Arsenal participant scores vs Tottenham as 9/10 star evokes derby day win
Arsenal ran out 4-1 winners against Tottenham in the Premier League, with Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both on the scoresheet in a dominant display from the Gunners
Arsenal beat Spurs 3-0 on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal dealt a crushing blow to Manchester City in the Premier League title race by overcoming their local adversaries, Tottenham, in a commanding 4-1 away victory.
Eberechi Eze tormented Spurs once more, following his November hat-trick, by breaking the deadlock with his maiden Premier League strike on target since the final goal of that treble. However, Igor Tudor’s outfit responded brilliantly and levelled proceedings just 24 seconds after the opener.
Minutes into a second period that was postponed by yet another technological glitch, Viktor Gyokeres unleashed a spectacular strike beyond Guglielmo Vicario, potentially finally making his mark at Arsenal. Eze emerged with a brace after capitalising on a stray ball as the Gunners secured three crucial points in their championship chase, with Gyokeres adding the finishing touch during injury time.
David Raya, 8 – Rushed out rapidly on multiple occasions and his positioning was exemplary. Could do nothing to prevent Kolo Muani’s fierce strike and was commanding aerially. Seemed to bend the laws of physics with his arm’s flexibility, hooking the ball away from goal late on to preserve Arsenal’s two-goal cushion.
Jurrien Timber, 6 – Combined effectively with Bukayo Saka down the flank at times and nullified Xavi Simons. Withdrawn after 57 minutes as fatigue set in during the second period, reports the Express.
William Saliba, 5 – Required to be far more robust when Kolo Muani glided past him to find the net.
Gabriel, 6 – Not his characteristically commanding presence in either penalty area but a reliable display and committed few errors. Was granted a generous free-kick for a shove by Kolo Muani before the striker believed he had claimed a second.
Piero Hincapie, 7 – Maintained his excellent form as he continues to keep Riccardo Calafiori out of the side. Solid in possession and a resilient defender, a very tidy addition to this Arsenal squad.
Martin Zubimendi, 6 – Maintained possession but with minimal drive. Faced no challenge from the Spurs midfield in the second period.
Declan Rice, 4 – An atypical blunder on the fringe of his own penalty area enabled Kolo Muani to score. For unknown reasons, Rice attempted to weave around the striker, only to lose possession before being made to pay. Had his embarrassment lessened once more by David Raya as the goalkeeper thwarted another goal from a Rice mistake.
Eberechi Eze, 9 – Given an opportunity to mirror his hat-trick heroics against Spurs earlier in the campaign, with Martin Odegaard only suitable enough for the substitutes’ bench, he seized it admirably. He relishes featuring in this fixture, against the side he nearly signed for this summer, and converted his opening strike expertly after the ball ballooned skywards and he hammered it beyond Vicario. One of his finest displays in an Arsenal jersey, emerging everywhere to create numerous difficulties and he positioned himself perfectly once more, converting Saka’s rebound into an unguarded goal.
Bukayo Saka, 7 – Tenacious whilst restored to the right wing, though encountered Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven in outstanding form. Managed excellently to locate Eze for an assist following some fortune to nudge the ball beyond Pape Matar Sarr. Concerningly limped from the field late on.
Viktor Gyokeres, 9 – His finest showing in an Arsenal jersey, even excluding the double. A particularly energetic opening and discovered the left channel before cutting infield and shooting narrowly wide, though it represented an attempt at a finish he netted routinely at Sporting, but not at Arsenal. Nevertheless, the effort he converted was executed with such confidence that it’s remarkable how Gyokeres hasn’t found the net more consistently this campaign. He exploited that channel again in added time and overpowered Archie Gray to claim a second. Perhaps this could launch his Arsenal journey properly.
Leandro Trossard, 5 – More subdued outing than typical and greater contribution was required from the Belgian. Underwhelming from a generally dependable performer.
Cristhian Mosquera (57′), 7 – Highly competent at right-back as Jurrien Timber was afforded a rest, with the production line of adaptable defenders at Arsenal only growing more remarkable each week.
Martin Odegaard (77′), 7 – Assisted in stabilising matters and securing the victory. A late pass for Gyokeres.
Gabriel Martinelli (77′), 6 – Undertook more defensive work than offensive but tracked back effectively.
Noni Madueke (90′), N/A
