A game of this magnitude needs no hype, or introduction… but I’m pretty sure, I’m about to do both.
The players shouldn’t need to be reminded of the importance of the game, they shouldn’t even need a team talk. They should still be seething from the awful Wolves performance, and be determined to put things right, by slaying their north London rivals.
There’s 3 points at stake, there’s pride at stake, there’s bragging rights at stake!! North London has been, and forever will be… RED!! Every now and then however, we have to remind our trophy lacking neighbours, that we’re their superiors, and they’re our subordinates.
ANOTHER convincing win against these minnows, will spur us on, for the upcoming fixtures.
Tottenham are on the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle, and The Arsenal are on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw with Wolves.
Neither result will have any bearing on this game though, as form goes out the window where derbies are concerned, and this is a fact that’s been well documented.
We went with a starting line-up of David Raya in goal, Hincapie at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba, in central defence, and Timber at right-back.
The midfield was Rice, Zubimendi, and Eze… and the front three was Trossard on the left, Gyokeres through the middle, and Saka on the right.
It was a hostile atmosphere, as expected… but the Arsenal players didn’t allow themselves to be affected by it. In fact, we were composed, played with controlled aggression, and passed through our delusional neighbours… with an ease that reminded them that although we may be in a similar geographical location, we’re not in the same footballing class.
Early chances from Gyokeres, and Saliba, asserted our dominance, and instilled fear into our ill equipped enemy.
In the 32nd minute, we inflicted the first wound on the relegation fodder… after Saka ran at Sarr, and then ran through him. Our Starboy then cut the ball back to Eze, and he flicked the ball up majestically, and volleyed it home. A wonderful finish!! 1-0 to the Arsenal!!
UNFORTUNATELY, our celebrations were short-lived, because just 2 minutes later, a mistake from Declan Rice, allowed Muani to equalise. He dispossessed Rice, cut inside… and put the ball past Raya, with a hard, low finish. 1-1. (BOOOOOOOO!!)
It was an undeserved goal, but as we know… you don’t always get what you deserve in football.
The first half finished 1-1, and it was all to play for. We looked unmoved by their equaliser though, and I must say… THAT’S always a good sign.
We began the second half ruthlessly, and that’s exactly what the Arsenal contingent needed.
Saka, and then Trossard, were unlucky not to score… but the Spursy Spurs, were on the ropes, and unsteady on their feet… a knockout, was inevitable.
In the 47th minute, Timber played an exceptional ball in to Gyokeres, from the right hand side… and Gyokeres took a touch on the edge of the box, and smashed the ball past the Tottenham keeper, ferociously. A FANTASTIC GOAL!! A MONUMENTAL GOAL!! A goal that etches Gyokeres’ name, into Gunners folklore!! 2-1 to The Arsenal!!
Due to an earlier booking for Timber, and a little fatigue… he was replaced in the 57th minute, by one of the signings of the season in my opinion, Cristhian Mosquera.
I sensed that there were more goals in this game for us, and in the 61st minute, I was proved right. Saka, and Eze linked up well… and Eze put Saka clean through on the keeper, but his shot was blocked. Fortunately though, the loose ball fell kindly for Eze, and he rifled the ball home. His second goal of the game, his fifth goal against Spurs, in two games!! A big game player, and derby assassin!! And from his kill count, business… is GOOOOOOD!! Oh, and of course, 3-1 to The Arsenal!!
We continued to embarrass Rottenham Notspur, and the two goal cushion helped the Gunners faithful to relax… including the manager, because in the 77th minute, further changes were made.
Martinelli replaced Trossard, and Odegaard came on for Eze.
Trossard had an OK game, by his high standard… but Eberechi Eze, was phenomenal… and I’m not just talking about his goals. His little touches, and flicks around the corner, control in tight spaces, and his overall link-up play, was a joy to behold.
I’ve said in multiple blogs not to worry about Eze, I’ve said he needed time, I’ve said he needed to adjust to playing multiple games a week, and I’ve said he’s needed to adjust to a new system, and the pressure that comes with playing for a big club. We’re NOW merely seeing, an “Adjusted” Eberechi Eze… and opposing teams, are now going to have to adjust, to his attacking potency… and they’ll have to do EXACTLY the same, for Viktor Gyokeres.
Aaaaaanywhooo, more opportunities followed, but we couldn’t put the relegation fodder out of their misery.
Madueke replaced Saka in the 91st minute… and I’d just like to say that Saka had a superb game. It didn’t matter which Tottenham player he ran at, or dribbled past… they were ALL scared to death, and I enjoyed their panic immensely.
The game was drawing to its conclusion, and I’d just begun to accept the 3-1 scoreline… but Odegaard had other ideas… when he picked the ball up in midfield, and played a perfect ball into the path of Gyokeres. He effortlessly held off the defender, and stroked the ball past the keeper… with a confidence that was inspiring to the Arsenal family. 4-1 to The Arsenal!!!! A second goal for Gyokeres… and an undeniable, marksman’s performance.
A positional awareness, character building, confidence inspiring, roughhousing the opposition defenders… type of performance.
Nobody is above criticism, but the criticism Gyokeres has faced… is agenda driven, unfair, and exaggerated. He most certainly shut a few critics up in this game, and I’m pleased for him.
The match finished 4-1, just like it did when we played them at the Emirates. That’s an 8-2 aggregate scoreline, and it highlights the fact that Tottenham Hotspur are a comical football team, and institution. (HAHAHA!!)
It was an excellent team performance, in a game that we simply HAD TO win, and not just because it’s the North London Derby… and not just because of our recent results in the Premier League. We HAD TO win, to expel the doubt that was creeping into the team, and our fanbase.
We HAD TO win to remind ourselves we CAN cope with the pressure, and to decrease the decibels of the outside noise… and that’s EXACTLY what we did.
Now, with Tottenham pushed closer to relegation, at the hands of The Arsenal… we can turn our attention to Chelsea. We play The Blues at the Emirates next, and we need to continue our brilliant record against them. Let’s add some black to their blue. Beat them black and blue, if you will. We need to go on a winning run now, and get this league title wrapped up.
Should Arteta play the same starting 11 against Chelsea?
Do Timber, and Zubimendi, need a rest?
Will this be the greatest season EVER, if we win the league, and Tottenham get relegated? HAHAHA!!
Let me know in the comments, as usual. NORTH LONDON IS RED!!! COYG!!!
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