Tottenham launched a stirring first-half comeback against Arsenal, only to undo their good work by throwing away their lead as they conceded three unanswered goals and suffered a second successive defeat at the Emirates, losing 4-2 on Sunday.
Spurs, who lost this fixture 2-0 last season, made a dreadful start and fell behind in the 10th minute as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from the penalty spot. Mauricio Pochettino’s side rallied impressively, with Eric Dier heading in and Harry Kane scoring a spot-kick within the space of four minutes as the visitors took a 2-1 lead into the interval. But Arsenal fought back in turn after the break and goals from Aubameyang, half-time substitute Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira took them above their north London rivals in the table on goal difference.
Positives
Christian Eriksen seems to have his eye in when it comes to in-swinging free kicks towards the near post — he has now set up goals against Chelsea and Arsenal with such a delivery. Otherwise, though, this was a very bad day.
Negatives
Having shown good mental strength in the first half, overcoming a dismal start and not only equalising but taking the lead, Tottenham utterly crumbled in the second half.
Spurs would have moved six points ahead of the Gunners if they had held onto their lead but instead they’ve dropped out of the top four altogether. Vertonghen also now faces a suspension after his dismissal.
Manager rating out of 10
5 — It has been a demanding week for Tottenham and Pochettino’s desire to rotate his squad and rest players, particularly those who were at the World Cup, is understandable.
However, this was an odd time to pick Juan Foyth over Toby Alderweireld. Surely the Belgian could have managed one more match and then taken a breather against a less threatening Southampton side at Wembley on Wednesday. Unai Emery had the benefit of fresher players, having rested a host of key men for Thursday’s Europa League match, but his double substitution at half-time sparked his side’s revival, while Pochettino had no answer.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Hugo Lloris, 6 — Can’t really be blamed for the goals and denied the hosts on a few occasions.
DF Serge Aurier, 4 — Looked vulnerable throughout. The Ivorian mis-controlled the ball before conceding the free kick when Arsenal took the lead and then didn’t get close enough to Aubameyang to prevent the Gunners’ second goal.
DF Juan Foyth, 5 — Contributed to Spurs’ early problems with a couple of loose passes and struggled against Arsenal’s pace and movement.
Vertonghen was surprisingly poor against Arsenal, culpable in several goals and capping the day with a sending-off.
DF Jan Vertonghen, 3 — Conceded the penalty that gifted the Gunners their breakthrough with a brainless handball. Then, he allowed Lacazette to get in behind him, turn and score Arsenal’s final goal. A miserable afternoon ended with a sending-off.
DF Ben Davies, 5 — Set the tone for Spurs’ sloppy start when he gave the ball away moments after kick-off. The Welshman made a fine sliding block to stop a Hector Bellerin shot but allowed Aubameyang to come inside and set up Torreira’s goal.
MF Moussa Sissoko, 5 — The Frenchman, who has played throughout all three matches this week, was less influential than in previous outings, with and without the ball.
MF Eric Dier, 5 — Scored the equalising header in the first half but Spurs’ defence too often lacked midfield protection, and Dier was particularly culpable for the fourth goal when he allowed Torreira to run in behind him and finish.
MF Christian Eriksen, 6 — A key figure when Tottenham turned the tide in the first half, with Dane releasing Son Heung-Min on a couple of occasions and then setting up a goal with a deadly free kick for the second weekend in a row. But his influence faded and Arsenal seized control.
MF Dele Alli, 6 — Rarely got any time on the ball but won a number of free kicks and disrupted Arsenal’s build-up play as much as he could.
FW Heung-Min Son, 7 — Posed problems with his pace, like against Chelsea. The South Korean won the penalty that put Spurs ahead while forcing a few saves. He could just have done better with a chance at 2-2, when Bellerin played the ball straight to him outside the box.
FW Harry Kane, 6 — Converted his penalty coolly and tested Leno with a 25-yard free kick was otherwise on the fringes.
Substitutes
MF Harry Winks, N/R — Replaced Alli with his side already 4-2 down and couldn’t do much to change the result.
FW Lucas Moura, N/R — Appeared in the 79th minute and sent a header wide.
DF Danny Rose, N/R — Returned from injury in the closing stages.
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