Skip to content

Graeme Souness: We saw two Arsenals in win over Spurs

Arsenal players celebrate with Skhodran Mustafi after his opening goal in the win over Tottenham
Image: Arsenal players celebrate with Skhodran Mustafi after his opening goal in the win over Tottenham

Arsenal showed two sides to their game in their impressive 2-0 victory over Tottenham on Saturday, says Graeme Souness.

Goals from Skhodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal all three points in the north London derby, with Arsene Wenger's side putting in a professional performance to condemn Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino to his first Premier League derby defeat.

Speaking after the game, Souness said Arsenal displayed their attacking, creative side in the first half, and were then disciplined in the second, something the Sky Sports pundit admits is not typical of Wenger's Arsenal.

"If I was Arsene Wenger I'd be delighted with the performance, because you saw the two Arsenals. In the first half they were on the front foot creating chances and then when the game turned he didn't even have to come on the touchline to give instruction. They were solid and less adventurous.

"Next time out Arsenal travel to Burnley. Which Arsenal is going to turn up there? Will it be the same team that are motivated, bang at it and win all the challenges that matter?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Arsene Wenger praised Arsenal's defensive concentration in the win

"Today was a special performance, but there is still the lingering question what Arsenal will turn up next week."

But Souness noted that Arsenal need to show consistency after putting in impressive performances like this, and says teams need "two hats to wear" if they are going to win the Premier League.

Also See:

"They're at it today because it's one of the biggest games they play, the north London derby, the atmosphere and build-up and everything.

"The biggest question for Arsenal fans who have watched for the last decade: will they do it again and again? The answer is no.

Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal against Spurs
Image: Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal against Spurs

"To win our league, you have to have a couple of hats to wear. One is being able to go to war, do the dirty stuff and be aggressive, and then when it's a game of football, slip into the game of football.

"That's what Arsenal can't do. They get bullied by lesser teams when it's not a game of football, and that's what they need to solve again if they are going to win this league."

Former Gunners striker Thierry Henry echoed Souness' words, and says Arsenal must back up this win with strong performances in their upcoming games.

Arsenal go to Burnley next Sunday, before hosting Huddersfield and then Manchester United at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger looks on from his technical area
Image: Wenger's Arsenal showed attacking creativity and solidity at the Emirates

"The way they played today was just brilliant. They were compact, and wanted to win the game from the first whistle, they were at it," he said.

"The front three put the defence under pressure, the wing-backs were sound too. Again, the question mark is still there, can you do that more often please?

"The performance they put on today, they're going to have to back it up now, and make sure you play like that all of the time."

Around Sky