Error prone Arsenal drop two points at home to the noisy neighbours

 

Arsenal 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2    
Premier League   
Sunday 24th September 2023 2pm   

So, we waited to see if the Ange Postecoglou revolution was the real deal, and in fairness to Spurs, if they continue playing with the organisation and motivation we saw at the Emirates yesterday, I can see them qualifying for next season’s Champions League. They may have enjoyed a midweek without a fixture, something Arsenal did not, but they made use of whatever physical advantage they may have enjoyed to make this north London derby a difficult one for their hosts, closing down space and forcing errors. 

 

In spite of this, Arsenal should really have won this match, going ahead twice, but unable to maintain or increase their lead. The starting eleven saw David Raya retained, and with Trossard injured, both Jesus and Nketiah started, with Vieira replacing Havertz. Saka benefitted from a deflection to give his side the lead, and that opener after 25 minutes was recorded as an own goal by Romero. Arteta’s team were playing to a level, but it was one that looked below their best, as Spurs gave them little time and room on the ball. Saka had set up Jesus for a chance before the goal and looked his side’s main threat. 

 

Spurs pressed for an equaliser and Raya pulled off a fantastic save from Johnson to deny them, but the pressure told in the end as Son scored the first of two goals by beating three Arsenal players to a pulled back cross by Maddison and level the scores. The Gunners should really have been two up by this time, as Jesus fired over from close range after dispossessing Maddison inside the Tottenham penalty area. It was a shocker of a miss as he seemed to blast rather than place his finish. A two-goal margin could well have made the game more comfortable but as it was, the teams went in level at half-time. 

 

You could argue that there was an element of fortune for both Arsenal’s goals in this derby, but they were created by pressure. Not long into the second half, a corner led to Romero blocking a shot in front of the goal with his hand. The referee may not have spotted it, but the VAR official did and a review led to a spot kick. Odegaard shaped up to take it, then handed the ball at the last minute to Saka. A bit of me wonders if this tactic is to foil any attempt from the opposition bench of information of where the ball is likely to go. Or maybe it just stops the taker being hassled as the keeper’s team-mates often try to psych out a penalty taker. Whatever the reason, Saka put the ball at head height in the middle of the goal, the keeper having dived and vacated the space.

 

The joy in the home sections didn’t last long. Jorginho had entered the game at half time for an injured Declan Rice, alongside Havertz who replaced Fabio Vieira. The Italian is normally composed in possession, but was decided not to pass to Saliba and be clever, only to be dispossessed with no cover behind him by Maddison who slipped in Son to equalise. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. It was a horrorshow and a reminder that, defensively, Arsenal are still to convince and it was this aspect of their game that derailed last season’s title challenge in the run-in. They play a high-risk game and are not always good enough to get away with it. It’s an irony that one of the reasons David Raya has been given the nod is his ability and composure under pressure, and yet the players in front of him are capable of basic errors on occasion. 

 

Raya had a mixed game. His distribution didn’t look so good with more intense pressure from the opposition and a good number of his kicks were either picked up by Spurs or went out for throw-ins. Although Arsenal did look tired at times in this game, they rallied towards to end, after Reiss Nelson came on for Jesus, and the home side dominated the play for the last 20 minutes. Spurs were always a danger on the counter attack, but they secured an away point mainly through their frustrating their hosts by denying them time and space in possession. Arsenal moved the ball around a lot, but clear chances were limited in number. 

 

Few of their more attacking players had a good game. Saka was the most effective, and Jesus was certainly busy. But Odegaard, Vieira, Havertz and Nketiah struggled to make an impact. Nketiah could easily have been red carded for a late challenge on the Spurs keeper and been out for three matches. Ben White had a poor game, although Zinchenko looked the most creative player. The team do seem to miss the drive and incisive passing of Thomas Partey that played a key part last season. And of course, injuries are hurting Arteta’s plans. Timber, Partey, Martinelli and Trossard all unavailable. And in this game, Rice had to be withdrawn and Saka looked to take a lot of knocks and was pretty much a passenger by the time he was finally removed in injury time to give Smith Rowe a late cameo. At the back, Saliba and Gabriel had generally decent matches, but the fact that a midfielder created both of the opposition goals meant that whoever was charged with restricting Spurs’ playmaker failed to do their job.

 

Ultimately, it was a game Arsenal should have won, given their taking the lead twice, Jesus’ horrorshow miss and Jorginho’s moment of madness. Jesus stole the ball off Maddison and missed an easy chance. Maddison stole the ball off Jorginho and presented Son with an easy chance and the Korean was more clinical. People expected a more open game than we saw in terms of space at both ends to attack, but Spurs seemed more interested in ensuring Arsenal struggled to develop attacking moves and limited the risks they took. They’ll be content with taking a point.

 

Given the context of the game – the injuries, the midweek game v PSV, and the nature of the goals – Arsenal still look the better team and I’d fancy them to win the reverse fixture. However, I’d also say that Spurs this season look better than they have for a long while – ironic given the departure of Harry Kane. Strange given they were managed by Mourinho and Conte – two coaches that normally get the best out of what they have to work with. 

 

As far as trying to keep pace with Manchester City goes, it already feels like their visit to the Emirates in a fortnight’s time needs to see Arteta’s team take all three points. Arsenal have 14 points from 18. Not bad at all, but they have played four of their six matches at home and with the injury issues weakening them, in this observer’s view they are already playing for second place at best. The home matches against Fulham and Spurs have seen four points dropped in fixtures the team really should have won. Errors while in possession either side of the halfway line have cost dear, but an element of risk is the way Artetaball is played, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon. 

 

Manchester City are not watertight. They conceded 33 goals last season. That Arsenal conceded 10 more was the reason they finished as runners up. It’s very much still a developing team and a work in progress.

 

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