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Ange Postecoglou left rueing lack of VAR as Arsenal fuel title hopes

kieran crichard
·32-min read
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel celebrates after Arsenal fought back from a goal down to beat Tottenham Hotspur and move within four points of leaders Liverpool - Getty Images/Marc Atkins

Ange Postecoglou has made clear his disdain for technology in football, but how the Tottenham Hotspur head coach will have wished VAR could have intervened as Arsenal completed a hard-fought and deserved Premier League double.

They showed they had the stomach for the fight as anything short of three points would have spiralled them into crisis, introspection and recrimination. At the end, Mikel Arteta hugged set-piece coach Nicolas Jover with an intensity that revealed the tension. And the relief.

North London is red, as a banner unfurled prior to kick-off claimed and, maybe, the Premier League can, at last, be Arsenal’s also after a two-decade wait. They had to win to give themselves hope.

And so it was a victory that fuelled their title ambitions – and the fact is that if we are going to have a contest this season, it looks like they are the only ones who can challenge Liverpool.

No one would dispute that Arsenal were worthy winners, with Postecoglou understandably withering of his underperforming team. But the fact is the corner from which Arsenal scored should not have been allowed.

As Pedro Porro challenged Leandro Trossard, the ball bounced off the Arsenal attacker. That was obvious from the first replay and, in fact, appeared to be the case in real time but the corner was awarded.

The ball came off Leandro Trossard before going out for the corner from which Arsenal equalised
The ball came off Leandro Trossard before going out for the corner from which Arsenal equalised

The rules state that the VAR could not intervene because such incidents do not fit the criteria of deciding between a goal and no goal, even though it resulted in a goal. Given how the tightest of offsides is micro-managed and scrutinised how can that be? Arsenal scoring from a corner that was not even a corner when they won 10 corners and their fans serenade them as “Set-piece FC” is somewhat cruelly ironic.

But it will surely stick in the craw for Postecoglou who has passionately railed against how VAR is ruining the game even if, afterwards, he took it on the chin and accused his team of “not being good enough” in an “unacceptable” performance. After his declarations, maybe he felt it would have been hypocritical to claim Spurs were let down by VAR rules.

Instead, they are marooned in 13th place and have lost four more league games than they have won. That, too, is obviously unacceptable and raises the pressure on the Tottenham manager. If they were not in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, holding a 1-0 first-leg lead over Liverpool, where would he be?

From Declan Rice’s corner, it was the outstanding Gabriel Maghalaes who ran free at the far post, proving too strong for Radu Dragusin, even if his header had the fortune to come off Dominic Solanke before flying into the net for an own goal. It was not good either from Spurs’ new, 21-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky who had failed with a punch to reach Rice’s delivery and whose flamboyance became a hindrance.

He was even more at fault for the winning goal as Trossard’s shot somehow evaded his dive after Spurs had again lost the ball.

But it was the equaliser that proved to be the turning point. Make no mistake, anything short of an Arsenal win would have been a travesty. Maybe Spurs, hanging on throughout as Postecoglou acknowledged, were delaying the inevitable but the fact is they were 1-0 up when the rules let them down. Where does that leave the wild claims of some Arsenal fans that they are victims of a PGMOL-inspired conspiracy?

Spurs had survived a bombardment before they went ahead. In another irony, it also came from a corner, with a clearance reaching Son Heung-min on the edge of the penalty area. He was left unmarked – why? – and did well to control his volley. Even so, it probably would have been collected by David Raya if not for clipping off William Saliba and wrong-footing the goalkeeper.

By half-time, though, Spurs were 2-1 down and Postecoglou had seen enough as he took off his woeful central midfield pair of Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr and went more attacking. His best performers were a pair of 18-year-olds, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, but it was another 18-year-old, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was stealing the show and maybe also the eye of the watching England head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Left-back is a problem area for England but Lewis-Skelly has the skill and the competitive instinct and he epitomised Arsenal’s determination.

