Tottenham against the ‘big-4’ (teams who hold the top four positions in the English Premier League) in sixty-nine games.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had previously only lost three out of thirty-four games against Tottenham, but has been trophy-less for the past five years - the Gunners’ thirst for glory could be seen in their constant attacking
play, as Samir Nasri, arguably Arsenal’s best player this season, scored in the 8th minute and had Gunners fans on their feet, singing all around the Emirates. The goal materialised out of a fantastic pass from Cesc Fabregas and Nasri’s first touch
was too harsh which sent the ball rolling well ahead of the Israeli player, and for a moment he looked as though he would not be able to make the goal through the almost impossible angle - yet one could argue that it was Gomes’ fault as he failed to clear
the ball moments before, despite getting both his hands on it. Samir displayed sheer skill in scoring the goal from the sharpest of angles to put the Gunners one up.
Tottenham, who still haven’t kept a clean sheet since the opening day of the season, conceded a second goal on 27 minutes. Once again it was the Spaniard, Fabregas who began a counterattack and was allowed so much space in midfield
and subsequently fed the ball to Arshavin, who passed it to on-fire striker Chamakh to make it 2 for Arsenal, and 9 for himself. He is now the top goal scorer amongst Wenger’s men this season.
Tottenham clearly did their homework at half-time and were given a boost by Redknapp’s decision to introduce Englishman Jermain Defoe for Lennon. It had been 17 years since Tottenham tasted victory on Arsenal soil and they were
not prepared to make it an 18th. The substitution proved to be a fruitful decision and the Spurs reduced their two goal deficit to one. It was the White Hart Lane hero of the moment, Gareth Bale who scored the goal. Van Der Vaart, who for the first
time felt what it was like to be two goals-down at Arsenal, received the ball from Defoe and passed it to the in-form Welshman who silkily tucked it in the bottom left corner. Tottenham’s saviour, Bale has so far played in every game for the Spurs this season
- he previously got a goal against Arsenal at White Hart Lane and now on enemy soil at Emirates Stadium.
Spurs fans could see that their team were playing with greater pace and thrust since Defoe’s arrival on-field. It was a handball by Fabregas and Chamakh, to their collective disbelief that brought their rivals on level. A penalty
awarded to Tottenham was taken by Dutchman Van Der Vaart and gave the visitors two goals with an ambition for a third. Tottenham did very well to contain Nasri in the second half and Redknapp sent on Crouch who in midweek gave his country a consolation goal
against France. Arsenal made their changes too, with Nasri and Arshavin leaving, and Walcott and Rosicky taking their place.
With five minutes of playing time left, Van Der Vaart took a free kick which saw Kaboul beat out the opposition around him in the box to put the Spurs in front in a fabulous fashion. On a day that Arsenal could have gone on top
of the league, they were toppled by their greatest of rivals. Immediately, all around the Emirates were scenes of Tottenham fans’ joy and Arsenal desolation. Arsenal succumbed to their third and perhaps most painful home defeat of the season. Arsenal play
Aston Villa next on Saturday in the English Premier League, but face a fixture against Braga on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.
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