Arguably the biggest reason for Spurs’ late surge was an Arsenal substitution. Gabriel Martinelli came on for Leandro Trossard and was considerably less disciplined, which isolated Takehiro Tomiyasu against Johnson.
Arteta could be seen giving detailed and persistent instructions to Martinelli to work harder in dropping back, but the visitors couldn’t stem the tide on that side until the Arsenal manager moved to a back five and went into full retreat.
They did enough – just about, leaving Postecoglou to rue his initial team selection.
Match-winner Havertz is sensational as false nine
The match swung on the Van de Ven disallowed goal at 1-0. On another day this match goes very differently, and yet Arsenal were arguably deserved winners simply because they had the best player on the pitch.
Havertz was sublime. This was surely his best display in an Arsenal shirt and perhaps in the Premier League full stop.
“He was sensational in every department today. He wasn’t 100 per cent today, he was ill before the match and was struggling a bit but he still put in the performance that he put in. I thought he was unbelievable today,” Arteta said.
Each sub helped: Richarlison added much-needed aggression up against Gabriel and William Saliba; Yves Bissouma complemented Sarr; and, most important of all, Brennan Johnson’s direct running was a major upgrade down Spurs’ right.
Arguably the biggest reason for Spurs’ late surge was an Arsenal substitution. Gabriel Martinelli came on for Leandro Trossard and was considerably less disciplined, which isolated Takehiro Tomiyasu against Johnson.
Arteta could be seen giving detailed and persistent instructions to Martinelli to work harder in dropping back, but the visitors couldn’t stem the tide on that side until the Arsenal manager moved to a back five and went into full retreat.
They did enough – just about, leaving Postecoglou to rue his initial team selection.
Match-winner Havertz is sensational as false nine
The match swung on the Van de Ven disallowed goal at 1-0. On another day this match goes very differently, and yet Arsenal were arguably deserved winners simply because they had the best player on the pitch.
Havertz was sublime. This was surely his best display in an Arsenal shirt and perhaps in the Premier League full stop.
“He was sensational in every department today. He wasn’t 100 per cent today, he was ill before the match and was struggling a bit but he still put in the performance that he put in. I thought he was unbelievable today,” Arteta said.