Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham: Is Giroud the Man for Arsenal? Five Talking Points From the Game

The North London derby was the biggest game of the weekend and it did not disappoint, both teams went for the win and it was Tottenham who started the brightest. Spurs rarely have Arsenal any breathing room in the first half and were duly rewarded with a goal thanks to some lapse defending and Harry Kane running onto a high through ball, before he calmly slotted it past Petr Cech.

Arsenal looked tired and a second half substitute, Kieran Gibbs scored the all-important goal to draw things level. Both teams tried to get the winner but couldn’t, the draw kept Arsenal in the hunt for the title after Manchester City’s draw earlier while Tottenham keep their unbeaten run going. We look back to yet another entertaining derby and provide the five talking points.

The Harry-Kane is back

Harry Kane now has six goals in as many games, starting the season with a bit of a rough patch, he was at his best against Arsenal and scored Tottenham’s only goal of the game. Kane was playing like the Kane of last season and that will only bode well for Tottenham. They also brought another attacker, Son, in the second half which should help Spurs score a few more goals going ahead in the season.

Tottenham took the game to Arsenal

Tottenham didn’t come to the Emirates looking for the draw; well at least in the first half they were brilliant. They pressurised Arsenal throughout and barely let them have a kick in the first half. Arsenal did recover in the second half, but Mauricio Pochettino deserves credit for making Tottenham so tough to beat. Tottenham deserved at least a point from this game and seem set to finish high in the table, could they beat Chelsea and Liverpool for that fourth Champions League spot? It certainly seems so at the moment.

Too many players went missing for the Gunners

Arsenal had a rather taxing time at Munich and that could be the reason why they were extremely lethargic in the first half. Tottenham were good, but Arsenal were poor as well. The Gunners have a lot of players missing due to injury and Arsene not being able to rotate his squad is a problem. Hopefully, some players will return soon for the Gunners.

Arsenal ramp it up in the second half

The Gunners were a completely different side in the second half, the hunger and desire was back for the Gunners and a second half substitute got them the goal they deserved. Arsenal might have been lucky not to concede more goals in the first half, but their second half showing proved that they can get things done when the chips are down on them. Arsenal should heed this performance for other games, they will not be so lucky to end up with a point if they play many games in this manner.

Giroud was a problem once again

While Diego Costa seems to have taken up the Rambo approach to dealing with defenders in the Premier League, Olivier Giroud was doing his best Diego Costa impression for Arsenal. He was involved in many useless skirmishes with the Tottenham defence and that would have been forgiven had he actually scored from the numerous chances presented to him. Giroud was at his frustrating best and again, his finishing will be questioned, especially when things don’t go his way.