Arsenal came from two goals down to draw with Tottenham at the Emirates as the North London Derby produced some terrific moments.
The North London Derby as ever did not disappoint the viewing public as both teams shared the spoils in what was an entertaining draw at the Emirates. It was Arsenal who began the game on the front foot, but two defensive errors in the first half meant Tottenham looked like heading into the break with a 2-0 lead.
But, Alexandre Lacazette then scored right before half-time to give Arsenal some hope. His strike partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leveled things up with 20 minutes left on the clock as the game ended in a 2-2 draw, with the Gunners salvaging a point after conceding twice in the first half.
There was immense praise from the fans for Matteo Guendouzi for his all-round performance. He was smart in his game, contributed defensively and was practically everywhere as Arsenal scored the equaliser and searched for a winner. In short, Arsenal fans were more than satisfied with what they saw from the young Frenchman.
Matteo MOTM today. Did almost everything and showed heart on the pitch
— Osman (@OsmanZtheGooner) September 1, 2019
Guendouzi MOTM #ARSTOT
— Avenell Road N5 (@DonalGolden1) September 1, 2019
Guendouzi man of the match, no arguments #ARSTOT
— Monty Singh (@MontinoPannuzo) September 1, 2019
MATTEO GUENDOUZI. The lad is exceptional. He can fill the void vieira has left since more then a decade ago.
MATTEO The Master! ? #ARSTOT #bossing #guendouzi
— Suhail Kazie (@skaz1e) September 1, 2019
Shout out to #Guendouzi, played like prime zidane today. ??
— ??? (@Lacaera9) September 1, 2019
You can see #Guendouzi bleeds red. He loves the club and plays for the badge. He’s been impressive for a while and is still only young. He is one that I most definitely want to keep hold of. Could be a future captain. #ARSTOT #ARSENAL #COYG
— CanadianGooner (@CanadianGooner1) September 1, 2019
While Guendouzi starred, Granit Xhaka was considered a flop after another below par performance and Twitter wasn’t happy with it.
Does Xhaka have a week playing like Messi in training to be selected? And captain give me strength #garbage #ARSTOT #rotten #leave #
— Xander Russell (@Yorkie1985) September 1, 2019
XHAKA OUT ASAP#ARSTOT
— Franklein_benitez (@benitez_ibezim) September 1, 2019
Xhaka is a terrible footballer!! Brings nothing to the team!! Just gives away poor free kicks and hardly puts in an actual tackle!! So unaware of his surroundings!! Calls for the ball when hes mark!!! Disgraceful performance #arsenal #ARSTOT
— ShanBlack ???? (@ShanBlack001) September 1, 2019
Xhaka… Absolutely atrocious player, absolutely laughable that people think he's Captain material.
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) September 1, 2019
I think the signs since pre season have suggested that Emery wants to phase Xhaka out in favour of Guendouzi (playing Guendouzi deep in pre season, reluctance to confirm Xhaka as captain). Assuming my thinking is right, today can only have accelerated that process imo.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) September 1, 2019
I love Xhaka, always defended him, but you can’t count anymore individual errors he made after which we conceded goals. Like he just turns his brain off few times per game. Another game we dropped points because of it. I just can’t anymore
— Aubazettes (@Aubazettes) September 1, 2019
The referee was also criticised somewhat. Martin Atkinson did catch Dele Alli and Harry Kane while diving, but Twitter was bemused by the lack of cards for the offence.
Atkinson calls dives on Alli & Kane, why no yellows?
— CanGunn444 (@CanGunn444) September 1, 2019
Martin Atkinson’s having an absolute stinker. #ARSTOT
— Brad Rimmer ? (@RimmerBradley) September 1, 2019
Hi @FA and @premierleague. I was wondering about diving. If someone (Dele Alli/Harry Kane) dives, isn't it supposed to be an automatic yellow card? If so, can someone tell that to Martin Atkinson or is the an exemption for being English? #ARSTOT
— Richard Webster (@rw_83) September 1, 2019
Let’s divert our attention from the referee and the others to Arsenal’s attack where Nicolas Pepe played his part. The Ivorian came in for criticism after failing to convert some presentable opportunities. His dribbling is fine and so is his overall game, but what Twitter focused on was his abject finishing.
#Pepe needs so much composure in front of goal & he looses the ball alot which is frustrating… #ARSTOT
We #Arsenal need to reduce our defensive errors. #COYG #InternationaBreak time for @UnaiEmery_ to decide our best starting 11!!!!
— brian kago (@briankago1) September 1, 2019
Aside his assist for Lacazette, Pepe wasn't impressive today. Tottenham always had at least 2 players marking him. He really needs Bellerin to help him drag defenders with his over lapping runs #ARSTOT
— Agbontaen Eseosa (@_ehsosa) September 1, 2019
We need to hire a personal trainer to train Pepe on how to finish, else we will end up with Gervinho 2.0..
Great Dribbler but if he improves the finishing, We might have 2010-2014 CR7 on our hands #ARSTOT#COYG
— кαукℓυz тнα мαηια¢ (@kaykluz) September 1, 2019
Right then, time to round up with some reactions on Arsenal’s overall performance. Some were satisfied but many others rued the missed chance for Arsenal to take all three points.
Spurs celebrating the draw today. ? We dominated them throughout. ?⚪ We just to be more clinical in front of goal and we'll turn these games into W's. ? Oh and defend better as always. ? #ARSTOT
— Eoin Seamus Kelly (@EoinSeamusKelly) September 1, 2019
Cracking and entertaining derby which had it all with some fantastic goals. #kane fell over too easily imo. #ARSEnal have issues in defence which appears haven't been fixed since last season #pepe has settled in fine #NorthLondonDerby #ARSTOT #Tottenham
— Shamir Ali (@ShamirAli786) September 1, 2019
Bit disappointed we didn't get the 3 points today but fair play to the lads for getting back into the game after a poor start. Pepe was decent but think Guendouzi edges him for #MOTM. #ARSTOT
— Kuda (@KudaGodfrey) September 1, 2019