Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham: Key Talking Points As The Gunners Land North London Bragging Rights

Smelling what was a golden chance to lay down a real marker on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal stormed their way to north London bragging rights with a rampant display at the Emirates.

Backed by a vocal home support, the Gunners enjoyed a remarkable free-scoring start to this weekend’s derby showdown as they headed down the tunnel with a deserved 3-0 lead at half-time.

Putting in what was arguably a season-best display on home soil, Sunday’s hosts also managed to extend on what has become a real September purple patch.

Extending on their rampant home record against their bitter local rivals, we have taken a look at all the major talking points as Arsenal breezed past Tottenham.

The Gunners’ September purple patch

Opening Sunday’s derby showdown with the mood in their camp at a real high, Arsenal almost looked a new side as they came flying out the traps with what was a rampant display at the Emirates.

Extending on their EFL Cup run earlier in the week with a 3-0 win against AFC Wimbledon on home soil, Head Coach Mikel Arteta finds his side riding a real wave since returning from the international break.

Skyrocketing their way up the table, the Gunners didn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock as Emile Smith Rowe tapped past Hugo Lloris with just 12 minutes on the clock.

With both Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wrapping up what was a stellar first-half display, there is no doubt that the Gunners will now have their sights set on landing a European return this season.

With Sunday’s 3-0 win highlighting their recent resurge, Arsenal will be next seen in six days when they travel to the Amex and face off against Brighton.

A high point for Arteta

Opening the 2021/22 campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat away at Premier League debutants Brentford last month, it was no secret that Arsenal found themselves in the midst of an early-season nightmare.

However, marking their return from September’s international break enjoying a remarkable resurge, Arteta certainly deserves plenty of praise for what will be remembered as one of his best days.

Coming under real scrutiny over the past 12 months and with many around north London calling on the Spaniard to be given his marching orders, Arteta was filled with praise for his side’s brave display on Sunday.

Pressing Spurs from the opening whistle and immediately setting the tone, Arsenal’s youthful side were simply too much for their bitter rivals and their boss would have been excited by the displays of both Smith Rowe and Saka.

Watching both of his young English stars get themselves on the scoresheet, a second goal in his last three outings for Aubameyang wrapped up what was a stellar afternoon for Arteta and Arsenal.

Dreadful Tottenham

Opening the new season with three 1-0 wins on the bounce, including a gritty victory against defending champions Manchester City on the opening weekend, Tottenham have really come crashing back down to earth after what has become a September nightmare.

Marking their return from the international break with back-to-back 3-0 drummings at the hands of Crystal Palace and Chelsea, new boss Nuno Espírito Santo would have been desperate for his side to find a much-needed boost as they traveled across north London on Sunday.

However, hugely outplayed throughout the whole of the first-half, Spurs put in what will likely be billed as a season-worst display as they saw Arsenal breeze past them with relative ease. Electing to play a more direct approach and with over 30% of their first-half passes going long, there is no doubt that the former Wolves boss got his tactics drastically wrong.

While Son Heung-min might have breathed some life into what would have been a famous comeback as he bagged a consolation goal with 10 minutes left, it is hard to argue that Tottenham deserved anything from what was a dreadful display at the Emirates.

Issues at both ends for Spurs

Heading down the Emirates tunnel on Sunday afternoon chasing a 3-0 deficit at half-time, fans around the white half of north London will be more than aware that their side have only shown a host of issues at both ends of the pitch on their September nightmare.

Watching the likes of Saka and Smith Rowe carve them open from the first whistle, Spurs have now conceded a trio of strikes in each of their last three Premier League contests, their worst run since 2003.

Struggling to show any real signs of improving under Nuno, many Tottenham fans will still be wondering how £50million summer arrival Cristian Romero still can’t get a game at the heart of their defence.

Along with those defensive issues, Spurs must find a way to get Harry Kane firing after he once again cut a frustrated figure at the Emirates.

Failing to lay a glove on Arsenal’s young defensive partnership, the England skipper is still waiting for his first Premier League goal and his form will be a real worry to Nuno.

Match Report:

Arsenal: Ramsdale (8), Tomiyasu (8), White (7.5), Gabriel (7.5), Tierney (7.5), Partey (8), Xhaka (8), Smith Rowe (8.5), Saka (9), Odegaard (7.5), Aubameyang (8)

Subs: Lokonga (7), Maitland-Niles (N/A), Tavares (N/A)

Tottenham: Loris (3), Tanganga (2), Sanchez (2.5), Dier (2.5), Reguilón (2.5), Ndombele (3), Højbjerg (3.5), Alli (1), Son (5), Kane (2), Lucas (5)

Subs: Skipp (6), Gil (6), Emerson (6)

Goals: Arsenal: Smith Rowe 12′, Aubameyang 27′, Saka 34′ – Tottenham: Son 79′

Yellow Cards: Skipp

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Craig Pawson