FIVE STAR REDS
ARSENAL (5) vs TOTTENHAM (2)
Revitalised Arsenal roar back from two goals down to defeat bitter rivals Tottenham as Wenger sets sights on pinching third place
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger insists his side can still finish the season ahead of Tottenham after they came from two goals down to blitz their bitter rivals in a pulsating north London derby.
A brace from Theo Walcott and strikes by Tomas Rosicky, Robin van Persie and Bacary Sagna swept the Gunners to a morale-boosting victory after Spurs had looked certain to confirm their status as the capital’s finest.
Early goals from Louis Saha and former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor had threatened to open up a 13-point gap between Tottenham, who lie third in the Premier League, and their neighbours.
But the home team’s improbable fightback slashed that advantage to seven points with 12 matches remaining, lifted them back ahead of Chelsea into fourth spot and set up an intriguing run-in.
“It is still possible,” Wenger said, when asked if his team could yet overtake Spurs. “I felt even before the game that it was possible if we keep our consistency. Everyone in the Premier League can lose points. If we continue to play like that, why not?”
It was a performance of uncharacteristic guts from Arsenal, who have seen FA Cup and Champions League ambitions trampled this month. For Tottenham, a miserable afternoon was compounded by the late dismissal of Scott Parker.
“At 2-0 I didn’t feel comfortable and at 2-2 I felt even less comfortable,” said Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. “It was one of those days for us.”
Tottenham led when Saha’s shot ricocheted off Thomas Vermaelen and over goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. And when Gareth Bale tumbled over Szczesny Adebayor stroked home the penalty to double the advantage.
Arsenal’s comeback began five minutes before half-time when Sagna powered a header past Brad Friedel, and Van Persie quickly equalised with a trademark curler. They carried that momentum into the second half, and Rosicky soon put them ahead by touching in Walcott’s cross at the near post. Winger Walcott looked a man transformed and soon beat Friedel himself with a neat dink before completing the emphatic turnaround with a drilled low finish.
MATCH ANALYSIS
FRANK DALLERES
CITY A.M. VERDICT
This was a win that Arsenal thoroughly deserved and reminded Tottenham that the red half of north London is not ready to lie down just yet. The Gunners still face a huge task to catch their neighbours, though.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Tomas Rosicky had perhaps his best game for the club, Theo Walcott turned another disappointing display into a masterclass and Robin van Persie led from the front, but Yossi Benayoun stood out, providing a guile that Arsenal have missed this term.
KEY MOMENT
Van Persie’s fine equaliser just before half-time ensured Arsenal went in on a high and came out with wind in their sails. Spurs, who earlier had looked set to cut their opponents to ribbons, had no answer.
TALKING POINT
How both teams react to this result will shape their season. Tottenham, with just one win in three, need to rediscover their consistency, while Arsenal must prove their resurrection was no fluke.