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Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sparks comeback

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Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham: Emery hails 'important' derby win

Arsenal produced a relentless attacking performance to overpower Tottenham and deservedly win a pulsating north London derby at Emirates Stadium.

Unai Emery's side extended their unbeaten run to 19 matches ,moving above Spurs into the top four, with a display that reflected the outstanding work the Spaniard has done since succeeding Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal's fast start drew early reward when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put them ahead from the spot after Jan Vertonghen's handball.

Yet Spurs, against the run of play, were ahead before the break. Eric Dier glanced home Christian Eriksen's free-kick to equalise, sparking a melee involving players from both sides with his celebrations in front of Arsenal's fans, before Harry Kane scored from the spot after Rob Holding was penalised for a challenge on Son Heung-min.

Emery introduced Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey at the start of the second half to dramatic effect.

The Welshman set up Aubameyang's magnificent finish and the France striker's deflected shot beat goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from the edge of the area to put Arsenal ahead with 16 minutes left.

The outstanding Lucas Torreira ran clear to wrap up Arsenal's win and Spurs' misery was complete when Vertonghen was sent off for a foul on Lacazette.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores Arsenal's second goal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the first player to reach 10 goals in the Premier League this season

Arsenal revival gathers pace

The manner in which Arsenal pressed and powered Spurs into submission here was remarkable but further evidence of their transformation under Emery.

The former Sevilla and Paris St-Germain manager has galvanised the club on and off the pitch after the stale end to the Wenger era. He was a constant blur of movement in his technical area almost guiding every move by hand.

Emery has, crucially, made an instant connection with Arsenal's fans, regularly urging them to turn up the volume at moments when the stadium threatened to go quiet.

Arsenal simply refused to give an inch to Spurs and Emery was bold when Spurs led at half-time, sending on Lacazette and Ramsey.

His side had not played well in the first half, but the changes gave them a turbo-charge.

It was said the true test of Emery's work would come when they faced their closest rivals. This was an examination they passed with flying colours.

Spurs overpowered in their own style

Spurs and manager Mauricio Pochettino have made their name with the intensity of their attacking, pressing style backed up by obvious quality.

Here, however, they had all their own strengths turned back on them by Arsenal and almost seemed in a daze as they were swept aside in the latter stages.

Arsenal had Spurs in trouble instantly and barely let go, even when Dier and Kane somehow had the visitors going in at the interval ahead.

Spurs could not create in attack, were impotent in midfield and vulnerable at the back where Vertonghen's uncomfortable afternoon saw him concede a penalty and receive a red card - while youngster Juan Foyth was punished for giving the ball away when Lacazette putting Arsenal in front.

They now lie outside the top four but will surely come again. Here, however, they were comprehensively outplayed.

Arsenal and Tottenham players clash
Players from both sides, including some of those on the bench, clashed on the touchline as Tottenham celebrated their equaliser. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino ran down the touchline to try to defuse the situation

Torreira every inch a bargain

Torreira confirmed his status as a new Arsenal hero when he advanced into the penalty area to drill in his first goal for the club and secure this outstanding victory.

The Uruguay international, a £26m buy from Sampdoria in July, celebrated his goal by throwing off his shirt in front of exultant Arsenal fans.

He is tenacious and fierce in the tackle but brings so much more with his game. He has silk as well as steel, refusing to flinch from the physical exchanges here, yet always willing to create.

Torreira may not have been the most expensive piece of business conducted in the summer market but he looks one of the smartest.

Man of the match - Lucas Torreira (Arsenal)

Lucas Torreira of Arsenal
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira won possession back for his team 12 times against Spurs - more than any other player on the pitch

'Small details turned the game'

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino:

"I think the game was even and we were managing the game well until 2-2.

"We were unlucky in how we conceded the third goal and after that it was tough. Then we conceded quick and the sending off of Jan Vertonghen ended it.

"I was disappointed with the goals we conceded. Of course Arsenal deserve credit but we made many mistakes.

"In these type of games, the small details can turn the game to one side or the other."

