The North London derby is always a hotly contested affair. The rivalry runs back decades and the level of animosity between fans of both sides is high to say the least. And even with the ‘it’s only the League Cup’ angle this evening, Spurs and Arsenal served up a cracker at White Hart Lane, which ended as a 2-1 win for the visiting side.
Mathieu Flamini – possibly only in the team due to Francis Coquelin’s injury issues – netted both Gunners goals, either side of a Calum Chamber OG. So, what did we learn from this all-capital city affair? Well, here are THREE things…
Flamini may not be a write off…
https://vine.co/v/eP9zAtxQHBY/embed/simpleMathieu Flamini’s relationship with Arsenal fans has grown strained in recent times. Upon his return as a free agent many were happy to have the Frenchman on board, but his advancing years and yellow card-proneness have made him a bit of a walking hazard. However, this evening the Frenchman was freed up in a slightly more advanced role, in which he flourished. Two goals and an all-round impressive display against good opposition suggests that he still has something to offer.
Harry Kane needs some luck
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Harry Kane’s wait for that elusive first goal of the season continues… Last season the striker rose to prominence in spectacular fashion with 31 efforts in all competitions, but this term the back of the net seems much harder to find.
Kane is by no means a bad player, but it seems that he’s trying too hard right now, while lady luck is not yet shining on him. An offside goal was the tip of the iceberg for the 22-year-old at White Hart Lane this evening, with Kieran Gibbs heading a wonderful scissor kick off the line.
To make matters worse he collided with the advertising barriers (above). Ouch!
Joel Campbell’s Arsenal career may as well be over
There was a feeling of shock when Campbell’s name featured among Arsenal’s starters. The Costa Rican hadn’t been in Arsene Wenger’s XI since January – albeit he’s been away on loan – making this a rare, rare opportunity for the Central American to impress.
However, he once again hovered on the peripheries of the game, with his pace and guile somewhat nullified out wide. Campbell is not a bad player, but it doesn’t look like he has a real chance of ever making an impact at Arsenal A January move surely beckons…