It was less of a good night for another would-be England international, albeit one hoping for a recall, in Raheem Sterling. He tried but looks devoid of confidence, and how they miss Bukayo Saka.

The fact is that for all of Arsenal’s supremacy, summed up by Rice’s midfield dominance, they are not taking their chances – this time it was Martin Odegaard who was wasteful – and despite this result the need for a centre-forward is urgent. In fact, they almost paid the price right at the end as, deep in injury time, a Porro cross swerved and struck the near post. Maybe Raya had it covered but he looked relieved.

Arsenal got over the line, with their players on the turf at the final whistle, even if Spurs were aggrieved at how the ball crossed the line for that crucial and controversial corner.

It is time for common sense – VAR should help referees with corner-kick decisions

No one who saw the video replays of Arsenal’s equaliser can be in any doubt that the ball came off Leandro Trossard before going out for the corner from which they scored. Referee Simon Hooper was clearly wrong to award the corner kick.

What a pity that, under the current laws of the game, VAR is not allowed to advise the referee of his error and rectify such an incorrect decision.

The current criteria available to VAR are:

  • Goal/no goal

  • Penalty/no penalty

  • Direct red card

  • Mistaken identity

There is no doubt in my mind that The Premier League and The Football Association should be making representation to the lawmakers Ifab to add correct/incorrect corner-kick decisions to the list.

To be honest, we know that a lot of communication is already taking place between VAR and referees during games.

Why not a bit of common sense and an unofficial whisper in the ear from VAR which might have assisted Hooper on this occasion and avoided a major error.

10:30 PM GMT

More from Arteta, speaking to TNT

10:30 PM GMT

Mikel Arteta talking to the BBC

“Outstanding today. From the first minute we were really at it, really intense. We played with a real purpose to hurt them. We created an unbelievable atmosphere.

“We know how important the game is. It is a gift we can make the supporters very happy. The attitude we played with, not feeling sorry for ourselves, was phenomenal. We played 120 minutes three days ago.

“We had some big chances and big situations. At the end we had to suffer more than we wanted.

“When you have opportunities [to close the gap] you have to take them. We are on a really consistent run in the Premier League. It is about recovery tomorrow and Aston Villa on Saturday, going and going.”

10:25 PM GMT

More from Ange Postecoglou, speaking to the BBC

“Yeah we could have got something but that is kind of irrelevant to the point that we were nowhere near the levels we needed to be at today.

“In the first half we were way too passive and let Arsenal get into a rhythm. We hung in there, we hung in there the whole game really. Second half was a bit better but nowhere near the level it needed to be.”

On the changes he made at half-time:

“We needed something. The fact we went out in the first half in such a big game and were so passive, it was unacceptable. And we paid a price for it.”

On the opening goal:

“When we play well and take the game to teams then we are at our best and we did not do that today.”

On Richarlison’s return from injury:

“Good to get him back. He has pretty much missed the whole season. But injuries are irrelevant if we are not going out there with the right sort of mindset in the team, and we did not today.”

10:23 PM GMT

Full TNT interview with Declan Rice

10:19 PM GMT

1-0 and 2-1 league victories over Tottenham this season for Arsenal

10:17 PM GMT

Son Heung-Min talking to TNT

“Very disappointing. This game means a lot to the club and fans. Conceding goals like this is more painful.

“The manager is right. We were too passive. We always want to press and play high up as possible. In the first half we were way too passive. Second half was a little better. The first half was not good enough.

“It is up to the players as well. You have to listen to what we want to do. I think we were not disciplined enough. We have to do better in every aspect. When you look at table it is not good enough.”

10:15 PM GMT

Arsenal up into second

10:14 PM GMT

Arsenal dominating recent north London derbies

10:13 PM GMT

The thoughts of Ange Postecoglou

“Nowhere near good enough, especially in the first half. We were too passive. We let Arsenal dictate the game. Second half was a little better not nowhere near good enough. Not acceptable.

“Ultimately the responsibility lies with me and how I prepare the players. I am more interested in how we play and we were not anywhere near the levels today.

