Arteta dedicates derby win over Tottenham to Arsenal fans
Arsenal’s revival gathered pace as Tottenham’s recent decline continued in an entertaining north London derby at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners propped up the table after three games while Spurs were top under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo – how things have changed as a rampant Arsenal ripped their shambolic rivals to shreds in a brilliant first half.
Emile Smith Rowe started the celebrations for the Arsenal fans when he arrived unmarked to sweep home Bukayo Saka’s cross after 12 minutes before the scorer turned provider as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got the second midway through the half.
Spurs were producing a horror show and nothing summed it up better than Arsenal’s third after 34 minutes. Harry Kane fell over the ball in a Spurs attack then missed two tackles on Saka as he raced back into his own penalty area to try to rescue the situation. Saka compounded the agony with a calm finish.
Inevitably, Spurs improved after the break, Kane bringing a good save from Aaron Ramsdale and wasting a good chance, before Son Heung-min pulled one back.
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Ramsdale spared Arsenal any late anxiety with another superb stop, touching Lucas Moura’s shot on to the bar as Mikel Arteta’s side closed out a richly deserved win.
Arteta later said: “This win is for the fans. They were there when we needed their support. We started really strongly and were determined. In the second half we had to do what we had to do.”
Asked what he liked the most, Arteta added: “The determination, the conviction and connection with our people.
“We just need to keep everyone healthy because we are going to need everyone. It was the exact mix we needed with the senior players and then the youth.
“Its a special day. Today is one example of what we want to do. But we have to be consistent.”
He also stated: “I think in life you have to show gratitude. These people have stood by this club and these players. This win is for them.
“When you are trying rebuild and trying to do the right things you have to stay by your values. Now we are creating the connection with our supporters.
“We had great determination, great energy and great quality. I really enjoyed it. I see the belief the players have in what we do [in training]. They have the quality to put it into practice.
“[It is important] they make each other better. It’s about raising the level in the team and training. If they all have that mentality then what happened today happens.”