Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal Vs Spurs: 5 things we learned – Mustafi madness

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

1. Definition of two points dropped

If I could think of a match to define the phrase ‘two points dropped’, this would be it. A one-goal lead entering the final quarter of the match. Holding the opposition at arm’s length fairly comfortably. And yet, the three points are unattainable.

Spurs’ goal came from nothing. Obviously, there was the offside, but the foolish incident came from a set piece. Kane slotted the penalty, as he always does, and the game completely changed fashion. Then Arsenal had a chance to snatch the victory for themselves, but Aubameyang first spurned the penalty, hitting a tame, central effort along the ground that Hugo Lloris easily saved, and then failed to convert the rebound after a superb Jan Vertonghen clearance.

And then, to add insult to injury, Lucas Torreira gets sent off for a lunging slide tackle that is a little high and will now miss next weekend’s critical match against Manchester United.

Next. Arsenal Vs Spurs: Player ratings. dark

A draw, objectively, is a good result. But how it came about is excruciating. Arsenal had a great chance to establish themselves as favourites in the top-four race. Sadly, they could not take it.