Tottenham Hotspur hit new low with 3-1 humiliation at the Emirates

Heung-Min Son scored a deserved goal for his efforts against Arsenal, however, outside that moment, Tottenham was mostly humiliated at the Emirates in a 3-1 loss.

Everyone on the planet knew Arsenal was going to come out of the blocks hungry and energized, except Tottenham Hotspur. Beaten to every 50/50 from the first minute, Spurs were never really in the North London Derby and fall below their archrivals in the standings as a result.

Tottenham players walking and watching the first goal

Arsenal started strong and on the ball, holding 70% of the possession over the first 10 minutes. Maybe at that point, Spurs thought they had survived the early but when the entire midfield turns off all at once the results are predictable.

The play started as most of the goals against have this season with Spurs losing possession in their own half. A hopeless longball, which seemed to be Tottenham’s primary tactic on the day, was lost, and then Pierre Hojbjerg was beaten to a 50/50 ball.

It was from that point, losing the ball near midfield in a duel that things really fell apart for Tottenham.

As Arsenal started to quickly move forward in numbers, the Tottenham midfield jogged back. With no midfielder in front of him, which was the case most of the day, Emile Smith-Rowe ran with the ball into space straight at the goal.

This left Arsenal with numbers in the box and Smith-Rowe moved the ball wide to Bukayo Saka who then hit an easy cross into the box.

None of Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele, or Pierre Hojbjerg hustled to get back, Smith Rowe was alone in the box near the penalty area and easily put Arsenal ahead 1-0 with a simple side-footed finish.

Dele took a lot of flack on TV here in the states as he should but in reality, he was the furthest of the three from the play when it started.  Hojbjerg was the worst offender lollygagging his way behind the play when he was closest to the play, to begin with.  If the Viking would close out defensively in the final third with the same vigor he tries to close out in the attacking third, Spurs would be a much better team.

Tottenham showed little resilience

The second goal maybe had a hint of controversy as Kane was taken down near the edge of the box – for not the only time – but no whistle came. Instead, Arsenal was able to collect the ball and make just a few passes to break Tottenham down.

A late tackle attempt up the pitch had left Japhet Tanganga out of position and when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang flicked the ball into space on the left it was Smith Rowe off to the races. With nothing but space in front of him, Smith Rowe dribbled until Davinson Sanchez slid over defensively in a very passive move in the box.

This gave the Gunners all the space needed to cut back to Aubameyang who hit a first-time shot past Hugo Lloris for the 2-0 lead.

The third goal was more of the same for Spurs

The third goal was just like the rest in many ways. It started with a poor giveaway. Kane had the ball near the top of the box and was just uncertain and was easily knocked off the ball. the impended breakaway once again gave Arsenal the numbers in attack.

Kane – unlike the midfield – was determined to do something about his mistake and tracked back defensively. Unfortunately, it was Kane sliding in that kind of freed Saka in the box to enable him to finish past Lloris. Kane certainly meant well but it just made things worse.

Had that worked for Kane, or his header off a corner, or his little chip over Ramsdale, or even VAR the day might have been different but none of it was to be and Tottenham was slaughtered in the first half.

Arsenal took their foot off the pedal in the second half and called off the high press, picking up Tottenham from midfield for the most part.

Son got a late goal and a missed penalty shout for Kane maybe would have changed the game. However, anyone who thinks the second half was more about Spurs being better than it was Arsenal taking it easy is following themselves.

Son’s consolation goal prevented a third consecutive 3-0 defeat but does little to hide the fact that Spurs were flat out embarrassed and humiliated by their archrivals.