“Go back to work and prepare for a tough game. Of course they [defeats] hurt me. Not acceptable. Too many losses this year. Too many games getting away from us. It needs to stop.

“No other way of looking at it. If you give up now, there is no point. Right now we have a big game against Everton this weekend. That is our focus.”

10:12 PM GMT

Declan Rice speaking to TNT

“We showed intent, pressure, desire, you can tell it was a derby. The feeling is we could have scored 10. You do not need a message when you play Spurs, you know what it means to the fans. We had fire in our belly. The game got stretched late on, but we could have had another five or six.

“It is just about repetition, I put my corners into an area and expect someone to get there. I get excited, and an extra bit of energy, I want to run. Tonight was a box-to-box role. With the centre-backs we have, you better be sure I am allowed to attack, because they mop up everything.”

10:06 PM GMT

Unbeaten at home

10:06 PM GMT

Tonight’s results

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

Leicester 0-2 Crystal Palace

Newcastle 3-0 Wolves

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham

10:02 PM GMT

The thoughts of Leandro Trossard

09:59 PM GMT

FT stats

Possession: Arsenal 53%-47% Tottenham

Shots: 14-10

Shots on target: 4-2

Corners: 10-4

Touches in opposition box: 47-20

09:57 PM GMT

The biggest talking point of the game

No one who saw the video replays of Arsenal’s equaliser can be in any doubt that the ball came off Leandro Trossard before going out for the corner from which they scored. Referee Simon Hooper was clearly wrong to award a corner kick.

What a pity that with such an important decision, under the current laws of the game, VAR is not allowed to advise the referee of his error and rectify such an incorrect corner-kick decisions.

The current criteria available to VAR are:

  • Goal/no goal

  • Penalty/no penalty

  • Direct red card

  • Mistaken identity

There is no doubt in my mind that The Premier League and The Football Association should be making representation to the lawmakers Ifab to add correct/incorrect corner-kick decisions to the list.

To be honest, we know that a lot of communication is already taking place between VAR and referees during games.

Why not a bit of common-sense and an unofficial whisper in the ear from VAR which might have assisted Hooper on this occasion and avoid a major error.

09:55 PM GMT

Full-time

There is the final whistle and Arsenal have won the north London derby 2-1 having been 1-0 down in the first half. They do the double over their north London rivals.

09:54 PM GMT

90+4 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Tottenham hit the post with just 60 seconds remaining. From a narrow angle from the right-hand side of the box Porro fires a shot goalwards and hits the outside of the post. He was so close to beating Raya at his near post.

09:53 PM GMT

90+3 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Time is running out for Tottenham to find an equaliser. Just 90 seconds remain.

09:51 PM GMT

90+1 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Gabriel is booked for pulling Solanke back off the ball.

09:49 PM GMT

90 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Five added minutes at the end of this edition of the north London derby.

09:46 PM GMT

86 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Richarlison sends in a dangerous ball from the left, looking for Solanke, but Gabriel does really well to get to it before Solanke and divert it behind.

Double Arsenal change:

ON Zinchenko, Merino

OFF Lewis-Skelly, Rice

Lewis-Skelly is booked as he makes his way off but that does not stop him from encouraging the crowd to make more noise.

09:44 PM GMT

84 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Odegaard has a great chance to finish off this match. Tierney picks him out in the box. The Arsenal captain takes on touch but then misses the target.

09:43 PM GMT

83 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Maddison sends in a dangerous cross from the right but Raya does well to pluck it out of the sky and catch it. Solanke was not far away from meeting that Maddison cross.

David Raya catches the ball ahead of a jumping Dominic Solanke
Plucked from the sky - Paul Childs/Reuters

09:40 PM GMT

80 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Spence goes down inside the Arsenal box wanting a penalty after a challenge from Saliba but those appeals are waved away. Correct decision not to award a penalty there.

09:38 PM GMT

78 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Tottenham change:

ON Richarlison

OFF Son

Arsenal are so short of attacking options that they’ve asked Kieran Tierney to play on the left side of their front three. It would be safe to say this is not the Scotland international’s usual position.

