Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance60,156.
Match report and free highlights as Arsenal and Tottenham drew 2-2 in the North London derby; Cristian Romero's own goal gave Arsenal the lead but Heung-Min Son equalised; Bukayo Saka's penalty put the Gunners ahead again after half-time but Jorginho's mistake gave Son an equaliser
Monday 25 September 2023 06:05, UK
Bukayo Saka and Heung-Min Son starred as Arsenal and Tottenham could not be separated in a pulsating, topsy-turvy North London derby which ended in a 2-2 draw.
A Super Sunday thriller began with Cristian Romero deflecting Saka's shot into his own net as Arsenal controlled the opening exchanges, but Spurs found a way back in with Son's leveller three minutes before half-time after a superb save from David Raya denied Brennan Johnson.
Romero's poor afternoon continued after half-time as his handball - similar to an incident that went unpunished against Man Utd - from Ben White's goal-bound shot allowed Saka to re-establish the Gunners lead from the spot.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville felt it was the wrong decision, saying on co-commentary: "As it hits Romero's hand it is just near his body, it's not up in the air. His arm is low so for me I don't think it is a penalty but he is going to give it."
Spurs got an equaliser almost straight from the restart as Jorginho, a half-time injury substitute for Declan Rice, dallied on the ball allowing James Maddison to pick his pocket. The midfielder rolled the ball to Son for a simple finish past Raya.
Kai Havertz and Saka went close to an Arsenal winner late on, while substitute Richarlison saw a deflected effort fall just wide in the 10th minute of stoppage time.
The derby draw leaves both sides four points behind Manchester City after six games, doing their early title credentials no favours.
An ear-deafening Emirates greeted the players, which both teams going full throttle in the opening exchanges.
Son had an early strike disallowed after Raya saved from Yves Bissouma, while Gabriel Jesus drew an expert save from Guglielmo Vicario from Saka's cross.
Saka then turned his attentions to taking on Destiny Udogie, drawing a yellow card from the Spurs left-back, who then gave Eddie Nketiah a clear chance with a loose pass, only for Vicario to come to the rescue again.
Eventually, Saka and Arsenal found their breakthrough as the winger cut inside from the right flank and Romero deflected his shot past the helpless Spurs goalkeeper.
Arsenal continued their momentum and Jesus missed a big chance for a second when he dispossessed Maddison on the edge of the box, but blazed over when he should have found the net.
But Spurs then found their rhythm as Arsenal dropped off as the half ended. Raya produced a wonder save to deny Johnson from Son's cross, before denying Maddison from close-range moments later.
But three minutes before half-time, Spurs found their leveller. Maddison beat Saka at the byline and found Son, who steered the ball in at the far post despite three Arsenal defenders around him.
The second period began in the same electric fashion as the first and Arsenal were given a penalty almost immediately when White's goal-bound shot from a corner hit Romero's arm and moved away from goal.
After a lengthy VAR check, referee Rob Jones awarded the spot-kick after referring to the monitor and Saka sent Vicario the wrong way to send the Emirates back into delirium.
But then came an instant blow for the hosts. Jorginho's first touches of the game after coming on saw him gift the ball to Maddison in the Arsenal half, with the midfielder slipping Son in to finish past Raya.
Chances were few and far between as both sides sat and analysed the stalemate in question. Son hit the side-netting in search of a hat-trick, while substitute Havertz blasted over when found in good space from the edge of the area.
At the start of 10 minutes of stoppage time, which lifted the noise levels further, Saka then flashed a deflected effort just wide of Vicario's post.
Ange Postecoglou hailed two-goal hero Son, as well as all of the Tottenham leadership team - made up of Romero, Maddison and Bissouma, who have created a winning culture.
"He's been outstanding as a leader and as a player," said Postecoglou of Son.
"When you put him in that [central] position, he just works so hard and team-first orientated. His first thought is what is best for the team. He has the quality of finish.
"Madders was outstanding with both assists. I'm pleased for him, we're really invested in what we're doing with him, Madders, Romero and Bissouma off the field. I'm happy we're getting the rewards.
"The character, the belief the team showed, it's the team we want to be. They kept persevering and persevering.
"There's a will and desire to become the team we want to be which is making sure you're disciplined and buying into the team values.
"We're not going to dominate Arsenal for 90 minutes, no chance. We just kept playing, didn't get flustered and lose belief.
"That's a good sign as we've got challenges for sure. There are more obstacles we need to overcome to become the team we want to be.
"I don't have a schedule, so I don't worry about it. Wherever we are is a good place to go further. I'm not saying it's going to take a while but the undeniable fact is we're six games in.
"How many players in the past have started in North London derby? One or two probably. We've had an encouraging start."
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to criticise substitute Jorginho for his mistake that ultimately cost the Gunners two points.
"I love him and we all love him," said Arteta when asked about Jorginho. "Errors are a part of football.
"They are allowed to make errors because they play. He is someone who helps the team. We all love him and are with him."
Arteta said Spurs' equaliser affected them emotionally in their attempts to find a third goal, but also praised Tottenham for creating a competitive North London derby.
"The energy the boys put in, the attitude was phenomenal. But we lacked composure on the ball against a really good Spurs side," he added.
"We are disappointed not to get the three points that's for sure. especially when you go in front twice, especially the moments when we conceded and we could have scored 2-0 with Gabby Jesus.
"The second goal affected the team emotionally and it became a transitional game, which is a risk if you play against them. Then we lacked the quality in the final third.
"Credit to them, they have the quality and chances to do that. We have simple giveaways and we didn't do enough in certain areas to spread out in certain areas."
Sky Sports' Dan Sansom:
Heung-Min Son is relishing his new role at Tottenham since the departure of Harry Kane.
Now playing as a central attacker, the Spurs captain delivered again on the biggest stage with two clinical finishes in Sunday's pulsating 2-2 draw with fierce rivals Arsenal.
Son's fine performance at the Emirates saw him score for the 150th time for Tottenham and he now has five goals in six Premier League games so far this term, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
As well as scoring from his two shots on target, the South Korea international ended the game with an impressive passing accuracy of 93 per cent, played two key passes, and created one big chance against an impressive and organised Arsenal side.
Son loves playing against the Gunners. After failing to score or assist in his first nine Premier League north London derbies, the 31-year-old has since found the net six times and registered two assists in his previous eight games against them. He is also the first Spurs player to score a league brace at Arsenal in over 30 years.
"He's been outstanding as a leader and as a player," Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said after the match. If Son's fantastic form and positive influence continue, Spurs will have a successful season.
Brentford host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday at 7.45pm before the Gunners return to Premier League action at Bournemouth on Saturday at 3pm.
Tottenham host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday Night Football live on Sky Sports at 5.30pm.
