Despite quite a few second half scares, Arsenal managed to secure a vital three points in the race for the Premier League title on Sunday.
The Gunners raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half of the north London derby on Sunday, with goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg giving them a seemingly unassailable lead heading into half time.
In the second half however, a mistake from David Raya which allowed Cristian Romero to make it 3-1 and a foul from Declan Rice which gifted Heung-min Son a goal from the spot to make it 3-2 heading into the final minutes of the game.
Despite the incessant pressure from Spurs, Arsenal were able to hold on to an important win.
Here’s Arsenal’s best and worst players from the north London derby victory, courtesy of 90min’s esteemed player ratings:
Kai Havertz: 9/10
Havertz impressed / Chloe Knott – Danehouse/GettyImages
After a disappointing first few months in north London following his £65m move from Chelsea, Kai Havertz has re-found his mojo in 2024.
The German followed up a stunning brace against his former club on Monday with an equally impressive outing against Tottenham on Sunday.
Utilised in his preferred false nine role, Havertz caused Tottenham’s backline a whole host of problems – particularly in the first half of the game. His clever pass to Bukayo Saka set up Arsenal’s second, and his header at the final minutes of the first half proved to be the winning goal of the game for the Gunners.
Havertz is, surprisingly, proving to be one of the signings of the season in the Premier League.
There’s not many people who’d have predicted that a few months ago.
Honourable mention
Bukayo Saka: 8/10
Arsenal’s ‘Starboy’ became the first English player to score 15 Premier League goals in a season for the club since Ian Wright achieved the feat in 1997.
That’s some pretty damn impressive stuff from Bukayo Saka.
The wide forward was at his electric and clinical best in north London on Sunday, curling a trademark left-footed effort into the bottom corner in the first half of the game.
David Raya: 4/10
Raya was poor / Catherine Ivill – AMA/GettyImages
Put simply, Tottenham do not stage a comeback in the second half if it wasn’t for David Raya’s egregious error in the lead up to Romero’s goal.
The goalkeeper, brought to the club by Mikel Arteta due to his ability on the ball, passed directly to Romero in the 64th minute, allowing the defender to score and give his team a shock lifeline in the game.
Ultimately Arsenal would hold on, but they can’t afford for their goalkeeper to make any similar mistakes between now and the end of the season.
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