In on the most riveting contest in the Premier League this season, the North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal ended in a 2-2 draw. The game was filled with goal mouth incident with the two team combining for 36 attempts on goal.
Arsenal were thrust into the lead when Aaron Ramsey cheekily finished off a move on the counter against the run of play. While Spurs huffed and puffed, they were not really able to clear cut chances until the 55th minute.
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The 55th minute saw the game turn on its head as Francis Coquelin received his marching orders from referee Mike Oliver for a rash tackle on Harry Kane that lead to the Arsenal midfielder’s second yellow. Spurs pounced before Arsenal could get to grips with the setback. Quick successive strike from Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane within the space of two minutes gave Spurs the upper hand within seven minutes of the sending off incident.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men, however, could not hang on to the lead as ten men Arsenal came roaring back as Alexis Sanchez scored in the 72nd minute to bring parity. A tense final twenty odd minutes saw both teams creating chances but none to drag the advantage home.
So who were the studs and who were the duds? Here is Sportskeeda’s take on each and every player.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris – (6/10)
Always an advantage playing with a sweeper keeper like him. Read the game well, but should have done much better for the second goal.
Kyle Walker – (6.5/10)
His pace caused some trouble down the right flank. Defensively, lacked consistency throughout the game.
Toby Alderweireld – (7/10)
Did his job at the back for the most part and most importantly brought Spurs back into the game with his equaliser.
Kevin Wimmer – (6.5/10)
Struggled at times to deal with the pace of Danny Welbeck, but didn’t make any costly errors. Would have however been disappointed to have let in two.
Danny Rose – (7.5/10)
One of the best players at the park today. Sparkled with his pace and energetic bursts forward. Could have a good chance of sneaking into the English team for the upcoming European championship.
Moussa Dembele – (7.5/10)
Silky smooth on the ball and firm on the tackle as always. His presence at heart of the action helped Tottenham dominate proceedings.
Eric Dier – (7/10)
Lucky not to get a second yellow. Otherwise, another steady display at the centre of midfield from the Englishman.
Delle Alli – (6/10)
The young English youngster had a rare off day as he failed to make a mark on the proceedings like he normally does. There will certainly be better days and better derbies for him.
Christian Eriksen – (6.5/10)
The Dane showed some classy touches, but was a bit clumsy in his passing game. Another Spurs players who never really got a grip on the proceedings.
Erik Lamela – (6.5/10)
Could have given the home side the lead when shinned a low cross fizzed in by Kyle Walker in the first half, but for a brilliant David Ospina reflex save. Looked bright but never quite the threat Pochettino would have hoped him to be.
Harry Kane – (8/10)
Looked bright all game. A spectacular goal from the Englishman looked to have sealed the deal for Spurs today at White Hart Lane. But, sadly it won’t all be him making the headlines on the Sunday newspapers thanks to Alexis Sanchez’s late hit.
Substitutes
Ryan Mason – (6/10)
Came on for Lamela in the 66th minute. Had a limited impact in the time he came on.
Ben Davies – (6.5/10)
Came on for Rose in the 77th minute. Didn’t really make much of a difference.
Son – (N/A)
Came in for Dembele in the 81st minute. Came in late to stretch the field against Arsenal’s ten. But never got enough opportunities to do so.
Arsenal
David Ospina – (8/10)
Proved more than a capable backup for the missing Petr Cech. Ospina was Arsenal’s best player on the park and kept Arsenal in the game with a couple of outstanding saves.
Hector Bellerin – (7/10)
Was worried by the ventures of Danny Rose down Arsenal’s right and was cautioned for a rough foul on the English left-back. His best moment came when he kept his composure and coolly passed it to Aaron Ramsey for the opener.
Per Mertesacker – (6/10)
Should have done a lot better to deny Harry Kane a shot for Spurs’ second. It won’t be long before he sees more time on the Arsenal bench than on the pitch.
Gabriel – (7/10)
A few awkward moments aside, the Brazilian showed a real zeal on a day it was was really required.
Kieran Gibbs – (7/10)
Dealt well with the threat of Kyle Walker’s pace down the Spurs right. Showed a big heart in the face of a lot of Spurs pressure.
Mohamed Elneny – (7.5/10)
Put in a real shift in his first Premier League start for the Gunners. Had to pull out every think he had left in his stock after the dismissal of Coquelin to help keep Spurs at bay.
Francis Coquelin – (3.5/10)
His red card was the turning point. Nearly gifted Spurs a victory. Certainly showed them the way in via a couple innocuous moments that he won’t be proud of.
Mesut Ozil – (5.5/10)
Didn’t have enough opportunities to get on the ball and dictate play. Sadly, a non-factor today.
Aaron Ramsey – (7/10)
A smart finish help Arsenal take the lead against the run of play. While his work rate was outstanding, he never really threatened down the right as he drifted in time and again.
Alexis Sanchez – (6.5/10)
Quiet for most of the game except for the moment when he pulled Arsenal back with his goal.
Danny Welbeck – (7/10)
Troubled the Spurs backline with his pace and was at time Arsenal’s only out ball. Kept his head up to find Hector Bellerin who helped create Arsenal’s opener.
Substitutes
Olivier Giroud – (6.5/10)
Came on for Elneny in the 74th minute. Brought on late to find an equaliser and he helped Arsene Wenger achieve just that.
Mathieu Flamini – (N/A)
Came on for Welbeck in the 83rd minute. Brought on late to help the Gunner shut up shop.
Joel Campbell – (N/A)
Came on for Ozil in the 89th minute. No time for making an impact for the Costa Rican.
