NUMBER ONE: Gunners out-gunned

Tottenham 2 Arsenal 0 - 30/04/17
Derby defeat for Arsenal puts Champions League beyond reach

Arsène Wenger’s unblemished record of qualifying for the Champions League was plunged into serious doubt after a humbling defeat to arch-rivals Tottenham in April.

The Gunners had finished inside the Premier League’s top four for the past 20 seasons under the Frenchman, guaranteeing them a regular place in Europe’s elite competition.

However, after they were well and truly outplayed by Mauricio Pochettino’s side at White Hart Lane, Arsenal’s faint Champions League hopes relied on Manchester City and Liverpool slipping up.

The result, courtesy of second half goals from Dele Alli and Harry Kane, also confirmed Spurs would finish above their North-London rivals for the first time since the 1994/95 season.

The game finished 2-0 but in truth it could have been more, if it wasn’t for some late interventions from Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech.

In derbies gone by, Tottenham may have crumbled or succumbed to a more potent and gritty Arsenal side.

Not this Spurs team. In fact, it was the complete opposite, as Pochettino’s men tormented the Gunners from start to finish.

Victor Wanyama was too strong for Arsenal’s $45 million summer signing Granit Xhaka in midfield. Meanwhile, Spurs’ forward line of Kane, Alli and Eriksen dismantled the visitors’ three-man defence.

It was another performance full of endeavour and zest from the men in white, who kept up the pressure on runaway leaders Chelsea for most of the season.

In contrast, Arsenal looked sluggish and week, a mere shadow of the 2003/04 side which went the whole season unbeaten.

Tottenham’s opener came from a throw-in on the right flank, before the movement of Eriksen and Alli bamboozled Arsenal’s shaky backline.

The ball quickly broke into the visitors’ penalty area and, after Eriksen’s effort was saved by Cech, Alli stabbed it home – reacting quicker than the static red shirts dotted around him.

Three minutes later, a clumsy challenge from Gabriel on Kane inside the area allowed the striker to double Tottenham’s lead from the penalty spot.

Arsenal went on to win their remaining four league fixtures but the damage had already been done. It’ll be the Europa League for them this campaign.

 

Five Things That Could Make Or Break This Season

1. Can Mourinho find Pogba's best position?

We didn’t see the best of Paul Pogba after he returned to England for a record Premier League transfer fee.

Even so, the 24-year-old still has all the attributes to be one of the best midfielders on the planet, if manager José Mourinho can find the formation and players to suit him.

2. Can Tottenham adapt to the Wembley pitch?

Mauricio Pochettino’s youthful side made White Hart Lane a fortress last season, winning 17 of their 19 league games on home turf.

However, Spurs will play their home games at Wembley this campaign, a ground where they won only once in three Champions League games last year.

3. Will Guardiola change his formation to fit Aguero and Jesus in the same side?

The arrival of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus rejuvenated City in the second half of last season. The 20-year-old was so impressive that he kept top scorer Sergio Aguero out of the side.

If manager Pep Guardiola can find a formation that suits the pair of them, City will be a devastating force this campaign.

4. Are Chelsea good enough to adapt now that teams know their style?

In the latter stages of last season, teams began to adjust to Chelsea’s innovative 3-4-3 formation.

This campaign, sides will know what to expect when they face the defending champions and it will be down to manager Antonio Conte to adapt once again.

5. Will Wenger stick with a back three?

Arsene Wenger’s bold decision to switch to a back three at the end of last season initially looked a little desperate.

However, in the Gunners’ final few games, they found some much-needed solidity at the back, a trait which has often cost them when challenging for the title. 

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