Should we be surprised that Son has been taken off for Spurs? Perhaps not based on his recent performances. But it’s still a bold call, given Son’s status in the team and his experience in these matches.

09:36 PM GMT

76 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

What are Tottenham doing? They are crazy in possession deep in their own half, trying to play out with Arsenal players swarmed around them. Spence loses it just outside his own box and Arsenal take it into the penalty area. First Havertz makes a mess of the opportunity and then Martinelli has a shot blocked.

Arsenal change:

ON Tierney

OFF Trossard

09:33 PM GMT

73 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Chances at both ends. First for Tottenham as Arsenal lose possession. Solanke takes on an effort just inside the Arsenal box which is blocked by Gabriel.

Then down the other end Rice sends a stinging shot from just outside the box but his effort is straight at Kinsky.

I’m not sure Arteta will be enjoying how open this game has become. Arsenal are creating chances but they are also leaving space for Spurs to attack. When Spurs attack, they look dangerous and they have no choice but to roll the dice now.

09:28 PM GMT

69 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Martinelli dribbles into the box and probably should have passed to Havertz, who likely would have had a tap-in had Martinelli found him.

09:24 PM GMT

64 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Rice wins Arsenal yet another corner in this match as Gray is forced to head behind. Rice’s delivery is woeful though as he cannot beat the front man Porro.

09:22 PM GMT

63 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Kinsky has been very lucky tonight that he has not been punished for taking way too long on the ball inside his own box.

09:20 PM GMT

61 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Arsenal change:

ON Martinelli

OFF Sterling

09:19 PM GMT

59 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Trossard goes down and wants a penalty but that is never a penalty. Kulusevski does not catch Trossard and unsurprisingly neither the on-field referee nor VAR has any intention of giving that a penalty.

Kulusevski has been Tottenham’s best player this season but he’s having a horrible time out there at the moment. Every time he gets the ball he is getting clamped by one of Lewis-Skelly or Rice. They are simply throwing him off the ball.

Leandro Trossard goes down wanting a penalty
No penalty - Glyn Kirk/Getty Images

09:16 PM GMT

57 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Another headed opportunity for Havertz. Partey sends in a cross from the right and picks out Havertz but his header is straight at Kinsky.

Moments later Sterling has a great opportunity inside the Tottenham box but he takes too long on the ball and the chance is gone.

09:12 PM GMT

53 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Odegaard sends in an inswinger from the right into a dangerous area. Havertz has a chance inside the six-yard box but his header misses the target. Havertz really should have hit the target there.

Kai Havertz reacts after missing a chance
Chance for Arsenal to extend their lead - Dylan Martinez/Reuters

09:11 PM GMT

51 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Just after Maddison’s cross from the left-hand side of the box is cut out by Raya, Saliba loses the ball deep inside his own half and is lucky to get away with it as Raya prevents the ball from going behind for a corner.

09:09 PM GMT

50 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Son shoots from the edge of the box but his effort is blocked by his own teammate Solanke.

09:08 PM GMT

49 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

It will be intriguing to see how Ange Postecoglou reacts to the decision, mistaken as it turns out, to award the corner to which Arsenal owe their half-time lead. Not shy of opinions about officiating of late, the Australian looked furious on the touchline as the last touch came off Leandro Trossard and not, as the assistant referee adjudged, Pedro Porro. An advocate for cutting out unnecessary intrusions of technology, the Tottenham manager might have cause to change his tune this time.

09:06 PM GMT

46 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Sterling has an early chance in this second half on the left-hand side of the box but his effort is blocked.

09:04 PM GMT

Second half

We are back under way at the Emirates. Tottenham are making a double change as Maddison and Johnson come on for Sarr and Bissouma.

