Our 3️⃣ points after Arsenal win a thrilling north London derby | OneFootball

Arsenal came from behind to win the north London derby over Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in a game which had it all – penalties, red cards and a goal of the season contender.

Érik Lamela’s unbelievable rabona gave Spurs the lead before Martin Ødegaard and Alexandre Lacazette from the spot earned the win for the Gunners.

Here is what we made of it a pulsating afternoon at the Emirates.

The NLD never disappoints

It’s the best derby in the Premier League, isn’t it?

Certainly for entertainment, if not for quality but the north London derby rarely disappoints and it has once again produced a number of talking points.

There was a moment of pure genius from Érik Lamela, who then got himself sent off, a comeback, Gareth Bale looking stern as he was replaced after 55 mins, José Mourinho wagging his finger at a penalty decision, then the said penalty. We could go on.

It kept us all engaged right until the last moment when Harry Kane struck the post with a free-kick.

The majority of games in the league have been a bit of a damp squid this season due to the circumstances but this was a proper Super Sunday humdinger.

A European Super League consisting purely of the north London derby fixtures would do us just fine.

Arteta breaks derby duck

The rabona goal almost had us all fooled that Tottenham deserved something from this game, but in truth they didn’t.

Arsenal’s performance was composed and professional for the majority and Mikel Arteta rightly comes away with his first derby win.

Spurs’ gameplan is what it always is in these big games  – sit deep and hit the team on the counter. Except they never really managed to spring these breaks on a consistent basis because of the impressive pressing from Arsenal.

They never allowed Tottenham to get the ball to their danger men enough, and led to Harry Kane failing to have a touch in the opposition box during the first half.

Arsenal did appear to be full of nerves after Lamela’s red card and it made for a frantic last 15 minutes but all in all Arteta got this spot on and European qualification through the league may not be out of reach after all.

A day in the life of Érik Lamela

In the absence of supporters football has lost a lot of the magic that made the game so loved.

Érik Lamela went some way to restoring it at the Emirates this afternoon.

The ball fell to the Argentine in the penalty area with three Arsenal players standing in the way of him and the goal.

It never looked on.

It was a moment of pure improvisation and inspiration that would send every Tottenham supporter into raptures and leave everyone else shouting ‘fuck!’ at the TV.

But, then he went and did something else that would’ve left every Tottenham supporter shouting ‘fuck’ at the TV.

The intent in his first challenge was suspect, but to swing his arm out at Kieran Tierney in the way he did while on a yellow was senseless, it was a deserved and reckless red card.

Spurs may have lost the game but they’ve got the goal of the season and Púskas award wrapped up – and that’s the real quiz.