PLAYER RATINGS: Arsenal 1-1 Spurs

I’ll take it. To be honest, Arsenal completely dominated, especially in the second half where it seemed to be wave after wave of Arsenal attacks. Luckily for Spurs, there weren’t any real chances where Arsenal should’ve scored but didn’t.

Credit the Tottenham defense in this one. Naughton, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose and later Dier held strong in the second half when the game, minus the Nacer Chadli goal, was being played entirely within the Tottenham penalty box.

The Chadli goal was well taken, and the industriousness shown by Tottenham was a sight for sore eyes. In fact, some tenaciousness from Christian Eriksen led to the beautiful Erik Lamela assist for the goal. That’s the kind of high pressure that can lead to good things for Spurs, but unfortunately, they just couldn’t do it enough.

Arsenal had 70% of the total possession, and that number was even bigger in the second half, but Spurs never wilted. In the past, this could’ve gotten ugly. It was a welcome change from the languid display last weekend at Sunderland.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hugo Lloris -8- The French number one was great. He had no chance on the Oxlade-Chamberlain goal, but other than that, Hugo was dominant. Lloris was magic when Spurs needed it most. He cleared off the line, made diving saves, and controlled the box in the air. The Spurs #1 was the Man of the Match in this one.

Kyle Naughton -7- Nice work from Naughton as he appears to be making the right side his own again. Shifted to the left side when Rose departed for Dier and performed well there too.

Younes Kaboul -8- Captain Kaboul took charge in this one, turning in his finest display of the season. He was commanding in the back, consistently winning headers and physically dominating everyone the Gunners sent his way. This is what he can be. Hopefully we see this kind of performance going forward.

Jan Vertonghen -7- Strong effort from Super Jan. He held the line and won just about every tackle and challenge that came his way. When he came forward in the final minutes, he probably could’ve made a better decision than dribbling into two Arsenal defenders, but at least he tried to go forward.

Danny Rose -7- Rose kept Arsenal’s wide men in check all game. If his injury isn’t serious, does anyone believe that Ben Davies will win that spot back based on the form of the two players?

Etienne Capoue -8- Capoue tackled and exerted his physical presence all game. Honestly, the entire middle defensive-minded players for Spurs were excellent. The Frenchman again showed why Poch keeps selecting him.

Ryan Mason -6- Ryan Mason was good in his Prem debut. He shined in the first half and got lost in the second as Arsenal controlled the game. Overall, got the deserved start after his performance against Forest, and he did nothing to make Spurs supporters question Pochettino’s decision.

Nacer Chadli -7- Great goal, well taken. Other than that, he didn’t have much to offer, but in his defense, Spurs were on the back heel the entire second half and that kind of game doesn’t suit Chadli.

Christian Eriksen -6- He gets a six strictly for the tackle that led to the goal. Otherwise, Eriksen was kind of a ghost. Subbed out in favor of Aaron Lennon.

Erik Lamela -6- Again, the ranking could go either way. The assist on the goal was magnificent, almost exactly like his assist against Nottingham Forest. Conversely, his terrible clearance led to the Arsenal goal. These type of games don’t suit Erik well but he kept fighting. He showed a spirit that Spurs fans can truly admire.

Emmanuel Adebayor -5- He couldn’t really get started. He had no service, and was alone most of the game. It’s still a wonder to me why Ade continues to flick headers onto imaginary players up top. Doesn’t he realize he’s the lone striker, the highest player on the field wearing white?

Subs

Aaron Lennon -5- Didn’t do anything really. No impact. I would’ve liked to see Bentaleb come in at the point that Lennon made his appearance.

Nabil Bentaleb -6- Definitely settled things down a bit when he came on for Chadli. This kind of game suits Nabil and he played well. Given more time, this rating could’ve been higher.

Eric Dier -NA-

Despite being dominated in every single statistical category besides tackles, and challenges won in the air, Spurs walked out of The Emirates with a point. This is the kind of draw that sort of feels like a win, and honestly, Spurs needed any positives they could get out of this one.

