Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham - PLAYER RATINGS: Laurent Koscielny puts in a real captain's performance to shut out striker Harry Kane in London derby

  • Arsenal won the north London derby with a comfortable 2-0 win over Tottenham
  • Alexis Sanchez was lively and deserved his goal, Shkodran Mustafi also scored
  • Laurent Koscielny put in a solid display to keep Harry Kane quiet all afternoon
  • Mesut Ozil looked at his best and shone, while Dele Alli didn't make an impact

Arsenal claimed the bragging rights of north London after they eased past rivals Tottenham in the early Premier League kick-off on Saturday.

Like any derby game it was action-packed, full of hard, meaningful tackles and had its fair share of controversy, too. In the end, goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez separated the two sides.

Sportsmail's ADAM SHERGOLD watched on from the press box at the Emirates Stadium to pick out the best and worst performers on the pitch.


 
Alexis Sanchez scored Arsenal's second goal to ensure victory over arch-rivals Tottenham

Alexis Sanchez scored Arsenal's second goal to ensure victory over arch-rivals Tottenham

ARSENAL (3-4-2-1)

Petr Cech - 6.5

This wasn't the busy afternoon Cech would have been expecting thanks in large part to the strength of the defending in front of him. Saved a low shot from Harry Kane early on and stretched out an arm to deny Eric Dier in the second-half.

Laurent Koscielny (capt) - 8.5

An absolute colossus at the back for the Gunners and the bedrock of the win. His personal duel with Harry Kane was fascinating and it's fair to say Koscielny was the resounding winner. A performance of command and composure.

Laurent Koscielny had an outstanding afternoon and kept Harry Kane quiet all game

Laurent Koscielny had an outstanding afternoon and kept Harry Kane quiet all game

Shkodran Mustafi - 9

An outstanding afternoon. Mustafi played with poise at the back to keep the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen quiet, not putting a foot wrong. Soared to score the opening goal, guiding his header in off the post. Equally important sliding block to frustrate Kane in the second-half. Excellent display.

Nacho Monreal - 7.5

A danger he may go unheralded against the performances of Koscielny and Mustafi but was an assured presence as Tottenham's dangerous front line was nullified.

Hector Bellerin - 8

Caused a headache for Jan Vertonghen, constantly making runs in behind. The threat of his pace and penetration caused alarm for Spurs and led to their wing-backs' reluctance to push on. It was Bellerin's lovely through pass that sprung Lacazette to create the second goal.

It was a typically good display from Hector Bellerin as he ran up and down the flank all game

It was a typically good display from Hector Bellerin as he ran up and down the flank all game

Aaron Ramsey - 7.5

Very good performance by the Welshman, who drove forward at every opportunity and supplied some intelligent through passes to send the wing-backs clear. Delivered the free-kick nicely for Mustafi's opening goal.

Granit Xhaka - 7

Not one of Arsenal's stand-out performers but played his part. Passing was on point and his positional sense tuned to the demands of the occasion. Lost his cool on one occasion, chopping down Alli in the first-half to receive a booking.

Sead Kolasinac - 7

This wasn't a game to go marauding forward but grew in confidence and stature as Arsenal took control. A continuation of his good form at the beginning of his Arsenal career.

Mesut Ozil - 8

Plenty of glimpses of the German's best here. A quiet first-half but improved after the break, with his inter-play and quick passing very impressive. One drive right through the middle stood-out and a superb trading of passes with Alexis Sanchez. Deserved the standing ovation he got when taken off.

Mesut Ozil looked back to his best and received a standing ovation for his performance

Mesut Ozil looked back to his best and received a standing ovation for his performance

Alexis Sanchez - 7.5

Struggled in the early stages but shook off the funk to turn in a good performance and provide some of the defining moments. He won the free-kick off Davinson Sanchez that led to the first goal, and then scored the second from close range, hammering the ball high into the net. Had other chances too so an encouraging display considering some of his form this season.

Alexandre Lacazette - 7

Thrown into the heat of the north London derby for the first time and produced a performance of energy to trouble Tottenham's shaky back line. His run in behind the defence led to the second goal and he received a standing ovation when taken off in the second half. Indeed many fans were baffled as to why he was replaced.

SUBSTITUTES

Francis Coquelin (for Lacazette 74) - 6

Arsene Wenger wanted to consolidate the lead and Coquelin helped do that.

