Spurs changed their manager, they changed their players but the score was still the same as Arsenal once again defeated their North London rivals 5-2 at home. Former Arsenal man Emmanuel Adebayor who plays for Spurs made the difference between the sides.

Former Arsenal man Emmanuel Adebayor who plays for Spurs made the difference between the sides

The rivalry between these two teams has rose many folds over the past few years and probably the peak was during the infamous Lasagna incident a few years back.

Spurs went into the match with French captain Lloris between the sticks instead of veteran Friedel. They played without Caulker who picked up a knock during the international break. Instead Vertongen played in the center and Naughton played as left back.

Spurs once again took the lead in the lead in the 10^th minute when former Arsenal man Adebayor tapped in from close distance after Arsenal keeper Szczesny’s save from a Defoe shot fell into the path of the oncoming striker. Szczesny made his return to the Gunners team after a long period on the treatment table. Minutes later it was the Togolese man again in the center of things when he was sent off by referee Howard Webb for a dangerous tackle on Santi Carzola. The straight red was not much of a debate considering how he went in for the ball.

From that moment onwards the momentum shifted and it never went back as Arsenal took advantage of the extra man.

In the 24^th minute German Mertesacker headed a goal in off a Theo Walcott cross to level the score. Arsenal came close to scoring again and again with a Giroud header just going off target and another header brilliantly saved by Lloris.

The goal eventually came from Lukas Podolski who finished brilliantly after a wonderful play by Santi Carzola. Arsenal were not quite done in the first half after Oliver Giroud scored and once again it was Carzola who set up the goal. He dribbled past the spurs players thanks to referee Howard Webb playing the advantage and then gave a low cross into the crowded penalty area to find Giroud who finished off brilliantly.

Villa Boas decided to make a change in tactics as he removed both his full backs at half time and replaced one of the with center back Michael Dawson and the other with Clint Dempsey. This mean that now Spurs played with three at the back and were more prone to attacks now.

Bale was impressive for the visitors who made some amazing runs beating defenders easily. He made Mertesacker look like an amateur with his movement. Bale’s individual inspiration was not enough as Arsenal scored again and this time it was Carzola who scored off Podolski cross.

When all seemed lost Bale once again made an impressive run to beat Mertesacker and then fire on in off his weaker right foot low into the corner of the net from outside the box. Bale came close to scoring once again two minutes later when he shot from a tight angle just to miss the post. His choice was poor though as he had Defoe in support.

Theo Walcott on the other end got two one on one situations with the goal keeper but his first touch on both the occasions let him down.

Arsenal then introduced Chamberlain with 5 minutes left. Walcott moved to the more central role now and he scored the 5^th to hammer the final nail in the Spurs coffin after he finished off from a Chamberlain cross.

The win means Arsenal now have 19 points from 12 matches. Spurs on the other hand have lost their third consecutive Premier League match and would be hoping to recover soon from their current situation specially with Liverpool coming to visit at the end of the month.

Tags: Arsenal, Emmanuel Adebayor, EPL, North London Derby, Premier League, Spurs, Tottenham Hotspur