Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: Honours end even in a pulsating north London derby as Spurs skipper Son Heung-min equalises twice to cancel out Cristian Romero’s own goal and Bukayo Saka’s penalty

• Tottenham picked up their first points at the Emirates since 2019 on Sunday as they drew 2-2 with Arsenal
• There were goals for Son Heung-min and Bukayo Saka, while Cristian Romero turned one into his own net
• Ange Postecoglou’s side stay above Arsenal on goal difference, with both sides four points behind Man City

 If this Ange Postecoglou revolution goes the distance then a Gabriel Jesus miss might just take on folkloric status on one side of this London divide.

Not only were Tottenham trailing with 32 minutes on the clock, they were being dominated. Arsenal looked every inch the classier act. Cohesive, quick and incisive as they were when Jesus took the ball from James Maddison.

Fifteen yards out, in the centre of the goal he blazed over and Spurs came to their senses, picked up the tempo and without abandoning their principles entirely, figured out they should stop dithering around on the ball at the back.

From that point on it was a different game, an even contest and, with Postecoglou’s team on the front foot, operating higher up the pitch their full-backs no longer looked incapable of keeping Bukayo Saka and Jesus under control.

Heung-min Son equalised twice, first to cancel out an own goal by Cristian Romero and then a penalty conceded by the same player and converted by Saka.

Son Heung-min scored a brace on Sudnay as Tottenham drew 2-2 at Arsenal in a thrilling North London derby

He opened the scoring just before the break with a composed finish past Gunners keeper David Raya

It came after Arsenal opened the scoring when Bukayo Saka’s cross was deflected in by Cristian Romero

Tottenham were never ahead and their record at Arsenal in the Premier League remains poor. They have won only once in 30 years and yet they left the Emirates Stadium in positive mood, encouraged by the direction of travel under Postecoglou.

This point might prove a catalyst in their development by instilling belief that they can contend with the best in the Premier League, albeit at the end of a week when Mikel Arteta’s team had to contend with the Champions League and a worrying cluster of injuries.

Not only was this a first North London derby for Postecoglou but also several of his players and they started as if stunned by the intensity. Up front, Arsenal were so quick into the press, unsettling the visitors in a breathless opening phase and forcing passes astray.

Son had the ball in the net from a corner, turning in a shot by Yves Bissouma, but knew he was yards offside. Most of the early action was at the other end, where Guglielmo Vicario came to the rescue when Saka picked out Jesus at the back post.

The angle was tight and the goalkeeper should not have been beaten but he stood tall and showed good reflexes to push the shot clear.

Destiny Udogie was suffering against Saka, and not getting a lot of protection or assistance from Brennan Johnson, making his first Spurs start, wide on the left.

Udogie picked up a yellow card for a late tackle and seemed rattled, seconds later, when a careless pass intended for Micky van de Ven played Eddie Nketiah through on goal. Again, the angle was acute and again Vicario made the save.

But it was no surprise when the opening goal, midway through the first half, came from Arsenal’s right flank. Martin Odegaard swept a pass to Saka, who checked inside onto his left foot. Both Udogie and Johnson were goal-side but neither applied any pressure.

Saka put Arsenal in front just after half time after a controversially awarded penalty but the lead was short lived

Spurs looked certain to score as Brennan Johnson’s shot ended a silky move but Raya got across his goal in spectacular fashion to save the effort

Cristian Romero had an afternoon to forget as he scored an own goal and gave away the penalty that Saka converted

Saka whipped a dangerous cross into the goalmouth and Cristian Romero diverted it clumsily into his own net via his left knee.

Arsenal deserved their lead and almost extended it when Jesus pounced to take the ball from James Maddison as Tottenham tried to play out from deep in their own penalty area. Fifteen yards out, in the centre of the goal, he ought to have scored but fired over.

MATCH FACTS 

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, White, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Vieira (Havertz, 45), Rice (Jorginho, 45), Saka (Smith Rowe, 90+6), Jesus (Nelson, 77) Nketiah

Unused subs: Elneny, Ramsdale, Kwior, Cedric, Tomiyasu

Goals: Romero (o.g, 26) Saka (54)

Booked: Odegaard, Nkeitah

Tottenham: Vicario, Romero, Porro, van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Maddison (Hojberg, 78), Kulusevski, Johnson (Solomon, 63), Sarr, Son (Richarlison, 79)

Unused subs: Skipp, Forster, Veliz, Royal, Dier, Davies

Goals: Son (42, 55)

Bookings: Udogie, Bissouma, Sarr 

It was a huge miss. Not only because it could have taken Arsenal clear but because it prompted Spurs be more direct for a time, a brief change of style deployed great effect as they found a way back into the game.

First, there was an incredible save by David Raya to deny Johnson, who must have thought all he had to do was hit the target when Son pulled a low cross his way. Raya, stranded beyond his near post, flung himself across the goal line to keep out the shot.

The Arsenal goalkeeper, starting his third game in a row, was not so impressive when Tottenham levelled, flapping at a high cross, floated over by Pape Matar Sarr. It allowed the visitors to keep the pressure on.

Udogie headed to Maddison, who shrugged off Saka and found Son, who finished brilliantly despite being in a crowd of red shirts.

Arsenal took the lead again, five minutes into the second half. Ben White’s shot on the turn struck Romero on his left hand, outstretched as he tried to make the block.

Referee Robert Jones failed to see it but was referred to the pitch side monitor by VAR Paul Tierney. Romero had not handled deliberately and White was so close that there was no chance to adjust. Yet his arm was up and the proximity to the goal counted against him. It would probably have gone in had it not struck his hand.

Jones pointed to the spot and Saka scored, clipping his shot down the centre as Vicario sprang right but Spurs responded within a minute.

Jorginho, who replaced Rice in one of two changes forced on Arteta at half-time, was tackled by Maddison as he dithered on the ball in the deep. Maddison carried the ball forward and played in Son who produced another clinical finish.

There were scares at both ends. Son fired into the side-netting and Gabriel cut out a Pedro Porro cross with Son waiting to pounce. Postecoglou threw his hands to his head. Kai Havertz blazed over and Vicario saved from Saka.

Declan Rice was forced off with a a calf injury at half time in what could prove to be a big blow for the Gunners

James Maddison also went down and looked to be in some discomfort, although he was able to play a further 10 minutes before coming off

 

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