How Arsenal’s ‘space invaders’ immobilised Tottenham in North London Derby humiliation
ARSENAL outclassed Tottenham in a dominant north London derby that ended in humiliation.
The Gunners secured a 4-1 victory at the Emirates thanks to an Eberechi Eze hat-trick.
The hosts restricted Thomas Franks’ side to just four touches in the box as Richarlison’s goal came from 40 yards.
The victory puts Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League with their sights set on a first title since 2003.
In our hit YouTube show Tactics Exposed, Dean Scoggins explains how Arsenal got the better of their neighbors…
Eberechi Eze’s “space invader” movement
Eze was the star of the show with his three goals to rub salt into the wounds for Spurs – who had tried to sign him in the summer.
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The midfielder was clinical in front of goal, with his every effort proving unstoppable for Guglielmo Vicario.
But it was the former Crystal Palace player’s clever movement that allowed him to find space and time at the top of the Tottenham box.
Eze was consistently found 18 yards from goal with many scoring without a marker near him.
His movement gave him the opportunity to take his time and pick his spot with his effort streaking towards the net.
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This awareness allows Eze to detect dangerous moments to threaten opportunity as he puts himself in a space invader type position.
Arteta has helped Eze become more of a goal threat by placing him at number 10 in the absence of Martin Odegaard.
Mikel Merino, “the loving man”
Mikel Merino is handed a huge responsibility for Arsenal as he has proven to be a more than capable false-nine operator.
He found himself as a magnetic man in midfield who allowed players like Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka to get inside.
The Spaniard was also dropping deep to help build and it showed in the opening goal.
Merino dropped down to collect the ball and played a delightful pass over the top of the defense for Trossard to pounce on him for the opener.
He would also drift into the wide pockets that had been vacated by the two wingers to create an overload on the Spurs defenders.
His movement was crucial and often distorted markers to create gaps in the Tottenham backline.
The makeshift striker would also drop into midfield when out of possession to solidify Arsenal’s team and stop Spurs’ press.
Mikel Arteta – “tactical genius”
Mikel Arteta has prepared for Spurs’ back five and aims to play long balls and win turnovers to start their game.
He was able to ask his players to block the first pass by bringing in his full-backs.
This prevented Richarlison from recovering the ball at his feet and often cut off the visitors’ attacks.
Whenever there was a move it was usually messy with Arsenal’s extra players able to win the second ball.
Arteta was also able to take advantage of Spurs’ two-man midfield by simply exploiting the spaces alongside them.
To progress up the pitch, Riccardo Calafiori would come into midfield and create more passing options.
Spurs wingers Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence were also often pushed back by the combination of wingers and Calafiori and Jurrien Timber.
Jurrien Timber – “best full-back in the Premier League”
Timber once again showed his best form against Spurs and further proved that he is at the top of the Premier League.
He was able to partner effectively with Bukayo Saka as their partnership excelled once again.
While Saka hugs the touchline, Timber is able to exploit the space left inside with his bursting underneath runs.
Against Tottenahm it overloaded Spence, which was evident in the movement before the first goal.
After the break, Timber showed off his expert defensive skills, winning duels and disrupting Spurs to keep Arsenal on top.
He and Riccardo Calafiori get live coaching on the sideline, but more importantly, they understand rotations.
This allows Saka and Merino to move, Declan Rice can pop up, Martin Zubimendi will sit and anyone who leaves an area is instantly replaced.
Timber doesn’t just stand in these spaces: he plays from them, progressing through the movement.
Piero ‘the hero’ Hincapie
There has always been debate over whether it would be Piero Hincapie or Cristhian Mosquera who would face Spurs.
But it was the Ecuadorian who got the nod and it proved to be an excellent choice from Arteta.
He kept the balance on the left side intact and allowed William Saliba to stay in his natural place.
The question also arose whether to use a more defensive left-back to protect a new centre-back – there was no need. Hincapié was exceptional, in the air and on deck.
His starting positions echoed Gabriel’s and his instincts were those of an elite.
When Saliba engaged Richarlison, whether competing for a header or intervening, Hincapie was able to read the next move.
He anticipated where the ball would land and sucked up the second ball.
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On the ball, the biggest compliment is that it was barely noticed.
Hincapie did not force the play and recycled himself cleanly to the full-backs, or to Zubimendi and Rice without frills or fuss.