Arsenal and Tottenham played out a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening in a match that didn’t live up to the hype the North London Derby usually draws.
Having lost four of the last five matches at the Emirates, Tottenham started this match brighter than Arsenal and their captain Son Heung-min put the ball into the back of the net in the fourth minute. However, this didn’t count as he was ruled offside by the lineman.
Arsenal’s first major chance of the match came in the 14th minute when Bukayo Saka sent an inviting cross to the far post of Tottenham’s box but Gabriel Jesus saw his shot punched to the side by Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Arsenal grew into the match and created some chances through Jesus and captain Martin Odegaard, but it was in the 26th minute that they got the breakthrough.
Saka received the ball from his captain on the right wing, cut back inside, and shot the ball goal-wards, only to be turned in by Cristian Romero to count as an own goal.
Arsenal, who were not their usual attacking self sat back a bit and invited more pressure from Tottenham. This became costly three minutes from halftime when Son flicked the ball in the far corner off the upright to draw his team level.
Son would have James Maddison to thank. Spurs’ No. 10 did some great footwork on the left wing to play the team’s skipper. Prior to this, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya pulled out a great save to deny Brendan Johnson.
In the second half, the intensity of the match didn’t increase much but Arsenal managed to restore the lead in the 53rd minute through a penalty kick that Saka converted after Romero handed the ball inside the box.
However, Arsenal’s jubilations and lead lasted shorter than expected as Jorginho lost possession to Maddison in the middle of the park. The Englishman drove the ball towards Arsenal’s defense before setting up Son and the South Korean made no mistake but slide the ball past Raya.
The result means Tottenham have avoided defeat at the Emirates Stadium for the first time in six matches.
The result also means Arsenal stay fifth, level on points with Tottenham, but the latter remains fourth on goal difference.