09:02 PM GMT

HT stats

Possession: Arsenal 64%-36% Tottenham

Shots: 4-2

Shots on target: 1-2

Corners: 7-3

Touches in opposition box: 23-4

08:56 PM GMT

Current scores

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa (67’)

Leicester 0-1 Crystal Palace (67’)

Newcastle 2-0 Wolves (67’)

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham (HT)

08:49 PM GMT

Half-time

The half-time whistle goes and Arsenal, who were 1-0 down with around five minutes left of normal time in the half, are 2-1 up at the break.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, the 18-year-old local lad, appears to be enjoying his first north London derby after Arsenal team-mate Leandro Trossard put his side ahead over rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Bragging rights incoming? - Marc Atkins/Getty Images

08:47 PM GMT

45 mins: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Four added minutes at the end of this first half.

08:44 PM GMT

GOAL! Trossard smashes Arsenal into the lead

A few minutes ago, Tottenham were 1-0 up. Now they are 2-1 down. Arsenal win it on halfway and Odegaard shifts it out to Trossard in space on the left. He moves into the box and shoots towards the far corner. Kinsky should save it but allows it to go past his hands and into the bottom right corner.

Bissouma simply can’t lose possession in that part of the field, at that moment of the game. For the first time in a while, Arsenal were ruthless in punishing the error.

One of the criticisms you could make of Arsenal is that they don’t shoot often enough. That Trossard goal showed what can happen if you just let loose every now and then.

Leandro Trossard celebrates his goal
From 1-0 down, Arsenal now lead 2-1 - Paul Childs/Reuters

08:43 PM GMT

42 mins: Arsenal 1 Tottenham 1

Havertz is the first Arsenal player to be booked tonight for a nasty late challenge on Dragusin. Definite yellow card.

08:40 PM GMT

GOAL! Hosts equalise through Solanke own goal after controversial corner decision

Arsenal are level and it comes from the head of Gabriel from a corner. Rice swings in the delivery all the way beyond the back post and finds the head of Gabriel. It comes off Solanke and goes into the net. It may well go down as an own-goal. Tottenham are furious on the sidelines with the decision to give a corner and the replays suggest the last touch came off Trossard so the corner should not have been given in the first place.

Arsenal’s best player so far has been young Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is thumping into tackles and driving forward with the ball. A local lad, he understands the requirements of the derby.

It was his tackle that led to Gabriel’s equaliser. Arsenal’s latest goal from a corner.

The ball seemingly coming off Trossard last, which should have been a goal-kick
Arsenal should not have been awarded a corner, which led to the goal

08:35 PM GMT

35 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 1

Rice sends in an inswinger from the left, which Kinsky punches away from danger.

08:34 PM GMT

34 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 1

Kulusevski commits a silly, needless foul on Odegaard just outside his own penalty area which gifts Arsenal a free-kick in a dangerous area.

Odegaard flicks it to the far post, trying to pick out Partey, but Bissouma heads behind for a corner.

08:32 PM GMT

32 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 1

Porro is now back on the pitch and will try and continue.

08:31 PM GMT

30 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 1

A sublime piece of skill and turn from Trossard gets him past Porro and into the Tottenham box on the left and his effort is blocked. Play is then stopped as Porro went down as Trossard spun him. He is receiving some treatment.

08:27 PM GMT

27 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 1

The first yellow of the night goes to Sarr for delaying the restart after Arsenal had won a free-kick on halfway.

The atmosphere in the Emirates has been superb so far, probably the best of this season, but it could turn quite quickly if Arsenal don’t produce a quick response to that opening goal. Arsenal need urgency and to maintain their early aggression.

08:25 PM GMT

GOAL! Son gives Tottenham the lead

The visitors are ahead. Arsenal were all over them for the opening 20 minutes but they are behind. A corner from the right is headed out to the edge of the box and Son has a long time to watch it down. The Tottenham captain takes it on the volley and it nestles into the bottom right corner via the aid of a deflection.

Son Heung-Min celebrates his goal
Tottenham take the lead in the north London derby - Catherin Ivill/Getty Images

08:23 PM GMT

22 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Tottenham have barely ventured into the Arsenal half but they come very close to scoring here. Spence drives down the left from inside his own half and plays a delightful cross into the box with the outside of his right foot. Solanke looks like he might have a tap-in but Gabriel slides in with a crucial intervention to put it behind for a corner. Terrific defending.

