a loss at the Emirates would see Arsenal pass us in the table on goal differential. combine that with a Chelsea win v Fulham at the Bridge and we'd be down to 5th. good job we're better than them. this will be a tough match, without question; but our form's been very good going into the December stretch that's been heretofore solid for Poch's teams. I'd be more confident if they hadn't, frankly, handled us at the Emirates last season. But we're getting healthy and improved performances from the likes of Dele and Son - to say nothing of Sissoko - have had us looking formidable. would I take a draw? I suppose. but my week will be much better if we can take all three points. as long as we make a fist of it and play well, i'll be ok in the end. COME ON YOU SPURS, though. it's the North London Derby. let's have it.
We have the front 4, all fit and firing, plus quality in reserve. We have Dier looking solid. We may not have Mousa to partner him, but we do have Mousa. We have the best centre back pairing in world football ready for tomorrow, SuperJan and Alderweireld. We have four superb full backs to choose from. We have the world cup winning captain in goal. We press high up the pitch and force mistakes, creating chances. If the opposition dominates the ball we've got pace on the counter. If they sit back, we're excellent in possession. If they turn it into a scrap, we roll our sleeves up and give it back. And just for good measure, Harry Kane loves scoring against Arsenal. COME ON YOU SPURS!
We look a team on the verge of being good enough... but not. Vertonghen's error... ARGH!!! But, I do love how Son is relentless. Just now, lost the ball at the edge of the box to three Arsenal defenders, yet found a way to poke the ball out from among them to a fellow attacker.
Bare touch to change direction just enough to befuddle the keeper who missed the ball. and PENALTY!!!
Well... this began to suck royally... a little incautious unfocused play and our hearts are ripped out.
As usual, our penchant for giving away sloppy goals away to Big 6 opposition did us in. Right from the opening kick-off, Davies gave the ball away and that set the tone for the match. Three errors lead to the first goal. Aurier, who was dreadful, missed an easy intercept and then gave away a brainless free kick which led to Vertonghen's madness and the penalty. Then when it looked like we would at least get a draw, Foyth coughed up another rickett and it was game over. To be fair, we have been making the same mistakes in other games, but the lesser opposition doesn't have the quality to punish us. And what was the Gaffer thinking by sitting Toby on the bench? Another strange selection decision that proved to be costly, just like in the CL game at Inter. Not only were we outplayed, we were out-managed, as Emery had the balls to change it when it wasn't working for them, while our man sat on his hands until the game was out of reach.
not that he was the worst on the pitch, but Sissoko came back to his prior form as well. none of the back 6 played well IMO
Dier and Sissoko were completely bypassed by the Arsenal forwards. Our defenseive shape was non-existent. The loss of Dembele is huge in this kind of game. Wanyama, who was immense two seasons ago, is looking like a write-off, so the failure to strengthen the midfield in the off-season has proven to be costly.
Despite the defeat, it is interesting to see where we were a year ago after 14 PL games: This year: W10, D0, L4, 30PTS, 25GF, 15GA Last year: W7, D3, L4, 24PTS, 22GF, 12GA So 6 points better off and that with 9 games away out of 14. However, the top 5 is much stronger. Last year at this time, only 2 teams had 30 points or more (Man City and Man Utd), while this year 5 have 30 or more. Now if we can match our performance of last year over the final 24 games, where we amassed 53 points, it would be an incredible season. BTW, that game was our first PL defeat when leading at HT since 2015 (43W, 3D). In fact, we had won 34 of the last 34 after leading at HT.