WHAT HAPPENED
We fought from two goals down to claim a share of the spoils from a pulsating north London derby at Emirates Stadium.
The game got off to a typically frenetic start, a frenzy of passes, tackles and fouls - but we settled first, with Nicolas Pepe curling a shot just over and Ainsley-Maitland-Niles seeing a goalbound effort blocked in the area.
But it was the visitors who took the lead as Erik Lamela’s shot from the edge of the area was palmed away by Bern Leno but only into the path of Christian Eriksen, who tapped home.
The German goalkeeper will have been unhappy with his part in the goal, but went some way to redeeming himself shortly afterwards with a spectacular save to push Heung-min Son’s shot around the post.
Leno also had to be alert to push away an Eriksen free kick, but moments later the visitors were awarded a penalty when Granit Xhaka took down Son in the area. Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot.
Pepe would go close again as we searched for a response, and right on the stroke of the interval we found one as Alex Lacazette fired brilliantly into the roof of the net.
That goal changed the whole mood inside the Emirates, and we started the second half firmly on the front foot – and only a fine save from Hugo Lloris prevented Matteo Guendouzi from equalising.
But Tottenham remained a threat on the counter, and they came perilously close to extending their lead when Kane struck the inside of the post from inside the area.
It was breathless, end-to-end stuff and Dani Ceballos soon stepped off the bench, and nearly made an immediate impact, only to see Lloris tip his fierce drive over the bar.
The clock was ticking, but still we kept pushing and probing and we finally had our reward when the impressive Guendouzi charged forward and picked out Aubameyang in the box, who poked beyond Lloris.
We thought we had taken the lead when we bundled the ball in from close range – but it was ruled out after a video review.
That was the final act of note in a thrilling derby in which we showed real character, but just couldn’t quite find a winner.
HOW IT HAPPENED
See how the derby unfolded, including all the standout stats, in our play-by-play commentary.
WHAT IT MEANS
WHAT’S NEXT
We now head into the first international break of the season, before returning to Premier League action at Watford on Sunday, September 15.
The last time we played at Vicarage Road, we ran out 1-0 winners after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a bizarre winner, while Troy Deeney was sent off for the hosts.
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
