All square at Arsenal, with one side much happier about it. Everyone else would at least have been greatly entertained by it.
This was yet another north London derby that swung back and forth in absorbing fashion, adding to the archive of classic games played between these rivals. But once it settled into a 2-2 draw, it was Tottenham celebrating more.
They have been given huge encouragement for the future, after displaying adventure and resilience in a match many might not have considered them quite ready for. That is the effect of Ange Postecoglou, which was all the more impressive given how Arsenal had posed the most testing questions for the first half-hour. Mikel Arteta’s side, however, might again be feeling the effects of a title race with Manchester City. September isn’t even over yet and they already find themselves four points behind, and with the champions to come here in two weeks. That might be without Declan Rice, who went off with a calf injury that proved decisive.
If it feels ludicrous to be talking about titles at such an early stage, just as it was with Arsenal’s victory over Manchester United, but these are the stakes of the Premier League right now. This is perhaps the state of the Arsenal team right now: so promising but still missing a few elements. One is depth, as could be seen with how easy their defence was to get at for both of Son Heung-Min’s goals. Another is extra-level quality in attack. For all that this draw ultimately came down to Arsenal failing to keep their lead, a large part of that was the encouragement Spurs enjoyed from their attack being able to extend it.
It already raises the question over whether the Gunners will go big in January. They could have had a substantial lead here. That is what will be so frustrating.
Spurs and Postecoglou, however, were rewarded for their bravery. That could well be a theme going forward. It has already been a theme of the season, as Spurs again defied expectations.
They should not have been ready for this north London derby against a side that finished second last season. They were instead prepared to pounce on any Arsenal slip.
That is what this whole game amounted to. Arsenal could really have killed the game before any semblance of a contest had even developed. It was set up for them. Postecoglou’s approach initially seemed rather naive given how nascent his team is, and it left Destiny Udogie exposed on the left. Saka consistently had 15 metres of space around him, and it wasn’t long before he made use of that. Having turned Udogie again, Saka saw the space open up and looked to curl the ball into the far corner. Romero intervened and turned it into the near corner.
Saka led Arsenal’s fast start— (Getty)
Arsena had the chance to take full command. Gabriel Jesus couldn’t seize it, though, blazing one key effort over.
It does perhaps raise one of the final questions in the formation of this Arsenal team. Are they still lacking that finisher? Jesus is a brilliant link forward but he lacks that ruthlessness.
It allowed Spurs back in.
With the manner that Saka had got at Guglielmo Vicario’s defence in the opening half-hour, the Spurs manager could have been forgiven for altering formation and tightening up. He did the opposite. In a move that feels like it’s going to be symbolic of what is to come under Postecoglou, he doubled down, ensuring his left flank always had at least two in attack rather than defence.
It made the difference. In a five-minute flurry, Brennan Johnson forced two big saves from David Raya – one a brilliantly instinctive response that Mikel Arteta will feel vindicated his decision to leave out Aaron Ramsdale again – before Spurs eventually forced their way in.
This was a turnaround in more ways than one. It was suddenly Saka given a tough time as James Maddison so easily got around him to set up Son.
Son fires Tottenham’s first equaliser— (Getty)
It was not the last time that the duo made such a testing occasion look easy.
Before then, though, Arsenal had contrasting developments. Declan Rice went off with a calf injury. Saka scored a penalty from a Romero handball. Both contributed to what happened.
With Arsenal seeming like they were still celebrating the goal, and substitute Jorginho so casual on the ball, Maddison just stepped up and took it off him. It was reminiscent of the way Germany just cut through Brazil in that 7-1 World Cup rout in how simple it was; all the more surprising given Arsenal were apparently in a relatively secure position. They were anything but. Son was put clean through to just slide the ball past Raya for his second.
Son and Maddison celebrate finishing a Spurs counterattack— (Getty)
Spurs didn’t quite settle for that but Arsenal did ensure their opponents couldn’t set foot beyond the halfway much late on. For all the pressure, though, there was no big chance. There was no difference-maker to bring on.
Arteta threw on Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe. It felt like a show of faith rather than any display of superiority.
So it proved.
It was an early season derby that hinted at what is ahead for both teams in 2023/24 – and it could have repercussions beyond just the result.
