I think we all needed that – Arsenal bring joy in excellent North London Derby win

Arsenal 3 Tottenham Hotspur 1   
Premier League   
Sunday 26th September 2021 4.30pm    

I admit to traveling in hope rather than expectation to yesterday’s North London derby, although it must be said that Spurs’ record in fixtures at both Highbury and the Emirates has been very patchy for going on 30 years now. Still, it can’t be argued that overall, they have performed the better of the two clubs since 2016, certainly in terms of league position, and we had that nightmare of them reaching a Champions League final. I still shudder at the thought they could have won that game. 

The match was preceded by a minute's applause for the sadly departed Jimmy Greaves. I was relieved it was done that way, rather than a minute's silence - not only is it more fitting (and celebratory of a life), it doesn't leave room for the odd numbskull to show disrespect. I was amazed, astonished and grateful for the dignity of the minute's silence for David Rocastle before the Arsenal v Spurs match in 2001. Full credit to the away fans on that day for doing the right thing. 

As for the fixture we were all gathered yesterday, there was an expected return for Granit Xhaka. Mikel Arteta was unlikely to field the line-up that achieved victory at Burnley, for the simple reason that Spurs would play more through the middle, and Thomas Partey would need greater assistance in that area of the pitch. I expected Emile Smith Rowe might have to make way, but the manager decided that Pepe was more expendable, which was fine by me. Smith Rowe adds greater thrust and precision in my book, and should be a nailed on starter. 

No question it was a young team, with only three players older than 24 (Aubameyang, Xhaka and Partey). Equally significantly, six of the players were bought under Arteta’s watch, and two of the other five were Academy developed and promoted by the manager. Those who have been around longer were Tierney (by half a season), Aubameyang (just under two calendar years) and Xhaka (who the club tried to move on during the summer). It’s fair to say that the team is almost unrecognisable from that which failed Unai Emery in the months before Arteta arrived. 

Still, as the Gunners were in the midst of long-term decline, a shake-up was required, and Arteta was given the time and money to do it. Yesterday was just one game, and of course conclusions cannot be drawn from a single match. The hope is that this is some kind of a turning point, because although Arsenal did win their previous two league matches, the nature of the performance in this one was an eye-opener, in the best possible way.

The drive to get forward at pace was so pleasing to see, as well as the competitive nature of the players in their individual duals. There was genuine motivation and purpose to go and win this match from the start, which manifested in the three goal lead at half-time. The first two goals were excellent cut-backs from wide to a man in space to simply pick out a pass into the net, whilst Saka’s mix of willingness to take a man on, skill and determination carved out the third, finished on his weaker foot.

Spurs did come into the game more in the second half, their late goal from Son something of a mirror image of the home side’s first two. Aside from that, although they created chances, only Kane’s second half poke wide was as clear-cut an opportunity as Arsenal’s. So although the stats don’t suggest the visitors were dominated, it did feel like that during the game. Fortunately, a wonder save by Ramsdale when he tipped a floating Moura effort onto the bar at 3-1 made the concluding moments less stressful, and the combination of the win and its margin took Arsenal into tenth place, one above their opponents.

There were excellent performances all round (not least Saka’s, the obvious man of the match), but I’ll simply select one to make comment on – which is Aaron Ramsdale’s. For the simple reason that he embodied the spirit of the team on this day. He was pumped up for the match, which was not unusual. The significance of this though is how this is being transmitted to his colleagues. You feel that this is the kind of character that has been absent from the dressing room for too long, and you can now understand why a player who was being castigated by Gooners for being twice relegated from the Premier League before he joined the club was sought out by Arteta. It does feel like there could be a future for this team, that perhaps patience was the thing that was required – something that really didn’t feel like the case after the first three matches of the current campaign. 

Doktor Schneide messaged me, “Bragging rights but still nagging doubts” – which felt a bit harsh, although at the same time, we’ve had false dawns so often in recent seasons, I can certainly understand those who are not swayed by one performance. What is key in the recent run is two things that really matter. Firstly, consistency of selection. Enough with the rotation – pick your best eleven and stick with it. And critically yesterday, Arsenal were less predictable, more pragmatic – the decision was taken not to doggedly play it out from the back as a default. The tactics were more mixed, with territory sometimes taking more of a priority, as demonstrated by Ramsdale’s goal-kicks, the determination to compete in the air (Aubameyang) and the players competing more for second balls. 

The crowd’s passion and volume made a big contribution. One well-informed individual I know told me that, pre-COVID, there are normally about 10,000 tourists at an Arsenal home weekend league game. The restrictions have wiped out those numbers, with perhaps more people present who care, know the chants and will get behind the team.

One thing to say after the scenes before the game on Wednesday evening. Although the barrier system did not change, people were able to get there earlier, there were less delays with people not knowing where to go, and how to use their cards, phones or e-tickets, and not many people entered after the game had begun. Long may this continue, although the Monday and Friday evening home games against Palace and Villa will be a proper test of this. It was interesting to see how the pub I drank in pre-match emptied out between 3.30 and 4pm – many don’t take chances any more and have decided to ensure they don’t get caught in queues. 

So a good day all round, hopefully the shape of things to come. Arteta has a season in which he can work on his players, and the bulk of the starting eleven is his. The club should, under these conditions, be knocking on the door of Champions League qualification if they have the right manager. If Arteta can stop tinkering, and allow his players to be less predictable and more aggressive on the pitch, I will be happily proved wrong in my view that he is not the man to rebuild the club. Yesterday provided reasons why he just could be. Let’s hope for more of the same throughout October.

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