Arsenal went eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after a classic Spurs performance in what was a predictable outcome on Derby Day.
Everyone knows Tottenham have started games slowly this season, but if there is a game Antonio Conte’s men should have been up for from the start it would be the north London derby, especially when their rivals are on the top of their game, and more importantly, on top of the Premier League, with five points separating them and reigning champions Manchester City going into Sunday’s match.
Ryan Sessegnon was given the nod in left-wing-back ahead of Ivan Perisic and it was pretty obvious why. Bukayo Saka is arguably Arsenal’s most dangerous player. Whether or not he is doesn’t matter but he is an extremely dangerous winger who can give any left-sided defender a problem on any given day. Sessegnon is quicker than Perisic, meaning he could at least cope with the England winger. Sessegnon was physical with him, though that is probably the only positive thing you can say about how that match-up went from a Spurs perspective.
Arsenal’s game plan was clear. They easily evaded their rivals’ press early on and even with some sloppy play from Thomas Partey, the Gunners were calm and sure in possession. While Sessegnon was targeted in a blatant mismatch, Arsenal did what they could to unsettle another weak link in Hugo Lloris. The Frenchman spilled one a fortnight ago against Aston Villa and has always been a bit dodgy with his feet – especially in recent years – and Arsenal evidently knew that. The visitors’ first chance of the game came to Eddie Nketiah after Lloris stitched up his teammate with a dodgy pass but redeemed himself by saving the 23-year-old’s left-footed shot.
And then Arsenal were in front. The Gunners start games fast, Spurs start games slowly. The score reading 0-1 in the first half was pretty inevitable and Lloris being at the heart of it was no surprise. Saka had too much time in the box and swung the ball down Lloris’ throat, with the Spurs captain palming the ball into his own goal, to score just that: an own goal.
Spurs needed to get into the break only one goal down and it looked like there was no chance whatsoever that would be the case. Lloris made a good save to deny Martin Odegaard; Partey rocketed the post with a sublime volley and Arsenal were purring in a subdued Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The majority of play remained down Saka/Sessegnon’s flank. Just like he…
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