McCANN BELIEVES HARD WORK PAID OFF
Arsenal proved they are still a force to be reckoned with by blowing away Tottenham in a pulsating north London derby.
Spurs had been hailed as the dominant force in this fiercest of rivalries, but goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez secured the Gunners a dominant victory.
The result means Arsenal move just one point behind Tottenham.
There was a hint of fortune about each of Arsenal’s first-half goals. Mustafi’s header came after referee Mike Dean had awarded a dubious free-kick for a foul on Sanchez, while Alexandre Lacazette was just offside in the build-up to their second.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was not impressed, saying: “I need to say nothing, everyone who was here or at home watching the game, they saw what happened. We have to move on. It’s not easy to accept, because we lost.
“We were better than them until the goal. The free-kick (should not have been given) and I think (it was) offside. The first, sure (it was offside), the second one maybe.”
Few could argue with the result, though, as Arsene Wenger’s side beat Spurs at their own game, showing themselves faster, stronger and hungrier in every department.
If Arsenal could produce this sort of ruthless performance more consistently, they would surely be title contenders.
The Gunners were all over Spurs from the outset, with Eric Dier’s pass out under pressure falling to Sanchez, but Alexandre Lacazette fired over. It was a warning of what was to come and while a mix-up between Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny allowed Kane a rare sight of goal, Arsenal were soon pulverising their opponents.
Ben Davies seemed a particular target, with several openings coming down Tottenham’s left, as Hector Bellerin and Mesut Ozil both fired dangerous balls across the box. It was no more comfortable for Davinson Sanchez on the opposite flank as he was harried into playing a limp back-pass to Lloris, who just scrambled away ahead of the chasing Lacazette.
Christian Eriksen clipped a post with a dragged shot, but it was no surprise when Mustafi headed Arsenal in front in the 36th minute.
Arsenal were fortunate to win the freekick for the slightest of shirt-pulls from Davinson Sanchez on Sanchez, before Mustafi climbed above the rooted Jan Vertonghen to head in at the far post.
Tottenham were rattled, but five
minutes later they were two down. Lacazette nipped in between Vertonghen and Davies, squared to Sanchez, who bundled in at the near post.
Lacazette’s arm looked on replay to have just been offside and Spurs assistant Jesus Perez waited to give Dean an earful in the tunnel at halftime. The visitors could hardly argue with the scoreline, however, although they came out with renewed impetus after the break. Harry Kane wanted a penalty for Sead Kolasinac cutting across him and seconds later drew a last-ditch block from Mustafi.
Wenger’s decision to take off Lacazette was greeted by boos. However, Pochettino hauling off both Kane and Alli prompted celebrations from the home support.
Dier’s header drew an acrobatic save from Petr Cech and sub Son Heung-min could have created a nervy finish if he had done better with two half-volleys late on.
Wenger believes Sanchez and Ozil proved their commitment to the cause. He said: “They’ve shown their commitment again. I’ve never questioned their commitment.
“They can have bad games but the problem is that, when a player gets near the end of his contract and has a bad game, everybody says it’s because he’s going. Their interest is to play.”