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Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham: Spurs 'pay' for tough week says Pochettino

Arsenal show new-found resilience - key stats

  • The last time Arsenal won a north London derby in the Premier League after trailing at half time was in September 2007 - a 3-1 victory.
  • They have scored more second-half goals than any other side in the Premier League this season (24).
  • If Premier League matches finished at half-time this season, Arsenal would be 19th in the table.
  • Arsenal have found the net at least once in each of their past 23 home games against Spurs in all competitions, since a goalless draw in November 1998.
  • Tottenham have dropped more points from winning positions in Premier League games against Arsenal than any side has against another in the competition (40).
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the first player to score with 10 consecutive shots on target in the Premier League since Blackburn's Benni McCarthy in October 2007.
  • Since his debut in the Premier League in February, only Mohamed Salah (20) has scored as many goals in the competition as Aubameyang (20).
  • No player has scored more Premier League north London derby goals than Harry Kane, was had eight - putting him level with Emmanuel Adebayor.

What's next?

A two-day break and then back to Premier League action on Wednesday.

Arsenal face another game against +fierce rivals when they visit Manchester United at 20:00 GMT, while Tottenham host struggling Southampton at Wembley at the same time.

Line-ups

Arsenal

  • 19Leno
  • 20MustafiBooked at 37minsSubstituted forGuendouziat 71'minutes
  • 5Papastathopoulos
  • 16Holding
  • 2Bellerín
  • 11TorreiraBooked at 78mins
  • 34XhakaBooked at 49mins
  • 31Kolasinac
  • 7MkhitaryanSubstituted forRamseyat 45'minutes
  • 14Aubameyang
  • 17IwobiSubstituted forLacazetteat 45'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Cech
  • 4Elneny
  • 8Ramsey
  • 9Lacazette
  • 12Lichtsteiner
  • 15Maitland-Niles
  • 29Guendouzi

Tottenham

  • 1Lloris
  • 24AurierBooked at 90mins
  • 21Foyth
  • 5VertonghenBooked at 85mins
  • 33DaviesSubstituted forRoseat 82'minutes
  • 15DierBooked at 32mins
  • 17Sissoko
  • 23Eriksen
  • 20AlliBooked at 65minsSubstituted forWinksat 79'minutes
  • 10Kane
  • 7Son Heung-MinSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 79'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Rose
  • 4Alderweireld
  • 8Winks
  • 16Walker-Peters
  • 18Llorente
  • 22Gazzaniga
  • 27Lucas Moura
Referee:
Mike Dean
Attendance:
59,973

Match Stats

Home TeamArsenalAway TeamTottenham
Possession
Home59%
Away41%
Shots
Home22
Away11
Shots on Target
Home7
Away6
Corners
Home8
Away5
Fouls
Home15
Away17

Live Text

Match ends, Arsenal 4, Tottenham Hotspur 2.

Full Time

Second Half ends, Arsenal 4, Tottenham Hotspur 2.

Attempt blocked. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Danny Rose.

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Juan Foyth.

Booking

Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Rob Holding (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur).

Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur).

Attempt blocked. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Winks.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) because of an injury.

Dismissal

Second yellow card to Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) for a bad foul.

Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).

Substitution

Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Danny Rose replaces Ben Davies.

Attempt missed. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ben Davies with a cross following a corner.

Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Héctor Bellerín.

Attempt missed. Sokratis (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.

Attempt blocked. Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).

Substitution

Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Winks replaces Dele Alli.

Substitution

Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Lucas Moura replaces Son Heung-Min.

Booking

Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.

Goal!

Goal! Arsenal 4, Tottenham Hotspur 2. Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Goal!

Goal! Arsenal 3, Tottenham Hotspur 2. Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey.

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Jan Vertonghen.

Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur).

Foul by Sokratis (Arsenal).

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Substitution, Arsenal. Matteo Guendouzi replaces Shkodran Mustafi because of an injury.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) because of an injury.

Attempt saved. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

Foul by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal).

Juan Foyth (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Juan Foyth (Tottenham Hotspur).

goal

As It Stands

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Man City1412204363738
2Liverpool1410402652134
3Chelsea1494130111931
4Arsenal1493232181430
5Tottenham14100425151030
6Everton146532015523
7Man Utd146442223-122
8Leicester146352017321
9Bournemouth146262321220
10Watford146261719-220
11Brighton145361620-418
12Wolves144461317-416
13West Ham144371722-515
14Crystal Palace143381017-712
15Newcastle143381119-812
16Cardiff143291327-1411
17Huddersfield14248924-1510
18Southampton141671226-149
19Burnley142391329-169
20Fulham1422101435-218
View full Premier League table

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