LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: An arsenal fan shows his support during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Arsenal hosted Spurs in the first North London Derby of the season on Sunday afternoon. Here are five things we learned from the 2-2 draw.
As is almost is always the case in these North London Derbies, Sunday’s latest outing between Arsenal and Spurs was wild. The Gunners hosted this time, but immediately dropped two goals down with some typically terrible defensive errors letting Spurs straight in. Then came the fightback. First, Alexandre Lacazette scored a terrific goal just before half-time, skipping past Jan Vertonghen and lashing into the goal, and then his strike mate, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, notched his customary goal for a second-half equaliser.
Here are five things we learned from the 2-2 draw.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Christian Eriksen of Spurs follows up to score the first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
5. Defending the counter-attack
If there was one most concerning aspect of the Arsenal performance, more than some of the lacklustre individual displays that I will touch on later, it is their vulnerabilities against the counter-attack, which were especially present in the first half.
Last week, Unai Emery played in a 4-4-2 diamond, defending very deep and using a conservative, counter-attacking approach in general. Throughout the full season, however, this is not the most sustainable system to use, and Emery knows it. It is why he clearly wants to shift to a 4-3-3 shape with a more offensive approach. But when he does, the team lacks defensive balance against the break.
This was especially true before the break, with Granit Xhaka lacking the mobility to cover the defensive spaces and Sokratis and David Luiz looking extremely rash in their decision-making. Arsenal have been poor defending the counter-attack for many years, and it does not look like it will improve any time soon.
Arsenal and Spurs was wild. The Gunners hosted this time, but immediately dropped two goals down with some typically terrible defensive errors letting Spurs straight in. Then came the fightback. First, Alexandre Lacazette scored a terrific goal just before half-time, skipping past Jan Vertonghen and lashing into the goal, and then his strike mate, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, notched his customary goal for a second-half equaliser.</p>
<h2><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pain-in-the-arsenal-podcast-on-arsenal-fc/id1314514440?ign-mpt=uo%3D4%26amp%3Buo%3D4&mt=2%22>Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Oh my, Granit Xhaka</a></h2>
<p>Here are five things we learned from <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49463331">the 2-2 draw</a>.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-92049" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1171541129-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Christian Eriksen of Spurs follows up to score the first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>5. Defending the counter-attack</h4>
<p>If there was one most concerning aspect of the Arsenal performance, more than some of the lacklustre individual displays that I will touch on later, it is their vulnerabilities against the counter-attack, which were especially present in the first half.</p>
<p>Last week, Unai Emery played in a 4-4-2 diamond, defending very deep and using a conservative, counter-attacking approach in general. Throughout the full season, however, this is not the most sustainable system to use, and Emery knows it. It is why he clearly wants to shift to a 4-3-3 shape with a more offensive approach. But when he does, the team lacks defensive balance against the break.</p>
<p>This was especially true before the break, with Granit Xhaka lacking the mobility to cover the defensive spaces and Sokratis and David Luiz looking extremely rash in their decision-making. Arsenal have been poor defending the counter-attack for many years, and it does not look like it will improve any time soon.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. A very good performance </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>4. A very good performance</h4>
<p>It would be easy to focus on the lacking individuals or the defensive lapses in the first half, but on the whole, this was a very good collective performance. While Spurs created chances on the counter-attack and could have scored more if not for Bernd Leno and the foot of the post, Arsenal were much the better team.</p>
<p>They engineered 26 shots in total, the most of any match under <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=unai+emery%22>Unai Emery</a> and the highest figure by a Premier League team in a single match this season. They outperformed Spurs in Expected Goals, possession, touches, passes and action areas. The Gunners were the better team.</p>
<p>There have been plenty of questions surrounding Emery’s coaching skill. Despite some positive results, the performances have sometimes been a little concerning. But this was a very encouraging performance too. The underlying processes were executed well, the passing was clean, the pressing, excellent. A draw is a little disappointing, yes, but there were plenty of positive signs.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Guendouzi the star </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal is challenged by Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>3. Guendouzi the star</h4>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=matteo+guendouzi%22>Matteo Guendouzi</a> was the best player on the pitch. And it wasn’t particularly close.</p>
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<p>Playing on the right side of a central midfield trio, Guendouzi, even during Arsenal’s more worrying moments, was the most positive player. His passing was superb throughout, always looking to play forwards, feeding teammates in attacking areas, his athleticism and grit were immediately noticeable as he made seven ball recoveries, and he produced the crucial piece of quality in the match.</p>
<p>Receiving the ball in midfield, Guendouzi dribbled forward, span away from a Spurs defender and settled himself just outside the penalty area. With no Spurs midfielder closing him down, Guendouzi looked up, surveyed the field, and pierced the Spurs defence with a terrific, slicing, clipped through pass that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang studded past Hugo Lloris, using the speed of the pass to his advantage.</p>
<p>To dominate a North London Derby at 20 years of age is remarkable, a clear illustration of his inordinate ability and potential. What may come of Guendouzi this season remains to be seen, but he has been one of Arsenal’s very best players so far. It might be time for him to replace an incumbent midfield partner.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. The front three's debut </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-92059" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1171544512-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal is challenged by Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>2. The front three’s debut</h4>
<p>For the first time this season, Unai Emery fielded the front three that all Arsenal fans have been waiting for:<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=pierre-emerick+aubameyang%22> Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a> off the left flank,<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=nicolas+pepe%22> Nicolas Pepe</a> on the opposite wing, and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=alexandre+lacazette%22>Alexandre Lacazette</a>, through the middle. Given the resources ploughed into them, this is the crux of the Arsenal team. They will go as far as their front three can take them, and based off this performance, that might be quite a long way.</p>
<p>Aubameyang and Lacazette both scored their customary goals, their third and second of the season respectively. Both were terrific finishes, which is not surprising given their clinical quality in front of goal. Pepe, meanwhile, had some wonderful touches, skipping past Spurs defenders with ease, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.</p>
<p>That is not to be overly critical of the £72 million man. He recorded his first assist of his Arsenal career here, and the goals will surely come if he continues to threaten as he has done. He just needs a little luck in front of goal, because he is doing everything else right. They are not quite as cohesive as Liverpool’s triumvirate, but the potential is clear to see. This could be a riveting campaign indeed.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Granit Xhaka, it's time </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Giovani Lo Celso of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>1. Granit Xhaka, it’s time</h4>
<p>I have said many times that Arsenal should replace <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=granit+xhaka%22>Granit Xhaka</a> through the transfer window — I understood why they did not replace him in the summer just passed, given the vast overhaul at other positions. But now I would go a step further: He just needs to be dropped.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Xhaka committed seven fouls. The fact that one of these was his best moment in the match, pulling back Harry Kane to prevent a counter-attack, finally receiving a yellow card in the process, tells you, painfully, everything you need to know.</p>
<p>He was incessantly outmanoeuvred, lacking the speed and agility to cover space and win second balls, he passed poorly when pressed in the first half, though this substantially improved after the break, and he has seemingly regressed in his defensive awareness, not able to temper his eagerness to win the ball back. Oh, and all of this is without mentioning a scissor slide tackle — yes, you read that right — that handed Spurs a stonewall penalty.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Spurs: Player ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-liverpool-player-ratings-matteo-guendouzi-star/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-spurs-5-things-learned-wild/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/01/arsenal-vs-liverpool-player-ratings-matteo-guendouzi-star/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Spurs: Player ratings </a> </div>
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<p>With Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, Dani Ceballos and Joe Willock all impressing this season, there is no reason why a liability like Xhaka should be playing. Sadly, I don’t think anything will change when Arsenal return after the international break.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">
