Arsenal Vs Tottenham - arsenal vs tottenham: Arteta on Saka, Gyokeres braces and Tudor debut
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points with a 4-1 win over Tottenham in the north London derby in a match that left fans worrying about Bukayo Saka after he hobbled off. The Arsenal vs Tottenham clash featured braces for Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres and an unideal start to Igor Tudor's interim reign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Match outcome and scorers
Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1, with Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres each scoring twice. Eze returned to the side and notched his first goals since his hat-trick in the reverse fixture back in November, while Gyokeres helped himself to a brace in the second half, including a stoppage-time strike.
Saka injury and treatment
Bukayo Saka limped off late after a heavy fall in which Spurs midfielder Xavi Simons landed on his ankle. Saka received treatment from Arsenal medical staff before being replaced by Noni Madueke. He was helped back to his feet at the 90th minute but hobbled off as seven minutes of stoppage time was signalled. Saka nevertheless played a full part in the post-match celebrations, which suggests his issue may not be too bad, though Mikel Arteta will be hoping the problem is not serious.
Key incidents and discipline
The match produced a series of late incidents. At 88 minutes Simons did well in a sandwich between Saka and Zubimendi to win Spurs a free-kick; attempts to take the set-piece quickly were rejected by the referee as Saka required treatment. At 90+2 minutes Simons looped the ball to the back post but Saliba mopped it up. At 86 minutes Bissouma was shown a yellow card, described as much out of frustration and for dissent rather than for the foul on Gyokeres. At 90+4 minutes Gary Neville awarded Gyokeres the Man of the Match honour.
Managerial and stadium notes
Igor Tudor’s interim reign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium began in unideal fashion; the Croat oversaw his first game in English football in this fixture. The event was described as a huge afternoon in north London, with match coverage and expert insight provided by Matt Verri and Dom Smith at the ground.
Wider implications and context
The win restored Arsenal’s five-point lead at the Premier League summit, though Mikel Arteta’s side had their cushion cut to just two by Manchester City, who beat Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday night. Spurs remain in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle, still sitting four points clear of the drop zone after both Nottingham Forest and West Ham failed to win across the weekend. Arsenal have now won both north London derbies this season by the same 4-1 scoreline.
Randal Kolo Muani had levelled matters for Tottenham after Eze’s first-half opening goal, before Gyokeres restored Arsenal’s lead after the break and added another in stoppage time following Eze’s second. Bukayo Saka’s season form was noted: he has scored eight times and provided seven assists in all competitions, has previously endured hamstring and hip problems this term, and has signed a contract that ties him to the club until 2031. After the contract news Mikel Arteta said: "I think they are all very important. We are very happy that the players are feeling in such a strong way about the club and what we are doing and the way they feel treated and the fact that they can continue to improve and win what we want to win together. Bukayo’s news, obviously, is great, he’s one of our own, we got him here since he was very, very little. For him to make that decision and the club to be so aligned with him, I think it’s a really positive thing. "
Arsenal are back in action next Sunday when they take on Chelsea at the Emirates.
