Arsenal vs Tottenham: Arsenal Match report
The much-awaited first north London derby of the season saw quite a few changes to both sides. Arsenal had their reputed front-three starting for the first time. Unai Emery also dropped Dani Ceballos for Lucas Torreira and got Sead Kolasinac started ahead of the departed Nacho Monreal.
Emery employed a 4-3-3 formation with Alexandre Lacazette leading the line and Nicolas Pepe and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang providing support as inside forwards.
Arsenal flew off the blocks in the very first minute as Kolasinac set up Pepe, whose shot was off target.
The game was moving slowly but Spurs got an easy break in the 10th minute as Son had space to pass to Lamela, who took a shot. Eriksen got onto the rebound as Bernd Leno could not hold onto it. Spurs jumped to a 1-0 lead.
Arsenal looked dangerous on the left flank with Kolasinac constantly finding spaces. Spurs continued to look dangerous on the break as Son forced a fantastic save in the 18th minute from Leno.
Spurs continued to look comfortable and then had a penalty awarded in the 38th minute as Xhaka clumsily made a slide tackle on Son. Harry Kane obliged and Spurs moved up to 2-0.
The half was about to end but Lacazette had some brilliant touches in the box and banged one in from close-range to claw one back for the Gunners, making the score 2-1.
Matteo Guendouzi had the first clear chance in the 55th minute but Loris made a great save and that was followed by a chance from a set-piece for Kolasinac.
The game was at knives-edge and Kane hit the post shortly after. Arsenal got a goal back as 20-year-old Guendouzi played a sublime pass and Aubameyang put the finishing touches to make it 2-2 in the 71st minute.
Arsenal were the dominant side for the rest of the game but couldn’t get the winner while Spurs huffed and puffed on the counter. It was an enthralling game that ended 2-2.