Hoping to extend their fine North London derby form at home, Arsenal duly delivered.
With victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the Gunners have now recorded fifteen wins in twenty four Emirates NLDs, with the remaining games producing seven draws and just a single defeat.
And while Arsenal painted North London red, it was Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze who stole the headlines. Trossard broke the deadlock, and Eze grabbed a hat trick as Arsenal ran riot against their noisy neighbours.
Richarlison scored, but his goal proved little more than a footnote as Arsenal won it 4 to 1.
Here are my key takeaways from a brilliantly memorable evening.
Eze Has Arrived
Eze has finally landed. The summer recruit became the first Arsenal player to score a hat trick in this fixture since Alan Sunderland back in 1978. All his goals were breathtaking, they crowned a performance full of energy and intelligence. On and off the ball he was outstanding, silencing any lingering doubts with his brilliance.
Trossard And Arsenal’s Control
Breaking the deadlock in Sunday’s derby, Trossard extended his remarkable run of form. He has now contributed directly to goals in four consecutive starts, two strikes and two assists.
The Belgian is cementing his place on the left flank, bringing stability to a position that had looked shaky. Gabriel Martinelli suddenly faces a daunting task in trying to reclaim his spot.
Arsenal dominated the midfield. Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur could not cope in the centre of the park.
With Mikel Merino leading the line, Arsenal clearly fielded an extra midfielder. With the Spaniard not staying fixed in the number nine position, instead dropping deep, it overloaded the midfield. Spurs were suffocated, unable to find rhythm or space.
That control allowed Arsenal to dictate proceedings, vary their attacking patterns and remain unpredictable in the final third with different runners.
Hincapie offered an assured full debut. There were concerns about how Arsenal would cope without Gabriel Magalhaes, who has quietly become their defensive cornerstone. Yet Piero Hincapie rose to the occasion.
On his full debut, the Ecuadorian was composed and unfazed by the derby atmosphere. He barely put a foot wrong, delivering a performance so assured that Gabriel’s absence went unnoticed.
Notably, Arsenal had historically struggled without Gabriel, failing to win eighteen of the thirty league matches he has missed since joining in 2020. But on Sunday, that statistic did not matter.
The win leaves Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Next up is a clash with Chelsea, and if the Gunners can dispatch their London rivals, they could stretch their lead even further.
What a fantastic game!
What were your key takeaways?
Daniel O
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I always feels the former Crystal Palace Man, would come alive in the derby.
I have this same feelings for Jesus in the champions league, but only time will tell for the Brazilian
Before it was Maghales clashing with strikers yet in this match it was Saliba confronting and arguing against Richarlison. The overwork of Saliba maybe lessened the burden of Hincapie who admirably overperformed. From thrashing Spurs now to facing an ex Spurs legend in Harry Kane on Wednesday. Bayern have one more rest day advantage as they played on Saturday. After Eze will another England international Kane display extraordinary show to avenge for the shame of his former club Spurs? Buckle up Gunners the next 2 matches are also too decisive in defining the leagues positions. We shouldn’t be myopic. COYG!!!
I still really feel pained by the goal we conceded against Spurs courtesy of Zubimendi and Raya’s stupidity.
It was a ridiculously perfect shot from richarlison. Not a big mistake – it was unusually well punished. Sometimes you just have to credit the opponent
the team was buzzing from the start, Raya had poor game looked nervous, zubimendi was at fault for not
keeping a clean sheet.. too slow releasing the ball..
Timber is world class , a warrior.. Hincapie did ok
and didn’t look stagefrigthened at all in his first start..
My take away- Eze plays best at number ten when he plays behind/ alongside a false nine type of forward. You can’t praise Eze for his remarkable performance without acknowledging the work Merino did to facilitate that.
It’s a wonderful thing that Eze now has the confidence to demand the ball and make things happen. In the past,it’s seemed like he’s playing within his shell.
He can come up with something even when the team isn’t playing well and that might just get us over the line this season.
He has already won us three points against Palace and a point against City with that pass to Martinelli. He can be our match winner like Alexis Sanchez.
Yes, in glad trossard is getting his due credit, but I thought merino was just as important.
There are some of us who have been saying that Raya would be caught out at some time this season and it finally happened.
Raya has been a revelation since ousting Ramsdale, but he continually invites opponents to lob him.
There was no need for him to be that far out of his area and, unfortunately, I can see it happening again unless he changes his desire to be seen as an extra midfielder.
Ken1945,
I agree with you regards Raya’s positioning. For me when we have the ball in our half as we did when Zubimendi dwelt to long on the ball, then Raya should be further back.
It’s only when the ball is in the opponents half should he be allowed to wonder up a bit further to do his sweeping. Thankfully we we’re leading 3-0 at the time.
But he will cost the team when it matters, if he misjudges as badly again.
And yet his being that far out has saved us more times than it has cost us. It’s all about risk v reward.We play the highest defensive line in the league which makes us vulnerable to counter attacks. This means the goalkeeper has to be proactive and be ready to sweep up when needed. It can’t happen if he’s rooted to his goal.
Besides, that goal had nothing to do with Raya being far from goal. It was 100% Zubimendi’s fault and I’m sure he will learn from it. All he needed to do was to play a simple pass to Saliba but he delayed and was caught on the ball.
Finally, I doubt Raya plays that way because he desires it. I’m sure he’s instructed to play that way and there are tactical advantages to it.
Reply to Ken1945
So give me as clear cut examples of him “saving us” as the goal he allowed the spuds to score yesterday Onyango.
I agree, he’s playing as instructed, but you think MA was happy with his positioning?
Ken1945 I wish I could upload a video but unfortunately it’s not possible. But there are countless moments where Raya’s positioning allows him to clear a ball into the stands when our defenders are further upfield. Just watch any highlights of him on YouTube you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Him being higher also provides a simple passing option for our defenders and midfielders when they are pressed by opponents, which is something Zubi could have done.
And yes I’m sure Arteta was happy with his positioning at the time. There was no danger at all until Zubi was caught on the ball which is uncharacteristic of him because he’s usually very secure when in possession. It’s something to learn from, nothing more.
“I think that in the end we played face to face, both against Real Madrid and Arsenal. It is true that it is difficult not to see a difference before we played the teams that, for me, currently play the best in Europe.
‘And playing face to face with this type of team and knowing that they create from the back and want to create by playing football from the goalkeeper’s kick, is not easy.”
-Sergio Ramos of Sevilla FC of Spain.
Now with know reason for MA’s persistence on RAYA
https://www.justarsenal.com/sevilla-star-admits-arsenal-is-one-of-the-best-clubs-in-europe/351914
“I think that in the end we played face to face, both against Real Madrid and Arsenal. It is true that it is difficult not to see a difference before we played the teams that, for me, currently play the best in Europe.
‘And playing face to face with this type of team and knowing that they create from the back and want to create by playing football from the goalkeeper’s kick, is not easy.”
-Sergio Ramos of Sevilla FC of Spain.
Now with know reason for MA’s persistence on RAYA
https://www.justarsenal.com/sevilla-star-admits-arsenal-is-one-of-the-best-clubs-in-europe/351914