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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.
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.
Midfielders
Granit Xhaka (CM) – 3/10 – Negative, slow and offering little in the way of protection, Granit Xhaka did exactly what many expected Granit Xhaka to do. Lethargic on and off the ball, there was nothing going. He is not at the standard required.
Alexandre Lacazette (AM) – 5/10 – Battled and fought with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg all game and played a couple of decent passes, but he struggled with the physicality as he doesn’t boast the agility to weave around challenges. Needed to show more desire for a chance shortly after the break. Moved further up after the break and was more threatening. Just lacking quality.
Thomas Partey (CM) – 6/10 – Was all over the pitch in the first half, shielding the back four and looking to drive forward in possession. Was clearly rusty as seen with a few loose passes. As seen, however, he shouldn’t have played. How long will he be out out?
Forwards
Willian (RW) – 3/10 – With each passing week we question what it is exactly that Willian offers, and with each passing week that answer becomes ever more elusive. Even if this is ‘his’ fixture, he isn’t providing this team anything.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 3/10 – Got into some decent positions, more so than most of the season, but didn’t look clinical enough. It’s always tough to get touches in the box against a Mourinho side, but despite showing willingness to run, when the chances came he wasn’t sharp.
Bukayo Saka (LW) – 6/10 – When moved into central areas he offered Arsenal much more of a threat, as his movement and agility is ten-fold more than Alexandre Lacazette’s. Still, when he had the ball he had two or three men on him.
Substitutes
Dani Ceballos – 6/10 – Came on and moved the ball around with more pace and zip, aiding to a decent start after the break. With Spurs’ shape it granted him that freedom, but he did show willingness to keep the side ticking over.
Eddie Nketiah – 5/10 – Came on and got himself about, but it’s always tough to make a difference when you come on at 2-0 down against a low-block.