Come On You Spurs!

 

I'd give Kaboul a 9, along with Lloris. They're the two main guys who prevented us from falling back into the usual Spurs: cracking under pressure. Others follow behind.

 

Ugh was Adebayor even on the pitch. I didn't see him and think you're being generous awarding a 5. I'll give him 3 for being in the squad and 1 for allowing others to work for the goal and letting Chadli play where he should've been - and thats being generous !Take note MP you only had 10 men out there today.

 

I'm happy with the assessments, though I don't like the 'bad press' (and mediocre score) Lamela gets. The only player we have who is prepared to run at defenders, the only player with enough courage to try and skin a defender rather than pass it. Whenever he gets the ball he usually has two men on him, the boy does more than what he is given credit for.

Delighted with the point, it feels like a win. Like most people I expected us to get humped today, to see that battling display with a defence that looked in danger of being organised was a refreshing change. This is the game we need to take to Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool and Man Utd, if we don't get anything at least we won't be humiliated with 5 or 6 goals conceded.

More power to the Pochettino elbow, COYS.

 

I have to give it up to Naughton and Rose. I dread it every time I see either name in the starting 11, but they both played well. Lamela has his haters, but as others have mentioned he never has any help as he pushes forward. I think Dier has a long and successful career ahead of him as soon as he is moved to his natural position at CB, and lastly I hope we do not see Ade for a while. He has a horrible first touch and if Poch is all about the quick, intricate passing game I think either Soldado or Kane would be a better option. Room for improvement, but good showing all in all. COYS

 

I was glad to see Lamella get a yellow card - there is a grit to his game now which was lacking before.
Kaboul must have read the negative comment on here about him and answered in the best way possible. Between him and JV there is only one leader.
If Adebayor deserved a 5 then Harry Kane deserved at least the same as I saw no difference in their performances. MP deserves a 5 for making us play with 10 men.

 

Agree with most of the ratings especially the defence, best they've looked as a unit all year and they had to be away to the scum, Rose, im happy to say continues his good form, he may not be a natural LB but he does look like he's fighting for his place, Capoue and Mason were also solid, bit of a surprise to start with Mason but he didn't let down, what happened to Dembele ? not even on the bench. A lot of what Capoue brings goes completely unnoticed by many but he always does his job and had a massive job against and did it well and broke up a lot of their play. I still would have liked us to start with a three man MF against this lot. Chadli, other than a fine finish he did nothing, funny thing was he was just about to get subbed then he scores, nice one. Eriksen not as bad as some would say, he has in fact been dropping a bit deeper to help out and nice work to win the ball that lead to the goal. Lamela a tough one to rate but cant knock the effort, he and Eriksen will get better. Ade, not good and should have scored instead of completely mistiming and wrong-footing the ball, already looks like he needs a rest. Might be time to give someone else a go.

 

Any manager who replaces eriksen with the totally useless lennon in my book does not have a clue.what is lennon going to do score a goal not if his life depended on it, take a corner or free kick no. And why not its because he hasnt a clue how to kick a ball correctly.

 

Glad that Bentaleb didn't play from the start as his midweek game was shocking. He made the wrong decision constantly. Kane would have provided more than Ade in my opinion. Glad to see Naughton improving. Lennon may not have progressed as the winger and ball provider we would have liked but he does break up the opposition play well and gives them something to think about.

 

Good article. Kabs and Verts really looked like they understood the gravitas of the occasion and battled manfully. Naughton and Rose stuck to the task and as i've never been convinced by them, i was pleased to be surprised by their dedication and effort. Midfield worked extremely hard. Ade up front ? I do wonder how much the bouts of malaria have influenced his stamina, its a debilitating desease and not easily shrugged off, so that may be a factor. Great solid display. Thought Loris was the best of all, terrific performance. Coys.