Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal: Hits and Flops as Spurs claim bragging rights in North London Derby | Premier League 2020-21

Tottenham Hotspur inflicted a 2-0 defeat over local rivals Arsenal on Sunday
Tottenham Hotspur inflicted a 2-0 defeat over local rivals Arsenal on Sunday

#3 Hit: Son Heung-Min

Son opened the scoring with a superb long-range finish
Son opened the scoring with a superb long-range finish

Since his arrival from Germany, Son has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most potent attackers, using his electric pace and excellent shooting ability to great effect during his time with Spurs.

Under Jose Mourinho, the South Korean’s strike partnership with Harry Kane has hit new heights, with the duo having combined to breach the opposition defense on a number of occasions already this season.

The same partnership was in effect in this game as well, with Son opening the scoring in spectacular fashion early on before returning the favor for Kane to double his side’s lead just before half time.

Son was a threat for Arsenal throughout, showcasing his seemingly inexhaustible energy and spatial awareness by constantly running at the visitors’ defense from all angles, cleverly popping up on the wing and in the middle as he drew defenders this way and that.

#2 Flop: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang (L) was largely anonymous in attack for Arsenal
Aubameyang (L) was largely anonymous in attack for Arsenal

After being in the running for the Golden Boot last season, Aubameyang was handed a new contract by his side ahead of the current season, with a view to recreating his goalscoring heroics for a few more years to come.

Unfortunately for the Gunners, their talismanic attacker has struggled to find his shooting boots this season and once again looked far from threatening against Spurs.

Having had a run of games being played through the middle for Arsenal, Aubameyang was once again moved out to the left wing to accommodate Alexandre Lacazette, where he was well-marshaled by Serge Aurier throughout.

Even a change in formation that saw him move inside in the second half could not bring about a change in fortunes, with the Arsenal skipper struggling to get into goal scoring positions.

Like with Lacazette, Arsenal will be looking to Aubameyang to step up and provide goals in a much more consistent fashion if Arsenal are to oversee an improvement in what has been an underwhelming Premier League season thus far.

#1 Hit: Harry Kane

Kane bagged a goal and an assist in a memorable North London derby win
Kane bagged a goal and an assist in a memorable North London derby win

If there was ever any doubt remaining as to whether Harry Kane would go down as a bona fide Spurs legend, it was expelled in an excellent first-half display that saw him become the all-time leading goal scorer in North London derbies.

Having claimed the assist for Son’s opener, Kane scored on the stroke of half time to double his side’s lead, notching up his 11th goal against his side’s bitter London rivals, the 250th of his career, en route to helping Spurs register another impressive win.

In addition to the goal and the assist, Kane found enough time to show off his defensive capabilities as well, regularly popping up with clearing headers in his own box as Arsenal sent in a series of hopeful crosses in an effort to mount a comeback.

While all is going according to plan for Jose Mourinho’s men, the hope will be that both Son and Kane are able to avoid long-term injuries this season, something that the pair have been susceptible to in the past.

If Mourinho is able to call upon a fully fit Harry Kane throughout the season, there can be no denying that Spurs will be one of the biggest challengers for Liverpool’s Premier League crown this time around.

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Edited by S Chowdhury
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