Spurs 0-2 Arsenal: (some post match thoughts)

I wouldn’t have wanted to have been sat inside the Spurs dressing room during Mauricio Pochettino’s post match talk on Saturday. After our lads fell to a massively disappointing 2-0 Derby day defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal, at the Emirates stadium. It was for many a bit of a surprise result in a game in which many thought we would get something from. Playing Arsenal straight after a two week international break was the worst possible time, with little preparation and time for the Spurs players to get back in the groove it wouldn’t have made the game any easier. But I know that’s not an excuse for our lacklustre performance and certainty isn’t one in which our manager Mauricio Pochettino would use to justify our performance. Arsene Wenger’s team were the sharper of the two, although we had Kane and Alli back from injury the former of which was not right. They failed to make a positive impact on a game where for a large part of the first half, we gave a good account of ourselves. Despite our possession Arsenal seemed the potent team through out the game, energised by the creative Mesut Özil who formed a formidable front three along side Lacazette and Sanchez. Wenger’s side capitalised on the lack of energy that Spurs brought to the game, in particular they tried to target our defence which was missing the key figure of Alderweireld. For all the talk of an Arsenal on the decline our arch rivals are still one of the finest sides in the league with one of the best front threes. Arsenal passed the ball around quickly and with intent they carved openings through our midfield and defence and looked dangerous with the ball.

Christian Eriksen’s low effort on 35 minutes could have been a game changer but the Danes fine strike ended up ricocheting off of Cech’s near post. The real game changer occurred a minute or so afterwards, when what I thought was a good piece of defending by Sanchez, was deemed a foul by Mike Dean. From that set piece came Arsenal’s opener, Shkodran Mustafi getting on the end of Özil’s precise cross to loop the ball into the far corner of Lloris’ net. From that moment on Arsenal took control of the game they defended well, created numerous good chances and were fast paced in their play. Pochettino’s side never really recovered, his players looked a bit leggy with the exception of centre half Davinson Sanchez who was absolutely fantastic. Arsenal doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time through Alexis Sanchez. And comfortably went on to see out the second half picking up all three points from the first North London Derby of the season. Our players may have lost in hugely disappointing fashion but as always they gave their all against an Arsenal side who were on top of their game. Pochettino’s side could easily have ended up with the win had events taken a different turn, the first half decided the game. Moussa Sissoko put in a good shift in midfield whilst Sanchez was without doubt our man of the match. We may not have been at the races against Arsenal but in the end it just wasn’t to be our day. Up next for Pochettino’s side is a trip to Dortmund in game week 5 of the champions league. COYS