From the corner Kulusevski has a fantastic chance from around eight yards out but he hits it straight at Raya. Tottenham have been under the pump for the first 20 minutes but they could so easily have taken the lead there.

Spurs spent 20 minutes in backs-to-the-wall defence mode but they have just created the two best chances of the game so far. Solanke is a yard away from being able to score, and then Kulusevski really should beat Raya from inside the six-yard box. That will give Spurs oxygen and optimism.

08:18 PM GMT

17 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Kinsky is so, so lucky. He takes way too long on the ball inside his own box and Havertz slides in to stop the ball forward. Kinsky is left scrambling to recover the ball and he just about smothers the ball. Big left-off for the Tottenham goalkeeper.

08:17 PM GMT

16 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Tottenham can barely get out of their half at the moment and now they are defending a free-kick around 10 yards outside their own penalty area. Odegaard sends it in and Kinsky makes a mess of the punch away. Trossard then cannot get good contact on his shot but the offside flag is up anyway from the initial free-kick.

Complete dominance by Arsenal so far, with Sterling and Odegaard seeing plenty of the ball on the right flank. Spurs can’t get out of their own half. They won’t be able to survive for 90 minutes like this, but equally Arsenal won’t be able to attack with such intensity for 90 minutes.

08:13 PM GMT

13 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

A cross is sent in from the right and picks out Trossard but his shot towards goal is blocked. Tottenham under pressure in these early stages and it is currently all Arsenal.

08:11 PM GMT

11 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Odegaard whips in a free-kick from the right which Kinsky punches into a teammate and it goes behind for a corner. Odegaard is the man to take the next set-piece and his delivery goes beyond the far post. Gabriel’s header is blocked and then Trossard’s effort goes behind for another corner. Arsenal already up to four corners.

Rice this time sends in an inswinger from the left and Kinsky punches away much further this time.

08:08 PM GMT

8 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Odegaard slips the ball forward to Sterling on the right-hand side of the box and his cross is blocked behind for a corner by Gray. Arsenal take the corner short but Trossard’s attempted cross is blocked by Porro. The ball never got into the Tottenham penalty area.

08:05 PM GMT

5 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Arsenal have the first corner of the night as Dragusin blocked Lewis-Skelly’s cross. Rice tries to find an onrushing Trossard beyond the far post but the delivery is over-hit and goes behind for a goal-kick.

08:03 PM GMT

3 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Big chance for the home side. Sterling is found in space by Lewis-Skelly on the edge of the box but he slows down just as he had the chance to shoot and Kinsky is out to prevent the opportunity. What was Sterling doing? He has wasted a golden chance. He never looked entirely convinced or confident when the ball came to him.

Raheem Sterling challenges for the ball with Djed Spence and Antonin Kinsky
Raheem Sterling spurns a good early opportunity - Paul Childs/Reuters

08:02 PM GMT

2 mins: Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Spence fouls Sterling and Arsenal have a free-kick near the right touchline, presenting the hosts with a decent early opportunity. Rice sends in a dangerous ball but the visitors just about clear the ball away from danger.

08:00 PM GMT

Kick-off

We are under way at the Emirates.

07:58 PM GMT

Kick-off fast approaching

Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at the Emirates.

Arsenal have gone heavy on the pre-match build-up. We’ve had fireworks, flamethrowers, flags and banners. The club wants it loud tonight.

Inside the Emirates with fireworks going off before kick-off
Atmosphere building ahead of kick-off - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

07:54 PM GMT

Reminder of the teams

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Sterling, Havertz, Trossard.

Substitutes: Neto, Tierney, Martinelli, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia.

Tottenham: Kinsky, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.

Substitutes: Austin, Reguilon, Richarlison, Maddison, Johnson, Lankshear, Moore, Olusesi, Hardy.

