From Hale End to rolling back the years in the North London derby, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka stole the show in Arsenal’s obliteration of Tottheham Hotspur as Thierry Henry watched from the stands.
(L-R) Emile Smith Rowe celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal with (R) Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal made it three Premier league wins on the bounce after previously losing as many in succession with a comprehensive 3-1 win over their North London rivals to move up on the standings.
The Gunners are starting to get into life in the new season and have slowly overcome their poor start and at the same time pilling more misery on their neighbour, whose run of poor results seem never ending anytime soon.
As expected, the battle between this two is always tense and the atmosphere is different as always, after all both fans will be looking to earn the bragging rights on the street of North London.
The Gunners made the better side with Emile Smith Rowe firing them in front from a square ball in the area from fellow Hale End graduate, Bukayo Saka, after just 12 minutes played.
Three minutes before the half hour mark, the English Midfielder turned provider as his left-footed cross managed to beat Davison Sanchez and got to captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who connects well to make his eight goals in 12 games against Spurs.
Bukayo Saka scored the third, but Harry Kane played a significant role in that one, as it was the England captain who had previously loss possession on the edge of the Arsenal area, and eager to atone for his error, he could only intercept a loose ball in his own penalty area, and Saka keep his head up to fire past Hugo Lloris from close range.
Sergio Reguilon and and Hueng-Min Son connect to score a goal that proved consolation for Tottheham, the later shot managing to beat fantastic Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal.
Nuno Santos side then pressed on the momentum and almost scored a second but for Ramsdale outstretched hand managing to push Lucas Moura’s shot to the crossbar, and Takehiro Tomiyasu was on hand to clear the danger.
Arsenal held of for their second consecutive victory in the North London derby, and a fourth consecutive win in all competition, overcoming the dismal start to the season.
Speaking after the game, Bukayo Saka said; “Yesterday at breakfast we spoke about this ‘Imagine how it would feel to score in a north London derby’. When Emile scored I looked at him & we remembered the conversation. When I scored he looked at me & it was a very, very special feeling for us to do it in this stadium.”
Emile Smith Rowe also admit this (the Tottenham Hotspur game) is the best day of his life, saying he had always dreamt of scoring for Arsenal against Tottheham Hotspur.
A much needed confident boost for the side and a win to lift spirits around the club. Mikel Arteta side can now look forward to their next game against a side who have been a revelation this season, Brighton.
In attendance was Thierry Henry, the Arsenal legend who never lost a game against Tottenham in his playing days will be very proud of what he saw on the evening at the Emirates.
For Tottenham Hotspur, they have lost their good start to the season and a North London derby defeat is another upset amongst the fans. Nuno Santos will be hopeful to get things right next time they return to action, as they are now on a run of five games without a win (for games ending in 90 minutes)
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
