Spurs entered Sunday’s derby with a poor run of form since EPL return with a loss to Sheffield United and a draw at Bournemouth (2 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws).
While Arsenal entered the derby with an improved form (3 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw).
Toby Alderweireld’s header from Son’s corner won the game for Jose Mourinho’s team.
The match appeared to be heading for a draw, but Alderweireld claimed all three-points for Spurs in the 81st minute.
Both teams had their shots hit the woodwork, one from Tottenham left-back Ben Davies and Aubameyang from Arsenal.
Match Analysis
Mourinho set his Spurs team up in a 4-4-2 formation, hoping to slow Arsenal’s wing-backs.
At the opening minutes, Tottenham enjoyed plenty of the ball and had an early chance from a Lucas Moura attempt.
An error from Arsenal saw Harry Kane move to a one-on-one opportunity with Emiliano Martinez.
However, the World Cup golden boot winner was unable to dink the ball over the Arsenal keeper.
Arsenal picked up possession and almost had a goal from Aubameyang through Hector Bellerin pass from the right flank.
Notwithstanding Spurs early threat, the visitors found the ball in the back of the net in 15 minutes.
Serge Aurier lost possession on the edge of the area and with an assist from Granit Xhaka, Lacazette fired in a ferocious effort into the top corner to give Arsenal an early lead.
But Arsenal’s joy was cut short as Tottenham hit back instantly in 137 seconds through Son Heung-Min.
Again, an error prone Arsenal gave away a ball through Sead Kolasinac and David Luiz for Son to grab an equalizer.
Sead Kolasinac’s decision to pass back to David Luiz was a poor one and Son pounced on the loose ball.
Both sides were denied by the woodwork, but Arsenal saw most of the ball in the second half.
Arsenal had much possession in the second-half, registering 318+ passes as Mourinho’s side sat back on a counterattack tactics.
Son and Lucas Moura were Spurs attacking threat for much of the match, with their pace, movement and directness stretching the Arsenal backline.
Tottenham’s late pressure paid-off as a Son Heung-Min’s corner found Alderweireld who rose highest to head the ball into the far corner in the 81st minute.
Spurs held on in a true Mourinho style of play as they climbed above Arsenal in the table.
The match was a typical masterclass from Jose Mourinho who played defensively.
Reaction
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta apologized after the match.
“I’m sorry for the fans because I know how much it means to all of them”.
“We were very willing to give them a big moment of happiness and unfortunately, I am sorry but we could not do it”, he said.
“I am really proud of our players, to play the way we played”.
“I have never seen them before dominating the opponent and nullify them as much as I’ve seen today”.
“But we gave them a goal again and we conceded a set-piece and, at this level, you cannot do it”.
Jose Mourinho
On the one hand, Jose Mourinho reacted on the choked fixtures and his delight for a fight for European competition.
“During this game, no one thought about it, even myself, but Arsenal had 48 hours more than us to rest”.
“It was hard but I think it comes from the heart, this effort, this battle, and in the last minute of the game after 2-1…zero problems, everything under control”, he said.
“I think we were controlled today, very dominant at that level“.
“Even in the first period of the second-half where they had more of the ball”.
“They were more in our half but we were quite comfortable in that situation”.
“Both midfielders did a great job, we found our chances and had great spirit, worked really hard”.
“So we’re happy because we made the fans happy because we’re still in the fight for the Europa League positions”.
“I know that Chelsea, Liverpool didn’t help us at all, but this is about us”.
“We must get the points, we lost some important points but now nine to fight for”.
Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld dedicates the winner to the fans who were in absentia.
“I think it’s massive for us. I think we really wanted to win this game”.
“You know it’s difficult without the fans, it will be a totally different atmosphere but I think we did everything that we could. We fought”, Alderweireld said.
Opta Stat
Arsenal have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, only West Ham (24) have lost more.
Spurs’ 2-1 victory against Arsenal was the 10th time either side has come from behind to win this fixture in the Premier League (Tottenham 4,Arsenal 6), the joint-most comeback wins in a single fixture in the competitions history.
Son Heung-Min is the first Spurs player to score and assist in a Premier League game against Arsenal since February 2012, when Emmanuel Adebayo did so.
Lacazette is the first Arsenal player to score home and away against Spurs in a single league season since Per Mertesacker in 2012/13.
Arsenal’s last 27 away games against the traditional ‘top six’ in the Premier League (0 wins, 10 draws, 17 defeats).
Arsenal did not attempt a single shot after going behind in the 81st minute.
Jose Mourinho has never lost at home to Arsenal in the Premier League (DWDWWWDWDW).
Toby Alderweireld is the first Tottenham player to score against Arsenal at both White Hart Lane and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
What Next?
Arsenal will welcome the newly crowned EPL champions, Liverpool to the EMIRATES Stadium on Wednesday July 15, at 20:15 CAT.
Meanwhile Tottenham will go to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Wednesday July 15, at 18:00 CAT
