EPL 2016/17: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal, 5 talking points

In the 183^rd North London Derby, Arsenal and Tottenham did battle in front of a sold out White Hart Lane. After 90 minutes of enthralling football, it was Spurs who showed us what colour North London truly is. A 2-0 win affirms their recent dominance over Arsenal in the Premier League, painting North London white.

After a scoreless first half, Dele Alli opened the scoring in the 55^th minute with a poacher’s finish. A minute later, Gabriel seemingly brought down Harry Kane and Spurs were awarded a dubious penalty. Inevitably Kane stepped up and converted the resulting penalty, rendering the game as done from there on.

The win allows Tottenham to remain the only team to keep tabs on league leaders Chelsea. For the Gunners, the defeat proves costly as the chance to go within three points of 3^rd placed Liverpool goes amiss. In a weekend where both Manchester teams dropped points, this defeat will sting just that bit more for Arsene Wenger and his men.

Here are the biggest talking points from the game.

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#5 Spurs missed two open goals

Dele Alli scored Tottenham’s opener

The game finished 2-0 to Tottenham but it could have been so much more if Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli had their shooting boots on. In the 22^nd and 26^th minute both Alli and Eriksen missed clear open goals as Petr Cech was left in no man’s land.

In a first half where chances were had to come by, Spurs carved open Arsenal twice in the space of four minutes to no avail. On a different day, the result could have been so much worse. The Gunners were lucky not to go into half time 2-0 down let alone suffer the score at full-time.

#4 Olivier Giroud is a weak link in attack

Olivier Giroud made 3 passes in the attacking third

For as long as we can remember, Olivier Giroud has been Arsenal fan’s annual scapegoat. In his defence, the Frenchman has done nothing but score for the Gunners but it’s his overall link-up play that infuriates fans most.

It’s also Wenger’s undying loyalty to him that annoys fans further. It’s clear the Frenchman was deployed up front against Spurs to occupy the two physically demanding centre-backs in Vertonghen and Alderweireld. However, the 30-year old found no luck aerially or on the ground.

Giroud only mustered 1 shot on target all game as well as giving the ball away seven times. With no service from either of the wing-backs, the 6-footer cut an isolated figure up front. As his physicality was no use, the Frenchman decided to be a hindrance to every attack, as he was seemingly two steps behind Ozil’s thinking at all times.

#3 Both teams played 3-4-2-1

The 2-0 result shows that one manager was able to flexibly adjust to a situation, while the other stayed stuck in his ways

In a day & age where 3 at the back seems to be the new thing, it was no surprise to see both North London clubs line-up in a 3-4-2-1. This meant that both teams went man for man with each other, meaning the work rate of the players & implementation of the system would provide the only difference.

For the first 45 minutes, both teams got accustomed to the lack of space and time on the ball, as they tactically cancelled each other out for the first half.

Once Pochettino sussed out the man for man dynamics, he instructed his players to go out wide, thus stretching play at every opportunity. This forced Arsenal players to commit outside of their delegated zones, meaning spaces began to appear, which Spurs subsequently exposed.

The 2-0 result shows that one manager was able to flexibly adjust to a situation, while the other stayed stuck in his ways.

#2 Kieran Trippier steps up in Kyle Walker’s absence

Kieran Trippier completed 8 passes in the attacking third

The sign of a title-challenging team is being able to have two competent players in each position. Kieran Trippier has seemingly had a breakthrough season at the Lane this year, putting in quality display after quality display.

The former Burnley defender has filled in at both left-back and right wing-back this season, after major injuries to Kyle Walker and Danny Rose. Today was no different as the 26-year old marked Alexis Sanchez out the game.

Trippier won 100% of his aerial duels, completed 100% of his tackles and overturned the ball on 7 separate occasions. It truly was a coming of age performance for the full-back. Kieran was pivotal to Tottenham’s build-up play as well as being critical to maintaining their defensive shape.

#1 Alexis Sanchez should only play up front

Alexis Sanchez only completed 4 dribbles against Tottenham

Does anybody know the reason why Arsene Wenger felt the need to move an in-form striker back to the dreaded left wing? Ever since the switch back to the flanks, Alexis Sanchez has looked a shell of his former self. Throughout the game, the Chilean acted as more of a threat to his own team than to Tottenham.

The 28-year old gave the ball away 12 times in dangerous positions leading to several Tottenham counter-attacks. As a winger, the Chilean is too predictable as he’s forced to receive the ball to feet, meaning he has to risk dribbling or play a lobbed pass.

As a striker, Sanchez’s game relies on through balls allowing him to run in behind defences. The Chilean running onto balls on goal is where he’s at his most dangerous.