If Tottenham scored one of the most audacious goals in the 112 years of the North London derby, perhaps Jose Mourinho’s caution cost him the chance to make history.
No Spurs manager had ever won his first three meetings with Arsenal, just as no Gunners manager had ever lost his first three meetings with neighbours and enemies, but Mikel Arteta could savour a fully deserved maiden victory on this stage.
While Erik Lamela scored a remarkable, ridiculous rabona, it was out of keeping with Spurs’ timid display and it summed up how their day went wrong when he was later red-carded.
Arsenal scored twice, hit the woodwork twice more and, while this was just a third win in eight league games, ensured they retain hope of finishing above their local rivals. They dented Tottenham’s quest for a top-four finish; Spurs, though, were culpable in their own demise. They were needlessly defensive.
Arsenal's triumph was all the more admirable a result as the pre-match indications were that they were enveloped in trouble. While Tottenham arrived buoyed by five successive wins, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's habit of turning up late meant he was benched.
The disciplinary action taken against the captain seemed to mean Arsenal were weakened but Alexandre Lacazette stood in as striker, scorer and skipper, adding to his fine derby record with the decider.
He won and converted the crucial spot kick. After he was found by Nicolas Pepe, Arteta’s influential substitute, Lacazette sliced his shot before Davinson Sanchez bundled into him. Michael Oliver gave the penalty and booked the Colombian. Lacazette duly sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way.
It capped a comeback. Scoring first can bode badly in this fixture, but Spurs did little to suggest they would break the deadlock as they afforded Arsenal possession and territory. Lamela joined Spurs as a replacement for Gareth Bale when he left in 2013. He struck here as a substitute for Heung-Min Son while Bale’s return to the fixture was a subdued affair. He was taken off for Moussa Sissoko after having a negligible impact.
Son’s first notable involvement brought his departure. The South Korean pulled up, holding his hamstring, after chasing a long ball. Tottenham lost one of their talismen before having a shot, and yet reaped a reward.
Lamela came on for him, but an infrequent scorer struck in unforgettable fashion. When Sergio Reguilon found Lucas Moura and he teed up the Argentinian, he improvised a finish, finding the far corner of Bernd Leno’s net.
While Lamela has a famous fondness for the rabona, the astonished look on Reguilon’s face illustrated how brilliant it was. Yet almost 40 minutes more elapsed before Tottenham had a further effort at goal, also from Lamela.
By then, they were behind. If Tottenham, by sitting deep, had challenged Arsenal to plot a path through their defence, they took another approach. Emile Smith Rowe let fly from 25 yards, unleashing a dipping shot that beat Lloris, bounced back off the bar and came agonisingly close to providing the youngster with a first Premier League goal.
Not for the first time, much of Arsenal’s best work involved the duo of Kieran Tierney and Smith Rowe, who gave Matt Doherty a torrid time. Lacazette shot wide after the Englishman carved out one chance with a burst of pace but Arsenal’s excellence on the left belatedly brought a leveller.
From Tierney’s cross, Martin Odegaard swivelled to shoot, though his effort took a telling deflection off Toby Alderweireld on its way in. If Odegaard, who had scored his first Arsenal goal against Olympiakos three days earlier, underlined why they would surely like to sign him, Tierney was terrific.
Arsenal’s other full-back also posed a threat. Cedric Soares raced on to a loose ball to thunder a shot against the post, with a motionless Lloris watching it strike wood. Tottenham eventually emulated them: Harry Kane was quiet until the last 10 minutes. Then, when offside, he had a goal disallowed before driving a free kick against the post. Before then, one by one, he lost his various lieutenants: the stricken Son, the substituted Bale, the sent-off Lamela.
Already booked for fouling Thomas Partey, the Argentinian thrust an arm into Tierney’s face with undue force. His afternoon brought both magic and misery, Arsenal’s disappointment followed by delight.
