Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Gunners Claim North London Bragging Rights?

With all eyes falling on north London on Wednesday night, Arsenal once again claimed local bragging rights as they clinched a 2-1 victory against arch-rivals Tottenham.

Seeking an immediate response following their FA Cup exit against Manchester United last weekend, the Gunners were left stunned after 25 minuets as Heung-min Son saw his deflected effort find a way past David Raya.

However, dominating for large spells on either side of Spurs’ shock opener, it didn’t take long for Mikel Arteta’s side to complete a quickfire turnaround at the Emirates.

With Brazilian defender Gabriel watching his header glance off Dominic Solanke and bundle its way over the line, Arsenal took the lead just second later as Leandro Trossard’s effort squeezed past Antonin Kinsky.

Although both Kai Havertz and skipper Martin Odegaard might have gone close to adding a third during the second-half, chances largely came at a premium after the restart.

The Gunners end Wednesday’s showdown sat four points adrift of Liverpool and with the runaway leaders still holding a game advantage.

As for Spurs, only continuing on what has become a major Premier League struggle, Tottenham have recorded just a single point from any of their last five Premier League appearances.

On a night when Arsenal once again claimed north London bragging rights, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the Emirates.

Arsenal get the boost they were desperate for

Watching their FA Cup adventure come to an end last weekend at the hands of historic rivals Manchester United, Arsenal opened Wednesday’s showdown with the feel of a squad seeking a welcomed boost.

Getting their EFL Cup semi-final underway with a shock 2-0 loss at home against Newcastle on January 7th, Arteta’s side were without a win from any of their previous three showdowns against Premier League opposition.

However, knowing that their fading title ambitions were hanging in the balance here, the Gunners certainly claimed what was an essential response at the Emirates.

Cutting Liverpool’s buffer to four points and dethroning Nottingham Forest in silver medal position, Arsenal will be desperate to use their quickfire turnaround on Wednesday night as a platform to build on.

Claiming north London bragging rights once again, the Gunners will face another stern challenge this weekend when they welcomed Champions League dreamers Aston Villa to the Emirates.

Tottenham’s Premier League struggles continue

While Tottenham might have clinched a shock EFL Cup advantage last week as they clinched a 1-0 victory against Liverpool, Spurs find themselves at the heart of a public Premier League crisis.

With sections of the travelling support once again making their frustrations heard at the final whistle, there appears to be some serious pressure on Ange Postecoglu’s shoulders.

Suffering what was an infamous collapse away at their arch-rivals here, Tottenham have now collected just a single point from any of their previous five Premier League appearances.

While the former Celtic boss might be dealing with a real injury crisis behind the scenes, Spurs are still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the table and end Wednesday’s trip across north London sat in 13th-place.

Recording just a sole Premier League win since their remarkable 4-0 romp away at Manchester City on November 23rd, Tottenham will be next seen over the weekend when they travel to Everton.

Defensive stability will be high on Arteta’s wishlist

While it might be no secret that Arsenal are actively seeking a new number nine this month, Arteta will know the importance of finding some crucial defensive steel.

Watching Spurs take a shock lead against the run of play here, the Gunners have struggled to find much stability at the back so far this season.

Although 18-year-old sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly might have enjoyed another impressive showing at left-back, Arsenal have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.

Likewise, Wednesday’s hosts have recorded come away unscathed in just one of their last seven outings over the past month.

With it looking like Kieran Tierney could be set for a return to Celtic this month and with Ben White still sidelined with a knee injury, Arteta could be tempted to add some defensive reinforcements before the January transfer window slams shut.

Match Report

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Sterling, Trossard, Havertz

Subs: Merino, Zinchenko, Martinelli, Tierney

Tottenham: Kinsky, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Bergvall, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

Subs: Richarlison, Maddison, Johnson

Goals: Arsenal: Solanke (40’ OG), Trossard (44’) – Tottenham: Son Heung-min (25’)

Yellow Cards: Arsenal: Havertz, Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel – Tottenham: Sarr

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Simon Hooper