Tottenham Hotspur came from behind twice to secure a hard-earned point in the north London derby against Arsenal in a thriller at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
At the Emirates Stadium, Son of South Korea tied the game after an own goal by Cristian Romero put Ange Postecoglou’s team behind in the first half.
These bitter rivals both continued their unbeaten starts to the Premier League season despite a second-half penalty from Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and a game-winning goal from Son.
After this intense match, there is more proof that Postecoglou, who came to Spurs from Celtic in the offseason, has turned around a troubled club. Spurs are currently in fourth place, ahead of Arsenal in fifth place due to goal difference.
There was a lot to like about Postecoglou’s squad, despite the fact that they have only won once in their last 31 league trips to Arsenal and haven’t won on the road since 2010.
Not only did they display remarkable resolve by bouncing back from two goal deficits against Arsenal, but they also did so with the kind of exciting play that had been so lacking under Antonio Conte.
Despite losing Harry Kane, the club’s all-time leading scorer, to Bayern Munich in the offseason, Postecoglou has led Tottenham to a 6-0-0 record in the Premier League.
Arsenal had a disappointing afternoon, as they fell four points behind Manchester City in the title race.
Saka scooped a pinpoint cross to the far post, and Gabriel Jesus’ half-volley forced a fine save from Guglielmo Vicario as Arsenal got off to a blistering start.
If that was a carefully crafted opportunity for Arsenal, then Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie handed them their second chance.
Eddie Nketiah took advantage of a poor backpass from Udogie by intercepting the ball and unleashing a powerful shot that was blocked by Vicario at the near post.
Arsenal piled on the pressure, and in the 26th minute they took the lead—albeit in the luckiest way possible.
Spurs’ defenders were caught off guard, allowing Saka to rush into the area and unleash a curling shot that was deflected wildly by Romero’s outstretched leg and sped past Vicario, who was caught flat-footed.
Saka imitated James Maddison’s goal celebration as the dejected Tottenham midfielder trudged back to the centre circle, adding insult to injury.
David Raya, starting in goal for Arsenal for the third straight game in place of Aaron Ramsdale, made a fantastic save to deny Brennan Johnson’s goal near the end of the first half.
Raya misjudged a cross in the attack that resulted in the visitor’s equaliser in the 42nd minute, as Tottenham was gaining momentum.
Raya was able to stop Johnson’s shot by weakly palming the ball away instead of catching it, but Tottenham still gained possession and passed it to Maddison.
Maddison got his own back on Saka for teasing him earlier by avoiding the winger and cutting a low cross towards Son, who expertly flicked his shot past Raya from six yards out.
After Arteta replaced an injured Declan Rice with Jorginho at halftime, Arsenal retook the lead just over ten minutes later.
After consulting the pitchside monitor, referee Robert Jones gave Ben White a penalty after the hapless Romero blocked the shot with his hand.
Saka coolly stroked the penalty kick past Vicario, and instead of continuing to make fun of Maddison, he celebrated by sliding joyfully on his knees.
Unbelievably, Arsenal’s lead lasted all of 55 seconds before Tottenham scored again.
Again, it was Maddison who started the play by dispossessing Jorginho in the middle of the pitch and setting up Son for a clinical finish.
Son nearly won it late, but his shot hit the side netting, while Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal headed narrowly wide and Saka’s effort was well saved by Vicario.
Photo by EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
