Arsenal secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Tottenham in a North London Derby lacking in consistent quality and attacking prowess. Despite registering 14 shots, the Gunners managed only one goal from open play, courtesy of Leandro Trossard. Their other goal, credited as a Dominic Solanke own goal, originated from a corner that should have been a goal kick. This win, however, maintains Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title, closing the gap to four points behind the faltering Liverpool, albeit with the Reds holding a game in hand. While Arsenal’s performance remained far from convincing, their persistence keeps them in contention, raising hopes of a stronger run upon Bukayo Saka’s return from injury. Tottenham, meanwhile, continues to struggle, sitting eight points clear of the relegation zone without a win in five league games.
The match unfolded in a charged atmosphere at the Emirates, with both teams making multiple changes to their starting lineups. Arsenal’s attack, featuring Trossard, Sterling, and Havertz, lacked cohesion and confidence. Sterling, in particular, struggled to make an impact in his first Premier League start since October. Havertz, leading the line despite the online abuse directed at his wife following his penalty miss against Manchester United, remained peripheral throughout the match. The absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, the latter watching from the sidelines on crutches, was palpable. Arsenal displayed their familiar pattern of dominating possession and creating chances but failing to convert them, ultimately allowing Tottenham back into the game.
Against the run of play, Tottenham took the lead in the 25th minute through a deflected Heung-Min Son strike. The goal stemmed from a short corner, with Son left unmarked to control the ball and shoot, the deflection off William Saliba wrong-footing goalkeeper David Raya. While the goal provided Tottenham a boost, it exposed Arsenal’s defensive vulnerabilities and their ongoing struggles to convert dominance into goals.
Arsenal’s equalizer arrived from a controversial corner, awarded despite the ball appearing to go out off Trossard. Declan Rice’s delivery found Gabriel, whose header deflected off Solanke and into the net. While the goal stood, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was visibly furious, believing the corner should not have been given and citing a potential foul in the build-up. This contentious decision proved pivotal, shifting momentum back to Arsenal and further highlighting the fine margins in such a tight contest.
Arsenal’s winning goal arrived just minutes later, capitalizing on a Tottenham error. Yves Bissouma’s misplaced pass in his own half was intercepted by Thomas Partey, who initiated a swift counter-attack. Martin Odegaard’s pass found Trossard, who, unlike his teammates, struck the ball with conviction, beating the Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky at his near post. Trossard’s decisive finish underscored Arsenal’s need for greater directness and clinicality in front of goal.
The second half saw a more disjointed and frantic affair, with both teams making attacking substitutions but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Havertz missed a header, while Odegaard squandered a late opportunity. Tottenham had a few promising counter-attacks but failed to test Raya. The match ultimately reflected the contrasting fortunes of the two sides: Arsenal, despite their shortcomings, remain in the title race, while Tottenham’s season continues to falter.
Beyond the scoreline, the match highlighted several key aspects of both teams. Arsenal’s continued struggles in attack, their reliance on set-pieces for goals, and their defensive vulnerabilities were all on display. The absence of key players like Saka and Jesus clearly impacted their attacking fluency. Tottenham, on the other hand, showed glimpses of promise but lacked the consistency and quality to seriously threaten Arsenal. Their reliance on counter-attacks and set-pieces exposed their own limitations in open play. The contentious refereeing decisions further added to the drama and tension of the derby, emphasizing the importance of officiating accuracy in such close contests.
