In the Aftermath: Arsenal v Spurs – Match Review

Sometimes the best way to shut someone up is to stick your foot right where it don’t belong. And in this case that place is the back of the net.  This was a week of rather boisterous bravado from Robbie Keane who proclaimed to anyone who would listen, that Spurs were on a level playing field with their North London Rivals. There was one problem with Robbie’s proclamation, they had to play anyting on the pitch. And when they did – well let’s just say the gulf is as wide as it ever was.

For the first 42 minutes of the match it looked like the Gunners and Sprus would head into the dressing room drawn equal. There were chances to be sure but overall, it seemed as if Arsenal were content to feel out their opposition and find an opportune time to strike rather than open up the attack. But within a minute that all came to a crashing halt.

Hey Robbie - My bench is better than yours. Neener!!

Coming off a throw in within the attacking end, Tottenham’s defense allowed Bacary Sagna to have his time setting a low hard cross into the box. Charging in, Robin Van Persie beat his marker to the ball and stuffed it under the diving arm of Spurs leaky keeper Gomes. BUt that was just the start and the laziness that SPurs were showing in the back would become more evident in the next 15 seconds.

Set up to tip off theball after RvP’s goal, Spurs gave a way the ball to Arsenal Captain, Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas, who obviously had been playing too much Fifa 10 decided to emulate his game and elude two defenders, one on a poorly timed challenge and the other on a self-pass through the legs of a defender. From there it was a foot race and the dashing Spainaird won the race and slotted an absolute corker past Gomes again. For many of us Arsenal fans watching on ESPN2 we had to be content with the replay as the goal happened while they were showing the highlights of RvP’s goal. Nonetheless Fabregas now has two goals this season that are absolute class. And he is laying stake to being the best all around player in the EPL this season.

So within a scant minute, Spurs hopes of overtaking Arsenal in the standings for the first time were dashed. Happy St. Toteringham day! For those of you who don’t know what that is – it is the day on the table when Arsenal are guaranteed a spot of Tottenham. For the remainder of the day, Harry Redknapp’s Spurs lacked the fight with only a sustained effort of about 2 minutes pressing the Gunners. But defensively the crew seemed to take whatever lesson they learned from last week’s draw and apply it to a more important match.

Manuel Almunia was back in goal and even with a couple wobbly catches, overall he played a good game, even showing some aggressiveness coming out for the ball. In fairness to the spanish keeper, he did look more in control, did not seem to be erratic and frankly didn’t look like he was going to get caught out of position. That was also with his defense playing solidly in front of him. Arsenal seemed to be on most of the headers in the match and Thomas Vermaelen always seemed to be connected at Peter Crouch’s hip. It was evident that Spurs were going to try and release him and the Verminator was having none of that.

Combine that effort with some good tackles and saves within and around the box, the defense were solid doing well to preserve a well needed clean sheet. A clean sheet goes a long way to supporting the defensive confidence needed to carry over in each game. With AZ Alkmaar coming to the Emirates in the mid week having that confidence will be necessary to do what is needed to close out the group stages.

But the Derby is our focus and we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the effort of RvP, Fabregas and Arshavin. Fromt he get go these three certainly seemed ready to play. And while Arshavin did not score, it was evident that the importance of the Derby was not lost on him. He was tracking back on the ball, playing defensively and when given the space, he pressed the Sprus back four constantly. It was this work effort and the exhaustion with it that likely got him subbed out.

Offensively however, it was RvP and Fabregas with the glory. Having both netted the first half goals to seal the deal, Arsenal fans would not be happy unless one of them scored another to officially close it out. And that task was left to Van Persie. Eduardo who had two to three real solid chances at goal, was caught running down the side, and in play that reminds us all of “playing to the whistle” – the ball was gathered up by Sagna who like everyone else slowed up thinking the play would be called dead but when it wasn’t – kept the ball moving forward and sent another quaility cross in that beat Ledley King (only barely) and was tipped in by RvP for his 2nd of the day and 9th overall. While some could argue that the play should have stopped, the tip in by RvP was without any power and Gomes should’ve stopped it cleanly. As it was the Gunners were now 3 up and the life was completely out of that other team from London.

Excuse me as I pass you by.

This match could’ve been uglier for the visitors  and Eduardo should’ve had two goals of his own. It is clear that time off has made the Crozillian a little rusty but nonetheless it was nice to see him get a longer spell ieven if it was at the expense of re-injured Nicholas Bendtner. Nicky B seems to be out now for another 4 weeks with a groin injury.

The only real blemish in this otherwise strong performance was the continued uninspired performance of Diaby. The blind faith Wenger has in the boy is disconcerting and one hopes that he is only buying time until he has a fully fit Samir Nasri. Diaby’s performance on the field is often lackluster and incomplete. He plays with moments of solid football acumen but more often his play is fraught with mistakes, errant passes, losing the ball and a lack of confidence in his ability. The spurts of solid play show the lad likely does have the skills to play but would likely benefit from more time learning behind a true first team player. It remains to be seen though if Arsene sees him in this light.

Overall the play of the team was solid. They now firmly sit in 3rd place and by all rights they are right in the mix for the EPL title. It remains to be seen if they can correc the defensive frailty enough to make a sustained push for the title. In fairness though to Arsene and the gang in red and white, neither United or Chelsea have been that strong in defense either. Liverpool are doing the best impression of a relegation club and Tottenham, Villa and City are still trying to sort out their own identity. And as much I hate to say this – I think City have the best chance now to supplant someone in the big 4.  That is unless Pool suddenly realize their pedigree.

Well done to the lads, we can sit back and enjoy this one, especially after the draw to West Ham. Next up on the docket is the home match against AZ Alkmaar, which will allow the Gunners to put the Group to bed. Next weekend the Gunners face off against EPL Debutantes Wolverhampton.

Player ratings:

Starting XI:
Almunia: 7
Sagna: 9 (MOTM)
Gallas: 7.5
Vermaelen: 8
Clichy: 7
Fabregas: 9
Song: 8
Diaby: 5
Arshavin: 7.5
Van Persie: 9
Bendtner: 7

Subs:
Eduardo: 7.5
Ramsey: 6
Eboue: 6