07:46 PM GMT

Action already under way

There are three 7.30pm kick-offs that have already got going. Everton are hosting Aston Villa in David Moyes’ first game back in charge at Goodison Park, Leicester City are hosting Crystal Palace and Newcastle are at home against Wolves. You can keep up to date with all the action from the other games with our live blog.

07:38 PM GMT

The man you have never heard of tasked with saving Arsenal’s season

One of the most powerful and important employees of Arsenal Football Club could probably take the tube to Holloway Road, walk to the Emirates Stadium among thousands of supporters, sit in the ground for 90 minutes and make it back home without being recognised by anyone.

If he wanted to, he could probably also enter one of the north London pubs where the Arsenal fans gather to discuss their team. He could listen to the debates about which players should be bought or sold. He could hear the arguments about the forwards at Mikel Arteta’s disposal, and the strikers that must be signed, and leave without saying a word.

And then, when he gets back to work, Jason Ayto would continue to lead Arsenal’s transfer business and negotiations. The 39-year-old lives a professional life that is low profile but highly significant for one of England’s biggest clubs, for whom he is currently the interim sporting director.

Sam Dean has the full details.

07:31 PM GMT

It is more fun to be a Spurs fan than an Arsenal supporter

The unshakeable Spursyness of Tottenham Hotspur under Ange Postecoglou has been well established, but in recent weeks their great rivals are beginning to look distinctly Arsenal-y. Just what that means is tougher to define than for their north London derby opponents.

First there was a surprise throwback to the pragmatic George Graham teams with Mikel Arteta’s reliance on set-pieces this season, then faint echoes of the near misses and hard-luck stories which blighted the late Arsene Wenger era. All with the familiar soundtrack of an always-lively online fanbase making their feelings heard.

To read more from our senior sports writer Thom Gibbs, click here.

07:22 PM GMT

North London derbies’ youngsters

07:05 PM GMT

Visitors arriving

07:00 PM GMT

Passion and intensity

The north London derby is a night for passion and intensity, but it also requires cool heads and composure. For both Arsenal and Spurs, there are teenagers in the team who need to be able to handle the occasion.

It feels quite remarkable that three 18-year-olds are starting the game. For Arsenal, it is left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly. For Spurs, it is Archie Gray (playing at centre-back) and Lucas Bergvall, their midfielder.

These are players of enormous talent. We can all see that. But tonight will be a test of mentality as much as a measure of their technical ability.

06:50 PM GMT

Tottenham team news

06:48 PM GMT

Arsenal team news

06:40 PM GMT

Preview: Bragging rights (and crucial points) on the line

By Rob Bagchi

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the 176th league north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur though technically the first eight were simply capital derbies between a team from Woolwich and one from north London.

Spurs, who were taken to extra-time by a very game Tamworth side in the FA Cup on Sunday, have lost four and drawn one of the last five meetings and have not won at the Emirates since 2010 when they came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 by virtue of Younes Kaboul’s late winner. They are also on a run of only four points from their last seven games having been ravaged by injury in central defence and reliant on the versatile talents of Archie Gray and Djed Spence to hold the fort.

Arsenal, who were beaten by Manchester United on Sunday five days after their profligacy in front of goal was punished by Newcastle in the League Cup semi-final, first leg, could cut Liverpool’s lead at the top to four points through victory today which would also take them above Nottingham Forest and six points clear of Chelsea.

Six wins and three draws in their last nine Premier League games would suggest they are in rude health but draws are such devalued currency in the modern game – it is better to lose four games over a season than draw seven, say –  that possibly deceptively they appear to be toiling. It seems to this observer that it is a problem of finishing not a lack of creativity or too much caution, and I’m sure some from the red tribe will cast an envious eye at Dominic Solanke in the white shirt tonight.

Both sides come into the game with too many key players sidelined. For Spurs Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert and now Timo Werner are all out though Richarlison is back in the squad. Arsenal are missing Gabriel Jesus, who may be out for months, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Takehiro Tomiyasu while Riccardo Calafiori is touch and go.