Sitting pretty at the top of the table, Arsenal are turning the screws and doing the best they can to strike fear into opposition this season. They have taken the league by surprise and I must admit too that I doubted them. I am not saying they would win the league but who says they can't? They have surprised us already and who knows maybe they might or as usual, their last-minute collapse might surface as well.
After being without action for close to two weeks, Arsenal picked off in the great form where they left off. They looked hungry and ready to rumble. What better motivation do you need when you are playing a derby? I knew the game against Spurs would be a high-intensity match and in all honesty, I was expecting Tottenham to win or at least nick a draw because you never know how these games can turn out. We saw how Arsenal lost to Manchester United despite playing better. Sometimes results can betray your efforts and I was thinking it might be the same against Tottenham but Antonio Conte got schooled by Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal were always in control of the game even before the red card was given to Romero. Arsenal looked threatening and I enjoyed watching Martinelli and Saka bringing others into play from the width while working out the defence.
Arsenal wants to stay ahead and keep the pressure on themselves early on and they might have a chance of not missing the top 4 this season because Liverpool also looked like a side bereft of ideas right now which leaves the spot open for whoever want to grab it.
Beating Tottenham by 3-1 is a huge win, especially for the derby. Arsenal got the bragging rights this time around and I don't think Tottenham would have any excuse to give. They didn't play bad either but Arsenal showed they wanted it more with their fast-paced game, willingness, determination, grit and quality on the ball. Mikel Arteta taught his boys well and I love their newfound confidence.
Winning a game of this magnitude would always instil the needed confidence they want for big games especially after losing to Manchester United. This is a massive lift to the squad that they can play against the top sides and be clinical. I love how smart Gabriel Jesus was in the game against the Spurs. His striker instinct kicked in and he responded quicker than anyone else to pounce on the loosed save from Hugo Lloris.
Arsenal scored beautiful goals and that game is proof that they have quality within themselves. Anyone can score and the burden would be shared equally with no particular reliance on Gabriel Jesus. Xhaka and Thomas Partey scored two beautiful goals and with others chipping in too, I have to admit that there are goals to be scored with this team and they would be up there as the season progresses.
It's easier to relent after such a big win - overconfidence can kill any team and Arsenal need to know that a win against Spurs doesn't mean they have won the league, they need to dig deep in every game and use the confidence from the derby game to play their best against the next opponent if they want to stay at the top of the table and maintain the momentum.
Congratulations to Arsenal but it's still a long season ahead. Enjoy the bragging rights and the confidence that comes with winning such an important game.
Cheers.
Gingered Up! ❣️
