Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham: North London Derby defeat

Arsenal fell to defeat away at Tottenham in the final pre-season fixture of the summer as Heung-min Son’s second half goal ensured the Mind Series and North London Derby spoils went to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Mikel Arteta opted to make changes from the defeat to Chelsea, some enforced, with Ben White earning his first start in an Arsenal shirt since making his £50m move from Brighton. Bukayo Saka was also fit for the bench and there was no room in the squad for Willian or Joe Willock.

In midfield there was also a start for Albert Sambi Lokonga, who partnered Granit Xhaka, a pairing that most supporters hope to be the one that kicks off the Premier League season away at Brentford on Friday.

The hosts started the stronger of the teams and forced a few nervous moments in the Arsenal backline. Bellerin looked out of position with Mari and a few alarm bells began ringing, only for the visitors to settle themselves and take control of the game.

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Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham as Heung-min Son goal seals 1-0 Mind Series win for Spurs that spells North London Derby defeat for Gunners

Alexandre Lacazette came closest to breaking the deadlock when his fierce effort from outside the box beat Hugo Lloris, but not the woodwork. The best chance, however, fell to Dele Alli when he somehow spurned a huge opportunity from near the six-yard box, one he also struck against the post.

Arsenal’s control of the first half did not transfer over into the second period in what was a distinctly less organised and messy affair. Tottenham almost punished the Gunners with 30 minutes to go when Alli once again struck the post, only this time from Davinson Sanchez’s knock on.

Changing shape into a back three saw Arsenal gain more control on proceedings with Saka coming on to add some energy on the left, although there were no clear cut chances as a result.

However, it was Tottenham who took the lead as some calamitous defending from Mari – who was bizarrely trying to play offside – resulted in Heung-min Son firing past Bernd Leno inside the box. Smith Rowe came close late on but Son’s goal ensured back-to-back defeats to London rivals.

Not ideal. It may be pre-season but losing to Tottenham is not easily forgotten.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 7/10 – Made a fine save in the first half which resulted in a hearts in mouth moment as he stayed down, but it turned out only to be winding.

Looked fairly solid, which comes with the caveat of not being tested too much. Passing was decent.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 5/10 – A couple of very dodgy moments in the opening few minutes but started to settle himself more as the match wore on.

Some of his positioning when Spurs were in the Arsenal third was suspect and got caught out over the top too often. He needs to a fresh start this summer.

Ben White (CB) – 8/10 – It all looked rather easy for White on his first Arsenal start. Aerially he was well positioned, out of the ball he ushered opposition runners into the right zones and on the ball he showed a few of his trademark carries to the halfway line.

More of that, please. If we’re looking for a supremely premature takeaway then it is that £50m was a bargain.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 4/10 – Some undesirable positioning when Spurs were in and around the Arsenal penalty box. As seen against Chelsea, he also struggles with the high line Arsenal adopt, getting caught in behind and mistiming his pressing too often.

Baffling defending for Spurs’ goal. Need Gabriel back.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – Had the beating of his marker on a few occasions and whipped in a couple of tasty deliveries but the combination play with Aubameyang wasn’t as effective as hoped and works better in situations where Arsenal see less of the ball.

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 7/10 – Sambi not only put in his best display in pre-season so far but also rubber-stamped his place in the starting lineup against Brentford.

Boasting a delightful first touch, his decision-making when receiving the ball is as clean as his distribution. There were some lovely passages of play from the Belgian who can first-time pass with either foot calmly and effectively. A very shrewd piece of business but tired as the game wore on.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 6/10 – Not much wrong from the Swiss who interestingly was given more freedom to push forward than his midfield partner.

Arteta seemed content having Sambi use his deep progressive passing to effect and his allowed Xhaka to play on the angle and try to keep possession ticking over.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 7/10 – Started slowly but grew into the game and eventually was spinning players left, right and centre. Kept drifting out into wide zones as he loves so much to link up with Pepe and there were a few neat moves on that right flank to open up opportunities.

Arsenal Forwards Ratings

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 6/10 – When Pepe had the ball he looked dangerous, going both inside and outside his marker and cutting in a few deliveries that on another day could have resulted in goals.

The issue was he didn’t see much of the ball. Barely getting a touch in the opening 15 minutes, the Ivorian began easing himself into play and becoming more involved in the final third.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 7/10 – Led the line well and were it not for a lick of paint would have put Arsenal in front.

He does like playing Spurs, doesn’t he? Linked the play well and was the one willing to have a pop at goal when the opportunity arose.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (LW) – 4/10 – Aubameyang not work out on the left. It has done in the past and was extremely effective, but now he’s older and Arsenal are transitioning into a more possession-based team it’s a ploy that offers precious little to the side in build up or penalty box threat. In general, however, he was poor.

The captain should not be taking his man on one-v-one near the corner flag and whipping balls in. His dynamic with Lacazette doesn’t work either and the breakaway moves where Tierney woudl feed him down the line aren’t on as much due to the Scot being thrust further forward and Xhaka covering the left-back zone.

In fairness, looking at the bench, there weren’t many other options available.

Arsenal Substitute Ratings

Bukayo Saka – 7/10 – Lively in the sense that you wouldn’t have even known it was his first outing of pre-season. Some clean passes out to Tierney after coming on and a few neat touches.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6/10 – Came in to play right-back/wing-back and didn’t do an awful lot wrong with him staying deeper to provide pace in the case of any Spurs turnovers as Saka pushed up on the other flank.

Calum Chambers – 6/10 – Sat deepest in a back three as Arteta changed shape with the substitutions. Didn’t do anything wrong.

Folarin Balogun – 5/10 – Came on at the same time as Elneny but barely saw any of the ball. Ran plenty, though.

Mohamed Elneny – 5/10 – Couple of loose passes and got caught flat footed once or twice.

Nuno Tavares – N/A

Cedric Soares – N/A

Reiss Nelson – N/A