- Arsenal got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Tottenham
- Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez gave the Gunners the goals at the Emirates Stadium
- There was controversy over both goals but Arsenal fans are relishing the karma
- WATCH: Mustafi goal gives Arsenal 1-0 lead vs Tottenham, but Spurs fans have two justified complaints
Arsenal got back to winning ways as the Premier League returned after the international break, earning a well-deserved 2-0 win over Tottenham in the North London Derby.
Goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez settled the contest in the first half, with Spurs far from at their best even if there was a slice of good fortune for Arsenal on both their goals.
Man of the match
There are a few contenders, but Mustafi really put in one of his finest performances in an Arsenal shirt and may have just edged it over Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
Not only did the Germany international score a superb header to open the scoring, but he timed a perfect challenge on Harry Kane as he bore down on goal at a point in the second half when Tottenham could really have got themselves back in it.
Ozil may have left the pitch to a standing ovation, but defenders don’t get enough credit and this was a hugely impressive display from Mustafi against a star-studded Spurs attack.
Flop of the match
With wayward shooting and a total lack of influence when Tottenham needed him most, it may just be Christian Eriksen on this occasion.
Having shone for Denmark with a hat-trick in his last game against the Republic of Ireland, many were expecting him to come here and out-shine Ozil at the Emirates, but it wasn’t to be.
Kane and Dele Alli may have been the ones dragged off by manager Mauricio Pochettino, but Eriksen should have been pulling the strings against a weak Arsenal defence and midfield, but was largely invisible.
Stat of the match
This speaks volumes…a disappointing game for Kane, but only because of the incredibly high standards he’s set himself…
Player ratings
Arsenal: Cech 7, Koscielny 7, Mustafi 8, Monreal 7, Bellerin 6, Kolasinac 7, Xhaka 6, Ramsey 7, Ozil 8, Sanchez 8, Lacazette 8 / Subs: Coquelin 6, Iwobi
Tottenham: Lloris 6, Sanchez 6, Dier 5, Vertonghen 6, Trippier 6, Davies 6, Dembele 6, Sissoko 7, Eriksen 5, Alli 6, Kane 6 / Subs: Winks 6, Llorente 6, Son 6
Reaction
Normally a huge admirer of Tottenham, Sky Sports pundit couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing from them today…
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans were relishing beating Spurs with two questionable offside calls after being undone themselves by a dodgy linesman at Man City last time out…
The knives were also out for Mauricio Pochettino after yet another defeat in an away game against a top six side…