Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham: Four things we learned
|Arsenal beat Tottenham at The Emirates today in a North London derby- where they were considered underdogs for the first time in decades. Arsenal needed to win this one and they nailed it. Wenger’s boys made it very clear that they belong to the big league and should not be written off.
Here’s what we took away from the game.
This game can turn our season around
I felt it when Ozil was coming off. The way the fans were applauding their star man is what a club should see week in and week out. Easy fixtures coming up, beating a big team, players returning from injury- this game has all the ingredients of becoming one that we will look back on after a few months.
Mustafi and Koscielny are unplayable on their day
Arsenal’s game was not perfect here but the defending was solid. Monreal and Kolasinac were consistent as ever but the two big rocks at the back stole the show.
Mustafi’s goal aside, the duo destoyed Delle Ali and Harry Kane today. Koscielny made clearance after clearance and went in on Kane on many occasions to deny the Englishman anything more than a half chance- that is where Arsenal won the game. Every single defender deserved a clean sheet and they got it. Mustafi did his best to block every single attempt at a shot or through ball. Truth be told, he has stood up for Arsenal in big games this season.
Wenger needs to keep starting AOL
Alexis, Ozil and Lacazette is the new trio in town and they are taking care of the goalscoring burden. The trio dazzled the likes of Jan Vertonghen and after Arsenal took the lead, Spurs were hesitant to go all out because of Lacazette’s speed.
Alexis got a goal and an assist. Lacazette got an assist and Ozil was instrumental throughout- the German was seen backtracking on numerous occasions. Arsenal must try to hold on to Alexis and Ozil at all costs.
Ramsey was brilliant
This is something you need to look out for to understand. An N’Golo Kante-ish performance from the Welshman showed what he can do. Arsenal are a massive force when Ramsey is on top of his game. We saw that in the 2015-16 season and we want to see it again. The Welsh midfielder ran his socks off as he kept chasing the ball like a madman. Ramsey was not at his clinical or creative best but he did exactly what he needed to do and kept doing it tirelessly for 96 minutes.