Pain in the Arsenal
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Tottenham vs Arsenal Player Ratings: Derby Dejection

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Alexandre Lacazette and team mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal look dejected after conceding their sides second goal scored by Harry Kane (Not pictured) of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 06, 2020 in London, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Alexandre Lacazette and team mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal look dejected after conceding their sides second goal scored by Harry Kane (Not pictured) of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 06, 2020 in London, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Alexandre Lacazette and team mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday evening.

Sitting 15th in the Premier League table heading into the first North London Derby of the season, form strongly suggested that the home side would grab the spoils. Arsenal, on the other hand, had won just one of their last six league matches and were in dire straits.

Starting off seeing plenty of the ball, hopes were up that a positive result could be secured, however, in classic Jose Mourinho style, Tottenham’s sit back, soak up and hit on the break style brought with it the first goal.

It was poor defending, but nothing could be done about Heung-min Son’s long-range curler. Arsenal pushed for a route back into the game without testing Hugo Lloris, and when the ascendancy, Thomas Partey was forced off through injury and Spurs broke again. And scored again.

A vastly improved second half display saw Arsenal utterly dominate proceedings but lack the quality needed to put away the chances created. (Half) chances were made, but poor finishing and predictability meant they never looked like firing themselves back into the game.

Another day another loss.

Arsenal
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Could do nothing about either goal and whatever saves he made he did well with.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 3/10 – Found some good positions in forward areas but his defensive positioning was desperately poor, and how can you excuse one foul throw-in let alone five in one season? It was a very, very poor day for Hector Bellerin.

Rob Holding (CB) – 4/10 – Dreadful for the opening goal where he granted Son the freedom of north London to  make room for a shot. You can’t be too tight for fear of being beaten, but you can’t offer so much room that you’re not even in a place to block the shot.

Gabriel (CB) – 5/10 – Played some neat balls down the left, particularly in the first half, but was left out to dry one counter-attacks with Arsenal looking so vulnerable whenever they lost the ball.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – Our best player on the day. Whipped in some superb crosses, charged his way up and down the left flank and demonstrated the right and desire you’d want to see in such a fixture.

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