Alex Iwobi (for Ozil 85)

SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: David Ospina (GK); Per Mertesacker, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck.

MANAGER: Arsene Wenger - 8

Got his tactics and game plan spot-on here when most expected Tottenham to overrun his side. Their back three were excellent and Arsenal took the chances that came their way. Will certainly take a lot of credit to the bank for this performance.

 

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (3-4-2-1)

Hugo Lloris (capt) - 6

Not too much Lloris could have done about the two goals - Mustafi's header was perfectly placed and the defenders should have done better, while Sanchez was allowed space to control and shoot.

Davinson Sanchez - 5.5

Struggled at times to keep Alexis Sanchez in check as the Chilean grew in confidence. It was the Spurs defender who dragged Sanchez back to concede the free-kick from which the first goal was scored and he played Lacazette onside in the build-up to the second, so a forgettable afternoon.

Davinson Sanchez was vulnerable at the back and struggled to deal with his Arsenal namsake

Davinson Sanchez was vulnerable at the back and struggled to deal with his Arsenal namsake

Eric Dier - 6

Intended to be the ball-playing centre half in the Tottenham back three in a similar way England want to deploy him next summer. Fine with that aspect of the game and made a number of important touches and blocks, but only to keep the score down.

Jan Vertonghen - 5

Will want to forget this performance very quickly. Looked very uncomfortable in a back three and without Toby Alderweireld alongside him. Passes went astray, his positioning was suspect and he didn't even get off the ground to challenge Mustafi for the opening goal. A struggle.

Kieran Trippier - 5

Struggled to get forward at all, such was the effectiveness of Arsenal's press on that side. That removed the danger of one of Tottenham's best performers this season and stifled their attack. A disappointingly sub-par performance.

Mousa Dembele - 6

Played at the base of midfield and kept his passing simple, freeing Sissoko to push forward. A solid enough performance, but lacked spark in common with most of his team-mates. Taken off for Harry Winks just after the hour mark.

Moussa Sissoko - 6

Not exactly a fan favourite at Spurs and, though he did try and drive them forward with bursts, there wasn't an end product. Too many passes didn't find their target, including an attempted through ball that Trippier just didn't pick up and it drifted solemnly out of play.

Ben Davies - 6.5

Got forward with greater regularity than Trippier and swung in a few good crosses that weren't capitalised on. But became more and more withdrawn as the match went on and Arsenal kept him contained for the most part.

Ben Davies was one of Tottenham's better performers on a day to forget for them

Ben Davies was one of Tottenham's better performers on a day to forget for them

Christian Eriksen - 5

Where was the man who ripped the Republic Ireland to shreds the other night? A very disappointing afternoon for the Dane, whose only moment of note was a shot that struck the outside of the post in the first half. Had that gone in, we might have had a different outcome. Otherwise, he barely saw the ball.

Dele Alli - 5

You barely noticed his presence to be honest and he didn't see much possession at all. Indeed he spent the first half drifting around searching for space that wasn't forthcoming. Replaced to ironic cheers with 15 minutes left after a very forgettable afternoon. When will he find his form again?

Harry Kane - 5

Clearly not match fit and cut a frustrated figure as he scrambled around looking for space. Comprehensively beaten in his one-on-one duel with Koscielny, losing every aerial challenge. Fired a couple off shots badly wide and was hooked toward the end.

Kane had a bad day at the office, he struggled for chances and looked off the pace 

Kane had a bad day at the office, he struggled for chances and looked off the pace 

SUBSTITUTES

Harry Winks (for Dembele 64) - 5

England man made little difference with the match already won.

Fernando Llorente (for Kane 76)

Son Heung-Min (for Alli 76)

SUBSTITUTES NOT USED Michel Vorm (GK); Juan Foyth, Serge Aurier, Kyle Walker-Peters

MANAGER: Mauricio Pochettino - 5

This was meant to be the afternoon Tottenham confirmed that the tectonic plates had shifted in north London. Instead, it was one of the most underwhelming performances of Pochettino's reign. Lacked authority at the back and loose toothless up front, to the surprise of all.

 

REFEREE: Mike Dean - 7

Managed to keep a lid on tempers, using his experience to issue yellow cards only when necessary.

ATTENDANCE 59,530