Football news - Arsenal triumph in chaotic North London classic
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Updated 02/12/2018 at 18:38 GMT
Premier League, The Emirates - Arsenal 4 (Aubameyang 10' P, 56', Lacazette 75', Torreira 77') Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Dier 30', Kane 34' P)
Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (centre right) embraces Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal scored four to win a classic North London derby over Spurs, moving ahead of their rivals into fourth place.
Mesut Ozil was left out of the Gunners’ matchday squad due to a back injury, but Arsenal didn’t miss the German playmaker, storming into a lead after just 10 minutes when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tucked away a penalty following a Jan Vertonghen handball.
However, a crazy five minutes saw Spurs turn the derby on its head, first netting an equaliser through Eric Dier, who flicked home a header at the near post from a Christian Eriksen freekick. Minutes later, Heung-Min Son was brought down by Rob Holding, giving Harry Kane the chance to put his team ahead from the spot.
Unai Emery introduced Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette at the break, and that changed the dynamic of the context as Arsenal restored parity after 56 minutes, with Aubameyang lashing home a first-time finish from 20 yards.
With 15 minutes left, Ramsey then found his fellow substitute Lacazette, the Frenchman's shot deflecting off Dier on its way past Hugo Lloris to restore Arsenal's lead. Two minutes later Lucas Torreira capped off a memorable afternoon for Arsenal fans when he thundered his first goal for the Gunners past a helpless Lloris.
Tottenham's misery was compounded when Vertonghen was sent off for a second bookable offence following a late challenge on Lacazette. The result moves Arsenal ahead of their rivals and into fourth.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
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TALKING POINT - Unai Emery’s changes are transforming Arsenal
This was a game and a win that exorcised many ghosts of the last few seasons for Arsenal. This was the sort of performance their fans craved over the last few years of Arsene Wenger’s reign. Even when they trailed, Emery was bold enough to make changes to his team at the half time break. There was much scepticism of the Spaniard when he was appointed in the summer, but on this basis he’s exactly what Arsenal need.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Two goals and an assist. Aubameyang wasn’t just Arsenal’s main man in a binary sense, but in most other ways too. He was the one who set the tempo and intensity of the Gunners’ play from the very start, not giving the Spurs defence a moment to settle. Aubameyang is now the Premier League’s top scorer, with the highlight of the match his stunning finish for the equaliser. That moment changed the game. He is Arsenal’s best striker since Robin van Persie.
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Lucas Torreira of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Arsenal - Leno 5, Bellerin 5, Sokratis 6, Holding 5, Mustafi 7, Kolasinac 7, Xhaka 7, Iwobi 6, Torreira 8, Mkhitaryan 5, Aubameyang 9. Subs - Ramsey 8, Lacazette 8, Guendouzi 6.
Spurs - Lloris 5, Aurier 5, Vertonghen 4, Foyth 5, Davies 5, Dier 6, Alli 6, Sissoko 5, Eriksen 7, Son 8, Kane 7. Subs - Rose 5, Winks 5 Moura 5.
KEY MOMENTS
9’ PENALTY KICK TO ARSENAL! Dean spots a handball in the area from a freekick and points to the spot! It was Vertonghen!
10’ GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Spurs: First blood to the Gunners and they deserve it! Aubameyang steps up to the penalty spot and rolls a calm finish into the left-hand side of the net, with Lloris diving to the opposite side. Arsenal are on top and ahead!
30’ GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Spurs: An equaliser! It's Dier! He got ahead of his marker from the freekick from Eriksen and flicked a header at the near post towards goal! Leno couldn't keep it out and palms it up into the roof of the net! Might the keeper have done better?
33’ PENALTY KICK TO SPURS! Incredible! Holding dives in on Son and brings down the Spurs attacker. Dean points to the spot!
34’ GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Spurs: Having been battered for 20 minutes at the start of the match, Spurs are now ahead! Kane steps up to the penalty spot and sends Leno the wrong way. That was a confident finish from a man who always plays well in these games!
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Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates
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45+8’ Off the bar! Lloris might have had it covered, but Mustafi hits the crossbar with a looping header from a corner kick to the back post. Arsenal inches away from an equaliser. Wooft.
56’ GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Spurs: What an incredible finish! Bellerin feeds Ramsey, who made the run from deep. He turns the pass around the corner for Aubameyang and from 18 yards out he curls a first time shot into the corner of the Spurs net.
75’ GOAL! Arsenal 3-2 Spurs: Arsenal are back in front again! Lacazette finds the corner of the net from about 20 yards out! Lloris seemed to dive in slow motion, but Lacazette's effort was too far into the corner! It might have taken a deflection on its way through.
77’ GOAL! Arsenal 4-2 Spurs: It's FOUR! The Emirates Stadium has exploded in celebration! Arsenal have a two-goal cushion and what a finish it was from Torreira after being played through by Aubameyang! It was a tight angle, but he found the far corner of the net.
86’ SENT OFF! As if things couldn't get any worse for Spurs, now they have been reduced to 10 men. Vertonghen is shown a second yellow card for a bad tackle on Lacazette and he walks.
KEY STATS
- No player has scored more North London derby goals in the Premier League than Harry Kane (eight).
- Arsenal have converted each of their nine penalties won against Spurs in the Premier League era.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is now the top scorer in the Premier League this season with 10 goals.
- This was the first time in 10 years that Arsenal have come from behind to win a North London derby.
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