Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham: Player ratings as Gunners claim huge derby victory

Arsenal claimed local bragging rights on Saturday afternoon as they beat ten-man Tottenham 3-1 at the Emirates.

The Gunners began the contest on the front foot but the opening goal came through an unlikely source in Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian’s strike from the edge of the box was certainly fitting of the occasion.

Spurs quickly grew into the derby, however, and Arsenal looked vulnerable in transition. Eventually, the hosts were made to pay as Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot after the visitors broke in behind.

A Hugo Lloris error gifted Arsenal a second lead at the start of the second half as Gabriel Jesus poked home before an Emerson Royal red card tilted the contest entirely in the Gunners’ favour. The hosts smelt blood and they swiftly made Emerson pay by taking a 3-1 lead through Granit Xhaka, who fired home with conviction after some great work from Gabriel Martinelli to create the opening.

Antonio Conte rang the changes in a bid to establish some stability, but Spurs were never going to get back into the contest and Arsenal prevailed as 3-1 victors.

Here are the Gunners’ player ratings from their North London derby triumph.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6/10 – Made a brilliant save to deny Richarlison early on but wasn’t tested much thereafter despite Spurs having some good moments in the first half.

Ben White (RB) – 6.5/10 – Didn’t appear to be incredibly active defensively but he got on the overlap well on occasions.

William Saliba (CB) – 9/10 – Wow. Wow. Wow. What else is there to say?

Gabriel (CB) – 5.5/10 – Struggled against Kane in the first half and gave away the penalty. Improved once Spurs went down to ten.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 5.5/10 – Looked a little lost in the first half, and many supporters were clamouring for Kieran Tierney at half-time. Brightened up after the break but wasn’t hugely influential.

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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – 7.5/10 – Finally, a successful Thomas Partey strike from distance! That was some goal and the undoubted highlight of a fine display. He had such a tough job and was caught out on occasion, but, for the most part, he stuck to his task well and emanated calm in possession.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7.5/10 – The Renassaince man. Xhaka’s strike to give Arsenal a 3-1 lead will live long in the memory. It was a wonderful moment and the culmination of his U-turn at the club.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – 5.5/10 – A quiet day for Odegaard. He drifted in and out of the bout, producing a couple of tidy moments here and there, but his impact was minimal.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 8/10 – Arsenal tried to isolate Saka against Ivan Perisic as much as possible and the ploy paid dividends at the start of the second half. His threat was ominous throughout.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) – 8/10 – Jesus thoroughly enjoyed his maiden North London derby, and he was handed his goal on a plate by Lloris. The Brazilian dazzled at times and should’ve bagged a second before Spurs went down to ten.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 8/10 – It was Martinelli who changed the game by not doing very much. He was on the end of Emerson’s clumsy challenge that saw the Tottenham defender dismissed. He burst into life in the second half and was the driving force in Arsenal’s derby day victory.

Substitutes

Sambi Lokonga – 6/10

Kieran Tierney – 6.5/10

Fabio Vieira – 5/10

Eddie Nketiah – 5.5/10 

Takehiro Tomiyasu – N/A