In a pulsating North London derby, Arsenal came from behind to defeat arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. The vital victory closes the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to just four points, reigniting the Gunners’ title challenge. But while Mikel Arteta’s men showed great resolve, lingering doubts persist over their attacking prowess.
Arsenal Chip Away at Liverpool’s Lead
Liverpool’s surprise draw at Nottingham Forest a day earlier presented a golden opportunity for Arsenal to make up ground in the title race. And the Gunners seized it, albeit in nervy fashion. After Son Heung-Min’s deflected opener for Spurs, Arsenal equalized through a Dominic Solanke own goal before Leandro Trossard’s low drive on the stroke of halftime proved the winner.
The result turns up the heat on Liverpool ahead of their tricky trip to Brentford. With the Reds still holding a game in hand, the title race looks set for a thrilling finish. Arsenal’s self-belief may have wavered after recent cup exits, but this win will provide a much-needed shot in the arm.
Striker Doubts Persist for Gunners
Despite the crucial three points, Arsenal’s attacking play once again failed to fully convince. Arteta shuffled his forward line, handing a rare start to Raheem Sterling, but the on-loan Chelsea man struggled to impose himself. Kai Havertz also endured a frustrating night in front of goal.
Judgements should not be overly critical on a night where Arsenal showed spirit and fight to get themselves over the line, but their overall play in the final third did little to silence longstanding concerns that they may need to sign another player to bolster their forward line this month.
– James Olley, ESPN
Reliance on set-pieces has become a recurring theme for the Gunners – they have now scored four league goals from corners against Spurs since the start of last season, more than any other team has managed against a single opponent. While effective, it papers over cracks in open play.
Baptism of Fire for Spurs’ Kinsky
For Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, this North London derby debut was a true baptismo de fuego. The 21-year-old summer signing from Sparta Prague had Kai Havertz constantly pressuring his every touch, giving him little time to settle. While Kinsky ultimately kept Spurs in the game with some fine stops, he will have wanted to do better with Trossard’s winner.
- Kinsky has kept clean sheets in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup since joining Spurs
- But the intensity of a Premier League North London derby provided a sterner examination
It was a true welcome to English football for the Czech U21 international, but one that should stand him in good stead as he deputizes for the injured Guglielmo Vicario. Spurs look to have made a shrewd investment in Kinsky, even if this was a testing introduction.
Is Son Still Spurs’ Main Man?
In the dying embers of the match, as Spurs desperately sought an equalizer, it was jarring to see talisman Son Heung-Min watching on from the bench. Hooked on 78 minutes for Richarlison, it felt like a changing of the guard.
For so long, Son has been irreplaceable – a true Tottenham legend capable of turning a game in an instant. And while he opened the scoring here with his first league goal since mid-December, he saw little of the ball thereafter. Just 24 touches represented Son’s second-lowest total in a Premier League match this season.
Son’s substitution means he has completed just one Premier League match for Spurs in their last eight — on that occasion he played the full 90 as Tottenham fell 4-3 at home to Chelsea.
– Tom Hamilton, ESPN
His replacement Richarlison fared little better, struggling to make an impact from the left flank. At 31, are Son’s best days behind him? Premature perhaps, but food for thought for Ange Postecoglou.
Pressure Building on Postecoglou
An 11th league defeat of the season leaves Spurs languishing in 13th place, with only the three relegated-threatened sides having lost more games. Postecoglou’s injury-ravaged defense always looked vulnerable, but that can only excuse so much.
| LIVERPOOL | 48 points | 18 games |
| ARSENAL | 44 points | 19 games |
| NEWCASTLE | 38 points | 18 games |
Tottenham now finds themselves 14 points adrift of fifth place, which will likely be needed for Champions League qualification. More concerningly, they sit just 8 points above the drop zone. Cup competitions offer a welcome distraction and could yet save Postecoglou’s bacon, but patience will wear thin if league results don’t improve quickly.
For Arsenal, this was a pivotal victory in the context of their title aspirations. It keeps them firmly in the hunt, ready to pounce on any further Liverpool slip-ups. But question marks linger over their cutting edge and transfer window inactivity.
As for Spurs, a season that promised much is in danger of imploding. Injuries have bitten hard, but Postecoglou needs to find a way to stop the rot fast. The race for North London bragging rights may be over, but the battle for Champions League football and Premier League survival is only intensifying.
