Arsenal ran out with a comfortable 3-1 victory over North London rivals Tottenham. The Gunners took a 3-0 lead and never looked back. The Tottenham press was bad, Arsenal cut through it like a hot knife through butter. There was no better showcase for this than Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s goal. Tottenham pressed hard and high, but Arsenal played from Aaron Ramsdale to Emile Smith Rowe to Aubameyang for his goal in a scintillating football move. Son Heung-Min grabbed a consolation goal, but that was it.
Here are five things we learned from this exciting EPL encounter;
Nuno Espirito Santo has work to do
The Portuguese manager won the award for Premier League Manager of the month two weeks ago. Since then, Tottenham have lost to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Arsenal. They have conceded three goals in all these games to their London rivals. Not like the games that won him that award told the true story. Apart from the match against Manchester City, Tottenham have not been good under their new manager. The underlying numbers alluded to those wins being flukes but this game is a result business. Nuno has a lot of rebuilding to do. From the terrible pressing to their non-existent midfield to their porous defense. A lot of work.
The Hale End boys are brilliant
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe both scored one and made another in a fantastic all-around display. Both were electric and carved out the Tottenham defense at will. They looked dangerous in every attack and ran Tottenham ragged all game. All hail Hale End!
Son Heung-Min is either overly optimistic or very dumb
The South Korean is world-class on his day so, everyone was surprised when the 29-year-old signed another additional four-year deal to stay at Tottenham at the height of the drama at the club this summer. Even though he was defended well by Takehiro Tomiyasu, he still managed to get a goal. It makes you wonder why such talent continues to stay on this sinking ship. A man who has scored over 100 goals in about 285 appearances does not deserve to be on this team. He deserves trophies, but this side does not look like they have what it takes to win one. It is even more surprising considering the debacle with Harry Kane over the summer and how Daniel Levy refused to let him leave.
Takehiro Tomiyasu & Aaron Ramsdale have silenced their critics
After Son pulled one back for Spurs, they sparked into life. In the dying embers of the game, Lucas Moura fired a left-footed shot that took a wicked deflection and looped into the air. Ramsdale pulled off a remarkable save to keep it out. It was one of those show-reel stops goalkeepers love. The young Englishman has been brilliant since Mikel Arteta gave him his chance, and he continues to deliver. His footwork has also improved rapidly, as he allowed his side to play through Tottenham’s haphazard press. He is proving his doubters (including us) wrong. Ramsdale has been impeccable since ousting Bernd Leno.
Tomiyasu is another signing that has been magnificent for Arsenal. When he signed for the Gunners, Sky Sports presenter Kaveh Solhekol made jokes about how Tomiyasu’s agents were texting him to ask him if there was an English club interested in signing their client. He made jokes about how he is neither a right-back or a central defender. However, the Japanese man has been phenomenal since signing. He is the sort of player that Arsenal fans have been crying out for, a hard man. No one has dribbled past him so far according to Opta. He is relentless, buccaneering up and down the pitch to help his team anyhow he can. A monster.
Harry Kane is yet to get his head in the game
The Englishman made it public his desire to leave Tottenham and join Manchester City. Daniel Levy did not give him his move so, he tucked his tail between his legs and returned. However, with games coming thick and fast, Kane looks like he is still lost. He is usually a slow starter, but his performances have bordered on disinterest. Against Arsenal, he had only one touch in their box and he missed a glorious chance following a raking ball from the defense. Against Chelsea, his positioning was ponderous, and his work ethic was called into question. His tendency to drop into midfield was once cherished, but it has become quite irritating. You are the striker, stay in the box. He is drifting to uncanny positions and drifting away from the game. He needs a wobble right now to get his head in the game.
Here is some advice Kane, maybe don’t sign a six-year contract under Daniel Levy. Everyone knew Kane had to leave to win something except him, and when he finally did, he had penned a deal with the devil himself.
