Three things that stood out in Arsenal’s win over Tottenham

Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the North London derby at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday.

Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka scored for Arsenal in the 20th, 49th and 67th minutes, respectively. Harry Kane got the only goal for the visitors (31′).

The Gunners extended their lead in the Premier League table with 21 points from eight matches, while Tottenham remain in third with 17 points.

Here are three things that stood out in the match.

Arsenal dominated first half, but Tottenham stayed level

Arsenal and Tottenham started the match with 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 formations, respectively. The Gunners were the better team in the first half and dominated ball-possession from the start.

Partey and Martin Ødegaard impressed with their passing as the Gunners kept playing with a high defensive line.

Arsenal’s persistence paid off when Partey got the ball on the edge of the Tottenham penalty box and scored with a wonderful right-footed shot, beating a diving Hugo Lloris.

It was the Ghanaian midfielder’s first goal of the season. Tottenham then responded with vigor and managed to put some pressure on Arsenal’s defense.

Tottenham, quite expectedly, managed to score following one of their customary counter-attacking moves.

Richarlison got the ball and was stopped illegally by Gabriel inside the Arsenal penalty box. The referee pointed to the spot and Kane made no mistake in converting the penalty.

Arsenal tormented Tottenham out wide to take lead in second half

Arsenal tested Tottenham down the flanks right from the beginning of the second half.

Both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli made darting runs through the right and left flanks, respectively, to unsettle the Tottenham defense. Arsenal switched to a 3-4-3 in the second half with Saka and Martinelli playing as wing-backs and Oleksandr Zinchenko adding to the numbers in central midfield.

Arsenal did not have to wait long to restore their lead after the break.

Saka cut into the box from the right flank and took a shot at goal that Lloris could not parry properly. Cristian Romero failed to clear the ball and Jesus managed to nod it into the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Arsenal continued to look the better team as Aaron Ramsdale hardly touched the ball.

Arsenal scored again after Tottenham reduced to 10 men

Further misery was awaiting Tottenham in the second half as Emerson Royal was sent off for committing an atrocious foul on Gabriel. Arsenal took advantage and kept piling on the pressure as Partey spread the ball to the flanks diligently.

Arsenal’s third goal came when Partey carried the ball forward then played it to Martinelli, who cut inside from the left flank before passing it to Xhaka inside the penalty box.

The Swiss midfielder finished neatly to reinforce his improvement as an attacking player.

Both teams made substitutions afterwards with Mikel Arteta taking off Jesus and Ødegaard to introduce Eddie Nketiah and Fabio Vieira.

Antonio Conte took off Ivan Perisic, who was given a torrid time by Saka, as was Pierre Emile-Højbjerg among others.

Tottenham could have suffered further humiliation had Lloris not been able to save Kieran Tierney’s scorching left-footer quite creditably.