Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Player Ratings
Arsenal rolled back the years to put Tottenham in their place with a comfortable 2-0 victory at the Emirates. Shkodran Mustafi gave Arsenal a vital lead with a powerful header in the 36th minute. Alexis Sanchez doubled their lead five minutes later following which the Gunners cruised to the finish line, well and truly proving that North London is still red.
Take a look at how the players fared in the fascinating encounter at the Emirates:
Arsenal
Petr Cech - 8/10
Cech put in a stellar display in between the posts for the Gunners. He made a great save diving to his right in the first half off a well-struck Christian Eriksen drive, keeping Arsenal in the lead. He produced another blinder in the second period, keeping out a powerful Eric Dier header which would have got Spurs back in the game.
Hector Bellerin - 7.5/10
Bellerin caused the Spurs defence plenty of problems with his runs down the flank. He was unlucky not to have an assist after his low cross could not be turned in by Lacazette early in the first half. Bellerin's defensive abilities have been questioned quite often this season but he looked relatively untroubled on the night. His forays forward also ensured Spurs' fullbacks didn't venture too deep into Arsenal territory thereby making life easier for the Arsenal backline.
Shkodran Mustafi - 9/10
Mustafi was not even certain to start this game, however, after passing a late fitness test, took his place in the middle of defence alongside Koscielny. The German had an answer to everything Kane and co. threw at him at the back. More importantly, though, he broke the deadlock in the first half with a great header off a Mesut Ozil freekick, giving Lloris in the Spurs goal no chance. He made a whopping 14 clearances in total, helping the Gunners maintain a clean sheet. Man of the Match for me.
Laurent Koscielny - 8/10
Koscielny was a rock in the Arsenal defence, easily dealing with the likes of Kane, Eriksen and Alli. With 11 clearances, four interceptions and three tackles, the Frenchman put in a mature performance in a massive game for the Gunners.
Nacho Monreal - 7/10
A yellow card took some of the shine away from Monreal's performance who otherwise did not put a foot wrong.
Sead Kolasinac - 6.5/10
Kolasinac did not make too many marauding runs forward tonight, but was steady enough in defence, keeping Kieran Trippier in check for most of the game.
Granit Xhaka - 5/10
How Xhaka is still getting starts is beyond me. In what was a scintillating display by the home side, Xhaka was the lone negative. A crucial slip in the second half allowed Eriksen in behind the defence and it was only Mustafi's brilliance that prevented Spurs from pulling one back. A booking added to his woes.
Aaron Ramsey - 7/10
Ramsey added a lot of energy to Arsenal's midfield. He produced two exquisite through balls, first to Bellerin who saw his cross go agonisingly close to Lacazette's boot.
Mesut Ozil - 8/10
Ozil had his best game in an Arsenal shirt this season. Although his passing was a bit lacking, it was his pinpoint freekick that led to the Gunners' opening goal. The German even managed to outmuscle Dembele and Vertonghen during the match, which was a pleasant surprise for the Gunners fans.
Alexis Sanchez - 8.5/10
Sanchez grew into the game as it progressed and got Arsenal's second goal with a powerful finish from close range. He was unlucky not to get a second late in the second half, with Lloris making a good low save after the Chilean had muscled his way into the box. This performance would have certainly pleased the Arsenal manager and fans who have been rather frustrated with the Chilean's unenthusiastic showings this season.
Alexandre Lacazette - 7/10
Lacazette did not have his scoring boots on today. The Frenchman missed a glorious chance early on to give his side the lead, blazing one over the post from just inside the box. However, he caused the Spurs defence plenty of problems with his runs in between the defenders. He came close to getting on the scoresheet later on as well, but was just inches away from getting his foot onto the end of a Hector Bellerin cross. He did provide the assist for the second goal, beating the offside trap and squaring to Sanchez who did the rest.
Substitutes
Francis Coquelin - 5/10
Coquelin replaced Lacazette in an attempt to help maintain Arsenal's lead and he did that well enough.
Alex Iwobi - N/A
Iwobi came on in the 83rd minute and did not have enough time to impact the game.