Arsenal vs. Tottenham: Post Game

Kaboul scoring the winner

At what has been a fortress in past seasons, this past weekend Arsenal slipped to their third home defeat of the season. The Gunners lost 3-2 against their bitter rivals Tottenham, and it was the first time that Arsenal had lost at home to Tottenham since 1993, and it left Arsenal players and fans alike reeling. Arsenal started well completely dominating the first 45 minutes and rightfully went in 2-0 leaders at halftime courtesy of a goals from Samir Nasri, and Marouane Chamakh. Spurs came out rejuvenated in the second half, which combined with Arsenal's failure to get out of first gear, meant they were able to stun the Gunners with 3 second half goals. Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, and Younes Kaboul all notched goals for Spurs as they claimed a rare away victory against Arsenal.

Arsenal started off the better side in the first half, and showed no fatigue after their 2-0 midweek win. Jack Wilshere was left out of the starting lineup because of a back injury, but Andrei Arshavin passed his fitness test and made it into the starting lineup. Spurs stumbled out of the blocks, and Arsenal capitalized scoring their first goal after just 9 minutes. Samir Nasri had been set free by an inch perfect aerial through ball by Fabregas, and after a poor first touch he cooly rounded Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes. As he rounded Gomes, the ball trickled to the byline. Nasri, who was off balance managed to apply the finish with his left foot from the tightest of angles. It was a sublime goal, and Arsenal looked to be hands down favorites to emerge winners from the derby. This prediction was further enhanced when Cesc Fabregas, found Arshavin marauding down the left hand side, and once he received the ball he put an inch perfect, low cross into the box, which Chamakh diverted into the opposition net. As the half time whistle blew Arsenal looked comfortable and untroubled, and it seemed likely that they would maintain their home superiority in the derby.

However, in what proved to be a game of two halves, Spurs emerged from half time looking to turn around what seemed to be an unassailable 2 goal deficit. Boosted by the substition of Jermaine Defoe, Tottenham quickly bagged the first of three goals. Defoe won his header, which found Van der Vaart, who in turn found Bale, and all Bale had to do was knock the ball past Fabianski with the outside of his foot. Arsenal searched for a third, and almost had it when Chamkh was set free, but the Moroccan opting to cut the ball back onto his right foot, instead of fire a first time shot with his left, was tackled, and the opportunity was lost. Spurs capitalized and were soon awarded a dubious freekick on the edge of the Arsenal area, which was awarded for a "foul" by Alex Song. Van der Vaart launched the freekick into the wall, and it was blocked by the hand of Cesc Fabregas. The captain, who has been under scrutiny of late for brash challenges and unwarranted plays, will not have helped his case with what was an unnecessary and stupid handball. Van der Vaart stepped up to take the penalty he had earned. He dispatched the penalty into the top right hand corner, and in the process sent Fabianski the wrong way. The turnaround was completed in the 86th minute, when Kaboul got a flick on from a freekick into the box, and directed his header past Fabiasnki and into the bottom corner.

In the space of 45 minutes Spurs had turned the game on its head, and added further to Arsenal's current woes.