Today Arsenal host Tottenham at the Emirates stadium in one of the most highly anticipated games of the Premier League season. Plenty of goals are almost guaranteed in a North London derby, and today will be no different with both sides pushing for European football next season.
Mikel Arteta has his whole squad to choose his starting line-up from, with no injury issues or suspensions concerning the Gunners. Meanwhile Jose Mourinho only has Giovani Lo Celso absent for this fixture due to a back issue. Mourinho also insists that Harry Kane will be available for selection despite concerns that the striker received an injury in Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday.
Emillia Hawkins takes you through all the action as it happens.
Line Ups:
Kick Off:
3′ Arsenal have an early free kick as Davinson Sanchez takes down Alexandre Lacazette around 30 yards out from goal. Martin Ødegaard steps up to take it and sends the ball into the box, but it is headed out by Sanchez.
9′ Tottenham create their first attack of the game as Matt Doherty finds Gareth Bale on the edge of the penalty area, Bale then does well to send a clever cross into the danger area with the outside of his left foot, but Bernd Leno comfortably claims it.
16′ Emile Smith-Rowe is inches from scoring his first Premier League goal as his shot from long range rattles off of the crossbar. The Gunners are looking very lively so far.
19′ Substitution for Tottenham as Erik Lamela comes on to replace Heung-Min Son, who looks to have received an injury to his hamstring following a run through on goal.
Embed from Getty Images23′ Thomas Partey has a shot from long range which flies wide of the goal. The gunners seem to be in control of the game so far, holding the majority of possession in Spurs’ half.
33′ GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM: Spurs take the lead as Erik Lamela completes an incredible rabona-style flick through the legs of Partey and into the bottom right corner.
Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
37′ Arsenal come agonisingly close to equalising as Smith-Rowe crosses the ball into Lacazette in the box, it runs past the striker and falls to the feet of Cedric Soares whose shot rattles off of the right post.
40′ Sergio Reguilon receives the first booking of the afternoon after taking down Bukayo Saka.
45′ GOAL FOR ARSENAL: Kieran Tierney does very well to break down the left side of the pitch, he sends a low cross into Ødegaard who hits it first time and the ball flies into the bottom right corner.
Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham
The two rivals go into the second half all-level following Lamela’s stunning trick shot and Ødegaard’s late equaliser. Arsenal have been by far the better team in this first half, limiting Spurs to only one shot. Jose Mourinho will certainly want Harry Kane and Gareth Bale to get more involved in the second half as the duo have hardly seen much of the ball. Mikel Arteta still has the threat of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the bench, who will be likely to be brought on to boost the gunners’ attack later in the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesSubstitution for Arsenal as Nicholas Pepe replaces Bukayo Saka.
Kick Off:
49′ Hugo Lloris clears the ball away but it heads straight into the direction for Kieran Tierney, who attempts to pass the ball first time through to Lacazette, however the striker is forced to leave the ball as he is offside.
56′ Lacazette has another chance on goal as Ødegaard sends the ball short to him on the edge of the penalty area. Lloris looks like he has claimed it at first but lets the ball out of his grip, however there is no Arsenal player to take advantage.
57′ Substitution for Tottenham as Gareth Bale is replaced by Moussa Sissoko.
62′ Substitution for Tottenham as Tanguy Ndombele makes way for Dele Alli.
64′ GOAL FOR ARSENAL: Lacazette wins a penalty as Sanchez clatters into him following a shot. The Arsenal striker steps up to take it and neatly passes the ball into the bottom right corner to put the Gunners ahead.
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal 2-1 Tottenham
68′ Hojberg looks to be on his final warning as he fouls Ødegaard outside of the Tottenham penalty area. Xhaka takes the kick but the spurs defence clear it away.
69′ Lamela is shown a yellow card following a late challenge on Partey. Frustrations are really starting to mount now for the Spurs players.
75′ Shortly after receiving a booking, Lamela has gone from hero to zero and is shown red after hitting Tierney in the face whilst on the ball. Jose Mourinho does not look happy.
Embed from Getty Images77′ Substitution for Arsenal as Emile Smith-Rowe is replace by Willian.
82′ This game is turning feisty as Xhaka takes down Lucas Moura and is shown a yellow card.
83′ Harry Kane puts the ball in the back of the net and Tottenham think they have equalised, but it is offside. This game is certainly not over yet.
88′ Substitution for Arsenal as Alexandre Lacazette is replaced by Mohamed Elneny. Arsenal are obviously looking to just sit back and attempt to hold their lead now.
90′ Tottenham almost equalise as Harry Kane sends a free kick towards goal, the ball ricochets off of the post and falls to Sanchez who shoots, however Gabriel Maghales makes an excellent block to keep the Gunners ahead.
Embed from Getty Images90′ The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of additional time.
94′ Kane has another free kick just outside of Arsenal’s penalty area, he shoots but his effort flies over the crossbar.
Full Time: Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham
The Gunners manage to come from behind in a North London derby that was thrilling until the very end. Erik Lamela’s exceptional opener was soon cancelled out by Martin Ødegaard’s effort late in the first half, but it was Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty that has sealed a much needed three points for Arsenal.
