North London Derby Recap: Arsenal 5 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

Fewer games fill both set of fans with as much excitement and dread as the North London Derby, and it never fails to deliver maximum entertainment. This particular one is no exception as the home team came back from a 2 goal deficit to winning the game at 5-2. Four different Arsenal goalscorers graced the scoresheet today, three of which are not the usual names people expected.

 

It was not a good start for the Gunners as they looked nervy and incompetent on their own pitch during the first 20 or 25 minutes of the game. Spurs grew more and more confident in the attack and took advantage of the shambolic defense who gave them acres of space to test Szczesny’s between-the-sticks skills.

But as demotivating as it was to have the Spurs score early on from a Saha strike and having a penalty given for Gareth Bale's acting chops which former Gunner Adebayor converted cleanly—insult to injury—Arsenal managed to turn the game around at 40^th minute from a powerful Sagna header.

 

Before half time, Van Persie released a left-footed volley that served as the equalizer, but it really only was a matter of time before the Arsenal skipper scored. He had a few decent attempts earlier in the game, but hasn't had any luck until that 43rd min goal.

Tottenham had a double change just after the second half whistle blew which saw Saha and Kranjcar replaced by Van der Vaart and Sandro, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference as the Gunners came out renewed and determined to terrorize Friedel and the Tottenham defenders. At the 50^th minute, Rosicky managed to slip behind Ledley King  and slotted a goal right past the Tottenham keeper. Cue: The Emirates going crazy.

Theo Walcott, who has been the weakest link during the first half had a much better showing during the second. Whatever was said to him at half time must have been incredibly effective, resulting in a brace for the winger. For the first time in a while, he walked off the pitch with a standing ovation from the home fans.

 

It was back and forth after that, with Arsenal dominating the latter in possession and attack. Clearly, a three-goal difference was not enough for them. Unfortunately for Arsenal, no more goals came even though good ol' Scotty was sent off at the 87^th minute for a stamp on Vermaelen.

The win decreased the point difference between the rivals, who are 3rd and 4th in the table, with the Spurs leading by 7 points. It's still a huge margin by any standards, but nevertheless, North London is red today.

Written by: Janina Montoya