Arsenal match analysis: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang misses golden chance to cap tactical victory for Unai Emery

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James Olley2 March 2019

Arsenal were a penalty kick away from beating Tottenham at Wembley Stadium, as the north London derby ended in a 1-1 draw .

Aaron Ramsey’s first-half goal looked set to be winning strike in what will be his final match in this famous derby, before Spurs were awarded a controversial penalty with a little over 15 minutes on the clock.

Harry Kane – who was offside in the build-up - converted to bring the sides level, before the Gunners were awarded one of their own.

That two was dubious, with Davinson Sanchez adjudged to have fouled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with 90minutes on the clock.

The Gabonese forward stepped up but saw his effort saved by Hugo Lloris.

A missed opportunity, or a decent point? James Olley offers his analysis of the match from Arsenal’s perspective…

Photo: AP Photo/Tim Ireland
AP Photo/Tim Ireland

Aubameyang wastes golden chance for Arsenal

The game ticked into stoppage-time at 1-1 when Aubameyang stood with the ball on the penalty spot and a chance to hand Arsenal a potentially pivotal north London derby win. His effort was tame, however, and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris went low to his right to save. Alex Iwobi picked up the loose ball and squared it for Aubameyang but his follow-up effort was brilliantly blocked by Jan Vertonghen. It is impossible to know at this stage how important that miss could turn out to be but Arsenal’s top four hopes would have been immeasurably boosted with a win here

Tactical victory for Emery

Arsenal’s starting line-up contained several big calls and the surprising decision to operate with a back four. Shkodran Mustafi deputised at right-back while top goalscorer Aubameyang and the club’s highest-paid player, Mesut Ozil, were left on the bench. Emery opted to use Aaron Ramsey as a number ten in a 4-2-3-1 system with Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi anchoring the midfield.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Lucas Torreira replaced Guendouzi at half-time but the Gunners were leading by that stage and had frustrated Spurs, who badly lacked creativity in central midfield. They were denied the win their performance deserved but nevertheless Arsenal’s effectiveness for long periods makes this a vindication of Emery’s decision-making overall

Ramsey makes his mark in last north London derby

On a ground where Ramsey scored FA Cup Final winning goals in 2014 and 2017, the Welshman made his mark once again by opening the scoring with a well-taken 16th-minute strike here.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

The 28-year-old was heavily influential in the reverse fixture when coming on as a half-time substitute in December’s 4-2 win, with Emery claiming afterwards that Ramsey’s history with Tottenham was a factor in bringing him on. He earned a start here and was central to Arsenal’s effective counter-attacking. The decision to allow him to join Juventus for nothing looks questionable on days like this.

Leno produces his best moment for Arsenal

Spurs were just getting up a head of steam approaching half-time when Christian Eriksen found himself free in the box. Bernd Leno produced a fine point-blank save to deny him but the save to keep out Moussa Sissoko’s follow-up was even better.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Getting up quickly, and flying to his left, Leno thrust out his left hand and somehow turned the ball over the crossbar. Petr Cech has pushed Leno all the way this season and the German has not always convinced but this was probably his finest moment since joining from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a £19.2million deal.

Torreira banned for Man United game

Deep in stoppage-time, Torreira lunged into a tackle with Danny Rose but went over the top of the ball and caught the Spurs defender. Referee Anthony Taylor issued a straight red card and unless the Gunners appeal – something which based on the incident itself would seem foolhardy – the midfielder will miss three matches, starting with next Sunday’s huge encounter against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

After that, Arsenal play Newcastle and home and Everton away. Given the gap in domestic fixtures created by their absence from the FA Cup quarter-finals, Torreira can’t play again in the League until 15 April when Arsenal travel to Watford.

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