In a thrilling north London derby, Leandro Trossard lifted Arsenal’s spirits by scoring the decisive goal in their 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. The win propels Arsenal back into second place in the Premier League, narrowing the gap to leaders Liverpool to four points.
The match began with Arsenal dominating possession, but it was Tottenham who struck first. Against the run of play, Son Heung-min’s deflected volley found the back of the net in the 25th minute, putting the visitors ahead and momentarily deepening the gloom around the Emirates.
Undeterred, Arsenal intensified their attacks. Just before halftime, Belgian forward Leandro Trossard showcased his clinical finishing by firing in the equalizer, reigniting the home crowd’s enthusiasm. The momentum swung in Arsenal’s favor, and they continued to press Tottenham’s defense.
The second half saw Arsenal maintain their intensity. Trossard emerged as the hero once again, scoring the winning goal that ensured all three points for the Gunners. The victory comes at a crucial time, especially after recent setbacks which included a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the League Cup semi-final first leg and a penalty shootout exit against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.
Adding to their challenges, Arsenal faced the blow of losing Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending injury earlier in the week. However, the team’s performance against their arch-rivals showcased their resilience and determination.
“Outstanding today. From the first minute, we were really at it, really intense. We played with a real purpose to hurt them. We created an unbelievable atmosphere,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remarked after the match. “The attitude we played with, not feeling sorry for ourselves, was phenomenal.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou conceded defeat graciously. With this loss marking their 11th league defeat of the season, Spurs find themselves in 13th place with 24 points. “We have to improve and learn from this. Credit to Arsenal, they were the better side today,” Postecoglou commented.
Arsenal’s unbeaten streak in the Premier League now extends to 11 games. While they still trail behind Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, this derby victory could be the catalyst they need to mount a serious title challenge as the season progresses.
The Gunners will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures, hoping to keep the pressure on the league leaders and bring silverware back to the Emirates.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
