- Arsenal were dominant in the first half to take a 2-0 lead against Tottenham
- Goals from Mustafi and Sanchez put the home side ahead
- Spurs looked a shadow of their usual self in difficult opening 45 minutes
- READ MORE: (Watch) Shkodran Mustafi goal gives Arsenal 1-0 lead over Tottenham, but Spurs fans have two justified complaints
Arsenal put in an impressive shift in the first half of the north London derby against Tottenham on Saturday, and their supporters were loving it.
It was a brilliant 45 minutes for the hosts, as aside from the fact that goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez gave them a commanding lead, they were always positive and taking the game to their rivals.
Admittedly, the two goals had question marks hanging over them for offside calls, but they counted and on the balance of play, the Gunners were worthy of their lead.
Taking the first half in isolation, Arsenal supporters were delighted with what they saw, as the team produced an energetic, committed and passionate display to get on the front foot and show that they acknowledge how much the fixture means to them.
Especially taking into consideration previous limp performances against their direct rivals, this certainly made a refreshing change for the Emirates faithful.
It helped that Tottenham looked well below their usual level, but take nothing away from how Arsene Wenger set his team up and how the players responded to the challenge, as they matched Spurs well and produced two bits of decisive play to lead.
Now to just match that in the second half with a Tottenham response undoubtedly coming…
That was the best I’ve seen Arsenal play in long long time.
— Vivek (@VivekWenger) November 18, 2017
Amazing first half @Arsenal
— Frieda.?K E (@fririfree) November 18, 2017
Arsenal have totally dominated this. Point the finger at Mike Dean all you like but Pochettino got his lineup badly wrong.
— Marc Duffy (@MarcSDuffy) November 18, 2017
Ramsey and Granit have been amazing, they bring the best out of each other. Only need consistency.#Arsenal #NLD #ARSTOT
— Michael Segal (@mseg92) November 18, 2017
amazing half, we need to hold on to this lead, cant let our intensity drop in the second half, PLEASE ARSENAL!
— Alexis#7 (@TacticalAlexis) November 18, 2017
HT: Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham – Absolutely sensational half of football from the Arsenal! ?????? #ARSTOT #COYG
— AFC Fans Corner (@AFCFansCorner_) November 18, 2017
Arsenal have been excellent in defence and attack. Alli and Kane for Spurs look flat and Arsenal’s front 3 have been sensational. Lucky on the first goal but Ozil in particular has put in a 10/10 display #ARSTOT
— Feed The Opinion (@FeedTheOpinion) November 18, 2017
Arsenal On Fire ??
— Osha ?? (@Oshasha122) November 18, 2017
Arsenal have thoroughly deserved their lead. Totty bottling a big game as per usual.
— Hernandez. (@InceHernandez) November 18, 2017
I do not remember the last time I enjoyed an Arsenal match as much as this one. I do hope this feeling lasts another 45 minutes.
— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) November 18, 2017
Arsenal just made Spurs look utterly pedestrian, even after they rested their best players.
Shame Wenger can’t extract these levels every game.
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) November 18, 2017