Arsenal vs Tottenham player ratings – Gabriel shines in North London derby comeback

On By Littum

Tottenham Hotspur’s 25th-minute goal gave Spurs hope of a North London derby hope, but the final result feels as expected as Arsenal won 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium against their historic and injury-hit rivals.

Not that Arsenal aren’t short of players, as Bukayo Saka’s absence has been felt in the red part of north London.

(MORE: Recap, highlights from Arsenal 2-1 Spurs )

But Leandro Trossard got the job done and Raheem Sterling was also good to go under 90 minutes each at the Emirates.

For Spurs, two of their three midfielders were poor in the first half and that can only be the story of the final result. Ange Postecoglou moved both players in question at half-time.

Here are our player ratings from a gruesome, random game of 115 yards in North London.

Arsenal vs Tottenham player ratings out of 10

David Raya: 6 — Didn’t have to do much. Dropped one cross, but it didn’t bite him.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (from 87′): 8 — Neat on the ball and aggressive when the game came his way, the teenager won 4-of-5 duels.

Gabriel Magalhaes: 9 — Not an easy header from that angle at the back post to bring Arsenal level – it fell as a Solanke own goal – and it came minutes after his terrific denial of a Djed Spence cross destined for a Dominic Solanke finish.

William Saliba: 8 — He played his best Virgil van Dijk game, spraying long balls with style and exposing the challengers to the other side of the pitch (where Gabriel was more than ready for them).

Jurrien Timber: 7.5 — Super solid in all aspects.

Thomas Partey: 7 — Kept on the ball and won 5-of-7 duels.

Declan Rice (from 87′): 7.5 — His corner kick service continues to get rave reviews, but it feels like a 7.5 rating is his baseline. An elite gaming dictator.

Martin Odegaard: 8 — Just your ho-hum game with four chances created and 85% passing, even if you operate in the congested areas of the pitch.

Leandro Trossard (from 77′): 8 — One of his more complex games with the ball, scoring a fine goal and managing 10 touches in Spurs’ box.

Raheem Sterling (from 61′): 7.5 — In an hour-long match with Djed Spence, who was up for the challenge. Sterling was stuck in 14 challenges in his 61 minutes.

Kai Havertz: 6.5 — An inconclusive 90. Full of effort but more would have been expected from the center forward in this one.

Subs
Gabriel Martinelli (on 61′): 6 — Ineffective, missed a chance to score.
Kieran Tierney (on 77′): 6.5 — Had little to do.
Mikel Merino (on 87′): — N/A
Oleksandr Zinchenko (on 87′): — N/A

Solanke’s own goal brings Arsenal level against Spurs

Arsenal’s corner magic continues as Dominic Solanke turns the Gunners’ equalizer against Spurs in the first half at the Emirates.

Tottenham player ratings at Arsenal out of 10

Antonin Kinsky: 6 — Blocked from reaching Rice’s corner on Gabriel’s goal.

Djed Spence: 7 — His tackle on Sterling was excellent, as was his off-the-boot cross to Solanke, which was denied by Gabriel.

Radu Dragusin: 5 — You want better from him with the ball and certainly you want better marking of Gabriel on the own goal. He plays, to be fair, every minute, every game, alongside a teenage midfielder.

Archie Gray: 6 — It’s hard to put too many points on him since he has it still not central defense.

Pedro Porro: 6 — Rushed forward and slammed the post late but was sloppy with the last ball.

Yves Bissouma (Off HT): 5 — Gave the ball away on Trossard’s goal and generally struggled.

Pape Sarr (Off HT): 4.5 — Could have done a lot more to help his defenders after Bissouma’s giveaway on Trossard’s goal.

Lucas Bergvall: 7.5 — Perhaps the bright light of the team, and showed fire in the clash with Lewis-Skelly.

Dejan Kulusevski: 6.5 — Starved the ball and lost the lion’s share of his duels. A rare day off.

Heung-min Son (from 79′): 7 — Got a decent rejection for his goal, but you can’t score if you don’t shoot.

Dominic Solanke: 6 — Twenty-four touches in 90 minutes as he was starved of the ball and was the own goal provider.

Subs
James Maddison (On HT): 7 — Pretty good off the bench but have to question why he’s there in the first place,
Brennan Johnson (On HT): 6 — Quiet
Richarlison (on 79′): – N/A