arsenal
HIGHLIGHTS | Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur (3-1) | Partey, Jesus, Xhaka
Goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka ensured derby day delight for us as we beat our arch-rivals to maintain top spot in the Premier League table.
Partey’s wonderful strike from distance set us on our way, and despite a Harry Kane penalty ensuring the sides went in level at the break, a poacher’s effort from Jesus restored our lead four minutes into the second half.
Emerson Royal was then red carded for the visitors and soon after Xhaka drove in a third to secure a third straight home victor in this fixture for the first time since 2013.
Emirates Stadium was bouncing ahead of kick-off as our Gooners created a cauldron of noise, and their efforts in the stands were matched on the field as we bossed the opening half an hour.
The game was just two minutes old when Gabriel Martinelli saw a volley smack off Hugo Lloris’ post, and then Granit Xhaka saw an imaginative flick towards goal spin narrowly wide after a wonderful cross from Bukayo Saka.
And on 20 minutes, we grabbed the lead with an absolute blockbuster. Saka was again involved, receiving possession on the right and found Ben White. He laid the ball off to Partey who curled it towards goal first-time from 25 yards, and saw it flash past Lloris and into the top corner to send the already-high decibel levels stratospheric.
But for all our early dominance, Spurs found a way back level just 10 minutes later when we failed to clear our lines from a counter-attack and Gabriel fouled Richarlison in the area. Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, allowing Kane to convert from 12 yards for the seventh time in north London derbies.
Having levelled things up, Spurs’ tails were up and led to a shaky period for us with Kane heading straight at Ramsdale after another swift break, but we still nearly went into the break back in front when a mazy dribble in the box by Gabriel Jesus saw him beat two defenders but shoot straight at Lloris from close-range.
However, just four minutes after the restart, the Brazilian did get his goal to flip the game back in our favour. Saka did well to jink inside from the right and get a shot away, which Lloris did well to parry. Cristian Romero dallied with the rebound, and inadvertently sent the ball squirming under his goalkeeper, allowing Jesus to pounce and slam it home.
Our no. 9 looked destined to grab a second soon after but misplaced his header from an Oleksandr Zinchenko and sent a golden chance wide, but on 62 minutes we received another huge boost to our chances of victory when Royal was dismissed for a foul tackle from behind on Martinelli.
Sensing an opportunity to seal the win, we quickly pressed for a third goal and after Saka bent a shot wide after coming inside, it arrived. Martinelli scampered down the left flank and got to the edge of the box, before laying it off to Xhaka who drilled a low shot under Lloris and grab his second of the campaign and send
