Incredibly frustrating Arsenal derby for Tottenham

For the 196th North London derby, Ange went with a starting XI of; Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van De Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.

After five minutes, Son found Kulusevski six yards out and was denied well by David Raya. 

Eight minutes in, the Swedish international found space in the box, but his shot was well blocked. 

Six minutes later, Spurs caught Arsenal playing out from the back, but Solanke couldn’t get the ball out of his feet quickly enough and got dispossessed in a really frustrating missed opportunity.

Then, Arsenal had their first chance of the game as a combination of Vicario and Romero kept Kai Havertz’s header out. 

Only a minute later, Gabriel Martinelli ran in behind the Spurs backline but was denied by Vicario with an underwhelming finish. 

Close to the half-hour mark, Maddison found Solanke at the back post from a cross with minimal backlift, as the striker looped a header just wide of the post. 

On the stroke of half-time, Kulusevski robbed Trossard of possession and showed neat footwork to find Johnson, but he could only fire over the bar. 

At half-time, there had been seven yellows in total, including for Udogie, Bentancur, Vicario, Van De Ven, and Kulusevski. 

64 minutes in, a fatal blow was delivered. The same old problems from Spurs. A corner from the right came in and Gabriel had a free header four yards out to open the scoring. 

Ange responsed by introducing Odobert and Sarr for Johnson and Bentancur.

18 minutes from time, Spurs worked a good opportunity after a high turnover, but once again did not get a shot off before a Sarr long-range effort went straight down the throat of Raya. 

With eleven minutes left, Ange introduced Werner in place of Maddison. 

Two minutes from time, Romero had a header saved in a rare effort from Spurs as they struggled to create good chances. 

A minute into injury time, space opened up for Kulusevski, but his shot was a bit too high and nothing came of it. 

With a minute left to go, Odobert let fly and the ball hit Werner, who was stood in an offside position. That was that, and Spurs had lost back-to-back North London derbies - at home.

Incredibly frustrating Arsenal derby for Tottenham

As someone who defends Ange more often than not, he has to take full responsibility for that game. It was seriously, seriously embarrassing and there is no hiding from it whatsoever.

An Arsenal side without their entire first-choice midfield and Spurs barely laid a glove on them all game. A crippled opponent and yet it was the most entirely predictable thing ever for so many reasons.

Once again, a goal was conceded from a set piece. Once again, lots of possession without any penetration. Once again, absolutely countless crosses that Raya could have thrown his cap on. That game could have been played until tomorrow and Spurs would not have scored. They didn't even look close. There was no point during the game where you thought "It's only a matter of time until Spurs score here" or "Spurs are really beginning to turn it on here".

Just like in the latter stages of the draw against Leicester City, Ange went with an uber attacking line up. Just like against Leicester, it did not work. Playing several attackers in the line up does not make you more attacking, I don't know how many times it has to be stressed.

As good as Romero is, that was another mistake for the Argentine defender this season. He lost Vardy at the back post against Leicester and was dragged way out of position for Newcastle United's opener. Today, he left Gabriel all alone to nod home from four yards out. Must improve

Tell you what - it's a good job Ange said set pieces are not a priority - otherwise, it would have cost Spurs two North London derbies at home in a calendar year. He can forget any sort of success at Spurs if he is not going to work on 1) set pieces and 2) finding ways to break down sides that sit deep, instead of playing some of the most one-dimensional football you will see.