Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham: Unlikely 9/10 and 4/10 dished out | Football | Sport
Eberechi Eze celebrating the second of his two goals against Tottenham. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal delivered a stinging blow to Manchester City in the Premier League title race by getting one over their local rivals, Tottenham, in a 4-1 away win. Eberechi Eze haunted Spurs yet again, after his November hat-trick, by opening the scoring with his first Premier League shot on target since the third of his goals that day. But Igor Tudor’s side responded perfectly and equalised just 24 seconds after the restart, Randal Kolo Muani stripped Declan Rice of the ball and rifled an effort in.
Moments into a second half that was delayed by another technology issue, Viktor Gyokeres fired a stunning effort past Guglielmo Vicario, perhaps finally announcing himself to Arsenal. Eze popped up with a second after pouncing on a loose ball as the Gunners sealed three vital points in their title hunt, with Gyokeres providing the cherry on top of the cake in stoppage time. Here, Express Sport rates a dominant Arsenal team…
Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham (4-3-3)
Out like a flash on numerous occasions and his starting position was superb. Little he could do to stop Kolo Muani’s powerful effort and was dominant in the air. Appeared to defy physics with the elasticity of his arm, clawing the ball off the line late on to keep Arsenal’s two-goal advantage.
Overlapped Bukayo Saka well on occasion and kept Xavi Simons quiet. Replaced after 57 minutes as he began to tire in the second half.
Needed to be much stronger when Kolo Muani breezed past him to score.
Not his typically dominant self in both boxes but a steady game and did little wrong. Was awarded a soft free-kick for a push by Kolo Muani before the striker thought he bagged a second.
Continued his impressive form as he keeps Riccardo Calafiori out of the team. Strong in possession and a tough defender, a very neat addition to this Arsenal squad.
Kept the ball moving but with little impetus. Unchallenged by the Spurs midfield in the second half.
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Viktor Gyokeres’ stunning effort put Arsenal into the lead. (Image: Getty)
An uncharacteristic mistake on the edge of his own penalty box allowed Kolo Muani to score. For some reason, Rice tried to dribble around the striker, only to get his pocket pinched and then he was punished. Had his blushes spared again by David Raya as the goalkeeper prevented another goal from a Rice error.
Handed a chance to replicate his hat-trick hero efforts against Spurs earlier in the season, with Martin Odegaard only fit enough for the bench, and duly took it. He loves playing in this derby, against the team he nearly joined this summer, and took his first goal well after the ball flew up in the air and he rifled past Vicario. One of his better games in an Arsenal shirt, popping up left and right to cause all kinds of problems and he was in the right position once again, following up Saka’s effort to tap into an empty net.
Persistent while back on the right flank, though came up against Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven in impressive form. Did well to find Eze for an assist after a bit of luck to poke the ball past Pape Matar Sarr. Worryingly hobbled off the pitch late on.
His best performance in an Arsenal shirt, even without the brace. A very lively start and found the left channel before cutting inside and firing just wide, though it was an attempt at a goal he scored regularly in Sporting, but not at Arsenal. However, the effort he tucked away was done with such aplomb that it’s a wonder how Gyokeres has not scored more regularly this season. He hit that channel once more in stoppage time and outmuscled Archie Gray to bag a second. Perhaps this could get his Arsenal career properly underway.
Quieter game than usual and more was needed from the Belgian. Disappointing from a usually reliable star.
Cristhian Mosquera (57′) – 7
Very capable at right-back as Jurrien Timber was given a breather, with the conveyor belt of versatile defenders at Arsenal only more impressive every week.
Martin Odegaard (77′) – 7
Helped steady the ship and see out the win. A late assist for Gyokeres.
Gabriel Martinelli (77′) – 6
Did more defending than attacking but tracked back well.
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