I wrote about the near perfect game earlier in the season when referring to the Leeds home match and this was another one of those, ‘perfect apart from…’ games. What a game!
After the results on Saturday, Arsenal knew how huge this game was and you could tell from the off that they were keen to not let this opportunity to extend our lead at the top of the table slip. Declan Rice nearly opened the scoring in the third minute from a sumptuous Eberechi Eze dinked through ball, only for Vicario to save well.
After the opening 5-10 minutes, Tottenham began to impose their game plan a bit and make the game bitty and frustrating, while killing the atmosphere. Long pauses before taking throw-ins, set pieces, little fouls to break things up, basically anything to stop Arsenal’s momentum and to slow the game down. In fairness, it worked quite well, until it didn’t!
Mikel Merino found a dashing Leandro Trossard in the middle of the Tottenham box with a truly brilliant pass, that I honestly didn’t think he was capable of. Although the Belgian’s touch was a little behind him, Trossard swivelled brilliantly to poke the ball home via a deflection to sent the Emirates mental and to give Arsenal a deserved lead.
That lead was doubled just before half-time when Eberechi Eze took a couple of touches on the edge of the area to work himself a bit of space to stab home, again via a deflection, albeit a much smaller one than Trossard’s to double Arsenal’s lead.
Arsenal went in at the break with the game seemingly going their way and less than one minute into the second half, it swung even further in the Gunners’ direction as Eze helped himself to a second following a great ball in from Jurrien Timber. Eze took a few touches to steady himself before steering beyond Vicario with his left foot to put Arsenal into what looked like an unassailable 3-0 lead.
However, Tottenham were gifted a way back into the game as Martin Zubimendi lost the ball in a really poor area to leave Richarlison a free shot at goal from all of 40 yards. To his credit, the Brazilian finished superbly as a back-peddling David Raya could only grasp at air as the ball sailed over the line in what was Tottenham’s first shot of the entire match on 55 minutes.
At this point, personally, my nerves really kicked in as the thought of a second Tottenham goal was unbearable, given how dominant we had been, yet football can be unfair at times and this was now something that felt a lot more possible than it had a few minutes earlier.
Thankfully for The Gunners, Eberechi Eze wasn’t done. Following a free flowing Arsenal move involving great hold up play from Merino and fast footwork from Trossard, Eze had the chance to complete his hattrick and seal the points for Arsenal. The man for the big occasion made no mistake as he fired in powerfully with his right foot to take home the match ball on his first North London Derby and ensure that a big three points went to Arsenal.
That’s what you could have had Tottenham. That’s what you could have had.
David Raya – 6
Not a lot to do and although his positioning can be questioned on the goal, I still don’t think he did a lot wrong there. Distribution was good at times and he commanded his box well from set plays.
Jurrien Timber – 8
Outstanding again. Absolutely brilliant. Seems to find an extra leg when defending, as he manages to reach round and poke the ball away from the attacker nearly every time. Tottenham got no joy at all down his side and he was again, really impressive going the other way. Had a big hand in the second goal and assisted the third. His new found attacking prowess is absolutely huge when we try to break down stubborn defences like this.
William Saliba – 7
Steady away, if not spectacular. Had a few tussles with Richarlison over the 90 minutes and gave as good as he got each time. Stayed calm as well, which isn’t always easy when faced with the fiery Brazilian. Solid in possession and provided the team with a solid platform to build on, alongside Hincapie.
Piero Hincapie – 8
Very similar to Saliba’s performances, as he wasn’t massively troubled however, Hincapie gets an extra mark for coming into a game like this, having played very little so far this season, and performing impeccably. Aggressive in everything he did and was more dominant in the air than I was expecting. Seem to be taking in all of the celebrations at the end of the game. Could be a big player in Gabriel’s absence. Looked like cramp when he went off(I hope!).
Riccardo Calafiori – 8
Another excellent showing from the Italian. Strong, quick, decisive, hardworking. All of the usual characteristics we’ve been used to seeing from Calafiori were on show today as he shut down Tottenham’s right hand side and also move the ball intelligently at the other end and found space well.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
I was going to mark him down even further to a 6, as that mistake was really poor and completely predictable, yet Zubimendi was absolutely brilliant apart from that. Always moving, always probing, constantly breaking the lines. A big part in Arsenal dominating the game, which made it even more painful to see him play such a key role in the Richarlison goal. Hopefully he will learn from this moment and pop the ball off a bit quicker next time.
Declan Rice – 8
Sublime. On it from the word go. Pressed like a mad man. Gave the Tottenham midfield absolutely no room to breath. He was all over them the instant they got the ball. Played some nice passes forward as well and generally just bossed the game alongside Zubimendi. Helped himself to an assist for Eze’s first goal as well. Corners were uncharacteristically poor though, but thankfully, we didn’t need them! I love the way he just seems to get better and better as the game ticks on.
Eberechi Eze – 10 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
It Rice was sublime, I’m not sure what word to use for Eze. Let’s go, majestic. All eyes were on Eze pre-match, given his superb decision making in the transfer window to decline a move to Tottenham and come home to The Arsenal instead, and he didn’t disappoint those watching on. Split open the Tottenham defence early on to create a great chance for Rice, but his best was yet to come. Thrill brilliant finishes, including one on his so-called weaker left football left Tottenham absolutely shell shocked. Nearly helped himself to a fourth as well and his skills in stoppage time had The Emirates faithful on their feet asking for an encore. A truly virtuoso performance, one for the ages. So glad he’s ours.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Quietly brilliant on the right. Dangerous all game and although his teammates stole the limelight on the day, Saka’s influence was felt throughout. Constantly pushing back the Tottenham defence and kept the ball brilliantly at times. I liked how he watched on as Eze thumped home his hattrick goal right in front of him, without a hint of envy that Eze didn’t play him in, just pure joy when the ball hit the back of the net. Must be so nice for Saka to not carry the burden of the whole team’s attacking threat anymore.
Mikel Merino – 8
I must admit, I groaned when I saw him starting upfront again. That’s the last time I will be doing that! He was another who shone. Linkup play was brilliant all evening, displayed brilliantly by his part on Eze’s hattrick goal. Worked tirelessly all evening as well. This was his best game in an Arsenal shirt for me. The biggest compliment I can give him is that he in no way looked like a midfielder upfront. Really looked the part tonight. Viktor who? (Just kidding Gyokeres! 😊)
Leandro Trossard – 8
Another who possibly had his best game in an Arsenal shirt? Opened the scoring with a fortuitous shot yet take nothing away from Trossard, as his run was the real bit of class here. Kept the ball under immense pressure at times, worked hard, created space well, linked up with Rice and Calafiori to great affect on numerous occasions, helped himself to a sensational assist for Eze’s hattrick goal and was probably only outshone by the hattrick man himself. To Madueke and Martinelli…take his shirt, if you can!
Subs:
Noni Madueke – 7 So good to see him back. Madueke looked really hungry when he came on and made several dangerous runs off the ball and his frustration at not being picked out was there for all to see. I’m not usually a fan of that kind of reaction although in this case, it just came across as hungry to make an impact and I absolutely love that from our subs!
Ethan Nwaneri – 6 Pressed well and some nice touches here and there. The game was near enough over by the time he was introduced.
Cristhian Mosquera – 5 Competing well when he came on.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 5 Not on long enough to rate but nice to have both Myles and Ethan involved in a night like this.