Sunday 24 September 2023

Arsenal 2-2 Spurs

Overall, a fair result but Arsenal will rue an opportunity missed by Jesus, which he made for himself in the first half with the score at 1-0. 

Saka's cross-cum-shot opened the scoring and then Spurs hit back with a goal off the post from Son, in what was a pulsating match. Consequently, Raya had just conceded his first goal in an Arsenal shirt. In fact, it will be difficult for Ramsdale to wrestle his shirt back from the Spaniard, if he continues in this form, making at least one world class save of note.

The sucker punch from Son hit Arsenal again, just seconds after Saka had put the Gunners ahead from the spot. Vicario, in the Tottenham goal, did his best to put Saka off, putting one arm out and making the goal look small, but Star Boy was unfazed, chipping it down the centre to make it 2-1. Quite why it took so long for VAR to decide that a handball is a penalty is anyone's guess, but eventually the spot kick was given.

Madison fed Son again within seconds, after robbing Jorginho, who seemed to be dozing on the ball.

In the end, it looks ominous for Arsenal, who were under par in the second half. Excellent performances from Raya, White and Saliba in particular give Arsenal fans reason to believe, as did Jesus's tireless running.

It was good to see Smith-Rowe as a late substitute, but the other substitutes, Havertz and Jorginho, weakened the team.

Most worrying was the loss of Vieira and, especially, Rice, to injury is a massive cause for concern.

Nelson came on and looked dangerous, but Nketiah wasn't at his best, unfortunately, and the same applies to Odegaard.

Saka was man-of-match in the first half, but somehow Spurs managed to contain the threat he presents and a draw was about fair.



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