We have all bemoaned Arsenal’s slow starts this season, but against Spurs they came out of the traps flying and certainly wweren’t playing like underdogs. The Gunners deservedly took the lead after just ten minutes when Aubameyang converted the penalty from a blatant handball in the area.
Arsenal continued their dominance and both Iwobi and Auba both had chances to double our lead, but then we had two minutes of madness. First off all Alli got on the end of a curling freekick into the box, which Leno should really have saved. This sparked a mellee on the touchline with lots of handbags on show, and then straight from the kickoff, Son sprinted into our box and when he was cut down Mike Dean had no choice but to point to the spot. Harry converted that one just as well as Auba did for us. Arsenal were 2-1 down and set to go to another half-time without a lead…
It was a very fiery half with more chances at both ends, but we couldn’t pull one back and we went into the break despondent, but then again we always improve after half-time don’t we?
Emery worked his usual magic and brought on Lacazette for Iwobi and Ramsey for Mhkitaryan and we swiflty took command again, but it was another 15 minutes until we finally equalized with a brilliant reflex shot from Aubameyang which left Lloris with no chance at all.
It was brilliant to see the fight in the team, and it was only a matter of time before we took the lead again when Lacazette found a way past the two defenders and Lloris with a sliding left foot cut that crept into the corner and the Emirates went crazy! But the job was not yet done, and we had to wait until only ten minutes remained and Torreira flew down the inside wing and smashed the ball past Lloris to put the points in the bag and assure our place back in the Top Four. This was all the sweeter for getting there while relegating our biggest rivals into fifth place on goal difference.
Spurs never looked like getting back into it and when Jan Vertonghen got his second yellow with five minutes left, they had lost all hope of another comeback.
A brilliant day for Arsenal and the home supporters, but especially for Unai Emery who has now taken Arsenal into a 19 game unbeaten run after our opening two defeats.
A great, brilliant, fantastic, incredible day for Gooners everywhere!
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