LONDON IS RED! Arsenal 2-1 Spurs- Player Ratings

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

After going 1-0 down due to an incredible Erik Lamela goal, it was looking as if Arsenal could lose yet another North London Derby. That wasn’t to be. An inspired comeback gave the Gunners the three points, defeating Tottenham 2-1 at the Emirates. Here’s my player ratings…

Starting XI:

Leno – 6 : Had a few shaky moments later on, but didn’t have too much to do. Couldn’t do any better for the Tottenham goal.

Cedric– 6 : Worked relentlessly up the right hand side and gave a very respectable performance. Does the basics well.

Luiz – 7: Didn’t have vast amounts to do, but what he did do, he did well. Kept one of the world’s best strikers quiet for 90 minutes.

Gabriel – 9 : Very close to winning Man of the Match for me. The way he was spraying some of his longer passes was just incredible. He locked down Harry Kane, and he gave that crucial header to stop a clear goal. Brick wall.

Tierney – 8 : Good as ever. Our main source of threat for large parts of the game. Absolutely destroyed Matt Doherty on the left hand side. Combined with Emile Smith Rowe incredibly.

Xhaka – 7 : Dominated the midfield. It is that simple. Controlled on the ball, and balanced well with Thomas Partey. Bar that one mistake against Burnley, he’s been very solid in recent months.

Partey – 7 : Incredible for the first 75 minutes, but clearly tired from then on and the level dropped. Very good on the ball and excellent against press. Showed Hojberg and Ndombele some serious levels.

Saka – 5 : Came off early, apparently due to injury. Hope he is okay.

Ødegaard – 8 : Easily his best performance since coming to the club. Set a standard that he’ll do well to maintain for the rest of the season. Really took control of the tempo today. Very promising. Got his goal, too.

Smith Rowe – 9 (MOTM) : Just incredible. 20 years of age and absolutely running the North London Derby. Created more chances (4) in his 77 minutes on the pitch than all the Tottenham players combined (2). Would have scored the perfect 10 had that shot found the back of the net.

Lacazette – 6: Missed a few chances, but scored the winner. Captained the team to victory in the North London Derby and securely converted his penalty.