Arsenal 5 - Spurs 2

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Arsenal 5 - Spurs 2

Postby TheArsenalPost » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:02 pm

http://thearsenalpost.co.uk/2012/11/17/ ... ch-report/

It’s déjà vu for Arsenal as they beat bitter rivals Spurs 5-2 for the second time in a calendar year. This win lifts the Gunners to sixth in the table, at least for the time being.

The North London derby really is a thing of beauty, anything can truly happen and it did. Arsenal came from behind to register their first win in the League since late October.

It was a fantastic result for Arsenal who needed a win by any means after their recent run of poor performances and confidence will now be high for their next fixture, a Champions League clash with French champions Montpellier.
Wenger made two changes to the side who were held to a draw by Fulham last weekend. Wojciech Szczesny reclaimed his number 1 spot in goal after missing two months of actions and Jack Wilshere came back into the side after finishing his suspension. Arteta, Sagna, Giroud, Cazorla and Walcott were all cleared to start after having late fitness tests giving Arsenal an almost full strength starting XI.

The opening few minutes were a little slow as both sides tried to feel their way into the game. Then, as is becoming almost customary with Arsenal of late, they were breached twice in quick succession.

First William Gallas was flagged offside after he curled a fantastic shit into the net. The second goal however did stand after just 10 minutes, Arsenal were behind. Jermain Defoe beat the defence and escaped down the left. His shot was kept out well by Szczesny who got down low, but the parry wasn’t enough to keep Adebayor from taking the scraps and poking the ball in from 3 yards.

Moments later Spurs almost doubled their lead when Aaron Lennon’s shot flew just past the far post.
The 4-4-2 formation Spurs were using seemed to be working well. They had settled and were frustrating the home side who had failed to create anything so far.

That would all change though when Adebayor made his most telling contribution. The Togolese striker took out Cazorla with a very poor challenge. His studs were showing and he saw red after just 17 minutes.

The sending off killed the visitors flow and Arsenal pounced.

Walcott was terrorising Spurs down the right hand side and managed to pick out none other than Per Mertesacker in the box who sent a bullet of a head past Lloris to level in the 24th minute. A great header and a great game to score your first ever goal in English football.

Arsenal were beginning to press and were creating some great chances. Hugo Lloris made a super save to deny Giroud’s powerful header, Santi Cazorla sent a wicked, swerving shot just over the bar and Sagna’s delightful cross was met by Giroud but the keeper was equal to it.

Looking for the safety the half-time whistle Spurs switched off for a moment which allowed Jack Wilshere’s ball to be nudged through by Tom Huddlestone. Podolski chased the ball down and his shot hit the heel of Gallas before bouncing over the line.

With half-time fast approaching Arsenal stole a third. Theo Walcott’s free-kick was charged down by was collected by Cazorla who beat the challenge, slipped but still managed to get the ball to the byline and into the box for Giroud to slip home. Classy.

The second half got underway and Villas-Boas introduced Clint Dempsey and Michael Dawson at the restart, playing with only three at the back.

A ballsy move, but one that gave his side the edge in the opening stages. They began to move the ball well but it was only a matter of time before the extra man counted for Arsenal.

On the hour, Giroud picked the ball out of the air and played in to Podolski on the left who fired the ball across the face of goal toward Cazorla who couldn’t miss.

Arsenal were 4-1 up and looking at all three points, but that is no excuse for switching off like they did. The deficit was reduced after Bale arrowed the ball into the corner of the net 19 minutes from time. He almost grabbed another but his shot went wide.

In an attempt to see out the game Arsenal kept possession fantastically and finally killed it off with a fifth goal. Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fed Walcott in from of goal and the Englishman really couldn’t miss.

A great comeback for Arsenal who really need to kick-start their season.
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Re: Arsenal 5 - Spurs 2

Postby jacobharris » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:03 pm

lol at gallas's fantastic shit
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Re: Arsenal 5 - Spurs 2

Postby TheArsenalPost » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:05 pm

;)

Glad someone spotted that. I do hate Mr Gallas.
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