The North London derby – Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – has always been a tight affair in the Premier League, and things did not look any different in the tough clash at the Emirates on Sunday. Arsenal and Spurs shared points each after a 1-1 draw.
It was unfortunate for Spurs' Kevin Wimmer, whose own goal allowed Arsenal the lead in the first half, but that was cancelled out by Harry Kane's penalty kick in the 51st minute. To be fair, the draw was a fair result for both teams.
The first fifteen minutes of the match did not produce much action if one talks about the efforts on goal, which was few in between. Arsenal were quite impressive in the initial exchanges and were putting pressure on the Spurs players, playing a high pressing game. Spurs, on the other hand, also looked good in the counter, and threatened offensively.
As the game progressed in the first half, Spurs were trying to play aerial balls from the right and left, looking for Harry Kane to get his head on the ball to break the deadlock. Arsenal were playing some good football, and asking questions to the Spurs defense.
Arsenal's passing game was good, and they got some decent chances with some crisp passing in Spurs half. Alex Iwobi missed one of the best chances for Arsenal in the 32nd minute when he was set up by Alexis Sanchez, but the Nigerian's shot was struck straight to the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
The Gunners were threatening to score, and Theo Walcott came close as well, but his venomous shot hit inside of the near post to deny Arsenal the lead. The home team finally earned the lead with Mesut Ozil's free kick producing an own goal with Spurs' Wimmer getting his head to the ball at the wrong end of the pitch. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the home side.
Spurs started the second half brightly. They drew level with Kane converting a penalty in the 52nd minute after Mousa Dembele was brought down inside the box.
Just a couple of minutes later, Christian Eriksen came close to scoring Spurs second, but Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, who did not have much to do in the first half, came up with a good save to keep it level. Spurs, after scoring the goal, were taking the game to the Gunners, who looked rattled.
With both teams tied at 1-1, Arsenal and Spurs were looking for that all-important second goal to give the team an edge in the tie. In search of that goal, Arsenal brought in their French striker Olivier Giroud in the 71st minute. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also walked onto the pitch with 19 plus minutes remaining.
Spurs were unlucky not to score a goal in the 83rd minute as Eriksen's free kick was launched at the back post, and there was no visitors' player to nod the ball in. The ball missed everyone and, luckily for Arsenal, hit the post.
The home team enjoyed a decent spell in the last few minutes of regulation time, but Arsenal could not score despite Giroud getting a decent chance to seal the game with a header in the 90th minute. The match ended 1-1 with both teams taking a point each from the contest.
