Full Time: Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
The power-shift talks in North London came to a halt as Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal managed to keep their 100% home record this season intact, against their fierce, local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with a 2-0 victory.
German playmaker Mesut Ozil came out with his A-game as goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez in quick succession gave the hosts a lead to take into half-time. Pochettino’s men had to find goals quickly which opened the game up in the second half but neither team found the back of the net in the second-half, giving Arsenal all three points, taking them to within a point of the visitors, in the PL points table.
Here’s how the Arsenal players fared in this game:
Petr Cech (7)
Had to make a couple of good saves and was up to the task everytime he was called upon, helping his side to a clean-sheet in this crunch clash.
Laurent Koscielny (8)
The skipper of the side, Koscielny, had a nervous two minutes to start the game but was all over Spurs’ attack, winning everything thrown at him and showing sheer dominance at the back.
Shkodran Mustafi (9)
Made a couple of goal-saving blocks, throwing himself around in the box after opening the scoring for his side at the other end, on a productive night for the German.
Nacho Monreal (7)
Monreal was often caught out by pace but managed to hold on to a commanding clean-sheet. Was not at his usual best.
Hector Bellerin (7)
Added enough width and pace to the attack for Arsenal but was at times caught out of position, exposing his flank all too frequently to his side’s liking.
Granit Xhaka (6.5)
A mixed afternoon for the Swiss international, who won back the ball with some crunching tackles but also lost possession, quite a few times, even in dangerous areas.
Aaron Ramsey (7)
Helped convert defence into attack quickly and had very little to do at the back, against a misfiring Spurs’ attack.
Sead Kolasinac (7)
Burst forward with every opportunity he got and was also solid at the back, doing enough to frustrate the visitors all game.
Mesut Ozil (9)
Was one of his best games in recent times. Ran the show from deep and created ample chances for Arsenal to blow Spurs away.
Alexis Sanchez (8)
The Chilean was at his usual self, making a nuisance of himself in the final third before finding the back of the net from close-range, just minutes after Mustafi gave the Gunners the lead.
Alexandre Lacazette (7)
Involved in almost every Arsenal attack and counter-attack as he was a constant threat to deal with for Spurs’ defenders.
Substitutes:
Francis Coquelin (6)
Came on to add some defensive cover and did well to help Arsenal pull the sting out of Spurs’ late surge, seeing his side to a victory.
Alex Iwobi (6)
The youngster came on too late in the game to have a real impact, yet, came close to scoring late in the game.
Here is how the fans reacted on social media:
Lacazette 👏🏼 what a run and cross. A striker’s cross is often better than you’d expect, as they appreciate where the ball needs to go. #afc
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) November 18, 2017
We went to war today! Great performance @Arsenal … and credit to Wenger #afc
— gooner4life (@Ibiza1806) November 18, 2017
What a day, class performance displaying there is no “shift” l – even more gassed now for 89 tomo night in cinema! COYG #89 #afc #gooner #NLD
— ThePlugAFC (@ThePlugAFC) November 18, 2017
Best performance since the FA Cup Final. Start all our best players in their position & we played well as a team. Left everything on the pitch, entertaining football, Kane & Alli pocketed. Mustafi & Özil were our heroes today. Great stuff. #afc
— SG (@chasingcarsg) November 18, 2017
Very happy with the win today, outclassed them in all areas. Players played for the shirt today, the same players Wenger has always picked, tells me the manager can’t always get the best out of this group. #NorthLondonDerby #AFC #WengerOut
— Fred (@NottsGooner) November 18, 2017
@LacazetteAlex welcome to the #NorthLondonDerby today you showed why you belong at #AFC in a big game you stepped up and produced a great shift, goals will come.. #Arsenal DNA let’s keep it going!
— Red (@The_Real_RED732) November 18, 2017
