Arsenal vs Tottenham: 4 talking points from North London Derby win

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (C) celebrates with his players at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 14, 2021. - Arsenal won the game 2-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Need a Goalscorer

In terms of summer plans, a younger, stronger and faster version of Alexandre Lacazette wouldn’t go amiss. Y’know, with the ability to score, too.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the goalscorer in the side, but having been dropped for tardiness, the mantle was passed to the Frenchman. Unfortunately, he does not have the clinical edge needed to be a reliable No. 9 – he’s practically a No. 9 1/2 anyway.

Well documented is his penchant for dropping deep. In the first half, it’s almost as if someone needed to physically push him 20 yards up the pitch as he couldn’t resist the temptation to drift to the halfway line.

When he was in the box, his finishing let him down considerably. He chased and harried, as he always does since commitment is a stick he can never be beaten with, to no avail. Arsenal very nearly went into half-time losing, which would not have been acceptable.

It’s forgotten since he scored the winner from the spot – his penalty technique is a work of art – but he shanked that pass from Nicolas Pepe dreadfully and got away with the questionable penalty call.

Hats off to him for nerves of steel and another battling outing. However, the summer plans remain as they were.

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