Arsenal dominated Tottenham in the North London Derby, scoring three goals in a magnificent first-half performance before managing the second to ultimately run out 3-1 winners.
Mikel Arteta’s team were rewarded for their positive start, opening the scoring in the 12th minute through Emile Smith Rowe, the England U21 international finding space inside the Tottenham penalty area and stroking home from Bukayo Saka’s cross.
Smith Rowe then turned provider after a flowing counter-attack, the midfielder cutting back for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to fire past Lloris into the far corner. It wasn’t the cleanest contact from the Gabonese forward, but he won’t care, that goal his fourth in seven North London derbies.
It was 3-0 just six minutes later, Arsenal again countering after Tottenham forward Harry Kane gave the ball away, Saka finishing off with his right foot after the ball ricocheted to him inside the box following Kane’s attempted tackle.
It was no more than the Gunners deserved for their first-half showing, always on the front foot and playing forwards at every opportunity.
Tottenham, meanwhile, were all over the place. A yard off their opponents, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team didn’t know whether to press or sit deep. In the end, they did neither, also being toothless going forwards as they struggled to break Arsenal down.
Spurs improved in the second-half as Arsenal sat back, Kane forcing Aaron Ramsdale into a save just after the hour mark before seeing his dink over the Arsenal goalkeeper bounce wide two minutes later.
They did eventually pull one goal back through Son Heung-Min, Ramsdale getting a hand to the South Korean’s effort but being unable to keep it out after good work by substitute Bryan Gil.
Ramsdale kept out Lucas Moura’s deflected strike in injury time though, the 23-year-old tipping the ball onto the crossbar as the game finished 3-1.
The result takes Arsenal above Tottenham on goal difference, Mikel Arteta’s side also moving into the top half of the table in 10th. After being the only club to have won their opening three Premier League games, Spurs are now one place below their biggest rivals in 11th.
Arsenal showing signs of improvement under Arteta
After losing their first three Premier League fixtures – including an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium – Arsenal have now won three on the bounce.
It is a great turnaround for Mikel Arteta’s team, their improved form on full show in the North London sunshine.
They were at Tottenham from the first whistle, dominating the ball and pressing high until Smith Rowe opened the scoring, turning home after Saka had created a yard on Sergio Reguilon.
Thereafter, they were happy to sit behind the ball and counter, understanding Tottenham’s difficulties at breaking teams down.
It proved an effective tactic, their second goal a beautiful move. Starting with a risky pass from Ramsdale, Xhaka held off midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to beat the Tottenham press. Within four passes, Smith Rowe was bursting into the Tottenham box, the 21-year-old having the awareness to pull back for Aubameyang to turn home.
After scoring their third from another counter, the Gunners were happy to protect their lead in the second half, their new look backline demonstrating the resolute side to this Arsenal team.
Obviously, there is still a long way to go for Arteta to get Arsenal back to a top four level. But after being in supposed crisis a little over three weeks ago, it has been a positive turnaround for the Spaniard.
Kane’s struggles continue as Spurs concede three again
Tottenham, on the other hand, have had a reverse in fortunes.
Their perfect start now seems an age ago, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team losing their last three league games and conceding that same number in each.
They had plenty of talent out on the Emirates pitch but looked disorganised and disjointed, their performance epitomised by another poor showing from Harry Kane.
Just as he did last week against Chelsea, the England international looked disinterested at times, being outjumped by Ben White 12 minutes in as that turnover in possession led to Arsenal’s opening goal.
He also lacked quality in his play and conviction in his finishing, stumbling over the ball for Arsenal’s third before spurning a free header in the first half and missing the target when one-on-one with Ramsdale in the second.
The positive for him is that he was getting into those positions and having chances, something that wasn’t happening for the 28-year-old in Tottenham’s defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
Without a league goal this season, however, the striker still seems to be feeling the effects of his failed move to Manchester City.
He is also just one part of a wider puzzle that new boss Nuno Espirito Santo will have to figure out, the Portuguese seemingly already under pressure after another disappointing performance.
