LONDUN PRIDE
Unai was the true hero of this blockbuster, his tough calls putting fight into Gunners
ARSENAL’S real Man of the Match in this epic? Unai Emery.
Never mind ruthless, two-goal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the manner in which he broke Tottenham’s hearts.
Look to the man who has brought the fire back to the red half of north London.
The man who decided lightweight Mesut Ozil could be nowhere near a contest for gladiators and streetfighters. The man under whom the club’s unbeaten run was extended to 19 matches with the biggest win of his time in charge.
If Arsene Wenger wonders why – after all he had done for the club – they finally wanted him out last season, he need only look at the dynamism with which his successor ripped apart the Gunners’ bitter rivals.
Spurs were demolished. Put back in their box after two seasons of finishing higher in the table. Just one win now at the home of their neighbours in 26 seasons.
Mauricio Pochettino and his men will point to the fact they were tired after a tough week and that they still have Champions League football.
But they are no longer above Arsenal, who appear to be coming for them.
The hosts were ahead after 10 minutes. Jan Vertonghen handled at a corner and referee Mike Dean pointed immediately to the spot.
Aubameyang converted and Emery whipped up the crowd. The tempo was relentless. But Spurs fought back superbly.
Son Heung-Min forced two fine saves from Arsenal keeper Berndt Leno before Eric Dier headed in from a corner. Game on. Especially after it kicked off as the England midfielder celebrated. Arsenal substitute Stefan Lichtsteiner shoved Dier, Moussa Sissoko raced over to protect his team-mate and Pochettino raced down the pitch as the tension boiled over.
Arsenal had lost their heads. Spurs kept theirs to go in front a minute later. Son raced into the box and Rob Holding brought him down. Penalty.
Harry Kane (celebrating right) sent Leno the wrong way. The
Gunners, from a position of strength, were falling apart.
It took the intervention of Emery to persuade his men to stay calm. He threw on Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey for the start of the second half. Eleven minutes later it was level again.
Hector Bellerin sent the ball down the line, Ramsey squared and Aubameyang gave Hugo Lloris no chance.
On the hour, with Arsenal rampant, Dele Alli cleared off the line from Shkodran Mustafi before Juan Foyth lost the ball in midfield, Lacazette was sent into the box and the Frenchman’s shot deflected off Dier and past Lloris. Emery, with his fists clenched, turned to his fans and coaching staff, screaming out in triumph. Arsenal knew they still needed a knockout punch. They found it when Aubameyang slipped the ball inside Dier and Lucas Torreira powered it past Lloris.
By the time Jan Vertonghen received a second yellow for his foul on Lacazette, Spurs were done anyway. Arsenal had passed the biggest test of their unbeaten run.
They now go to a Manchester United side with one of the worst defensive records in the Premier League this season. A nightmare campaign could be about to get even worse for Jose Mourinho.