Arsenal star Granit Xhaka gets the last laugh after ignoring North London Derby warning
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Granit Xhaka was guilty of letting an unwanted habit rear its head as Arsenal let their lead slip in the first half of the clash with Tottenham – but later redeemed himself with a goal to seal North London Derby delight.
The midfielder was in brilliant form in the opening games of the season and his performances helped send the Gunners top of the Premier League before Spurs visited their local rivals on Saturday afternoon. Xhaka was entrusted with the captain’s armband in the 3-0 victory over Brentford and was displaying the cool head which evaded him throughout much of his up-and-down time with Arsenal.
However, the Swiss was at fault as Mikel Arteta’s side gave away a penalty with half an hour on the clock in the derby. Xhaka attempted to play a bouncing ball backwards while in his own penalty area when a clearance would have been the wiser option.
Spurs forward Richarlison pounced on the loose ball and was almost fouled by Xhaka before he was eventually brought down by Gabriel, who was the intended target of his teammate’s scuffed pass. Harry Kane made no mistake from 12 yards, converting his penalty down the middle with aplomb.
The England captain’s goal brought Spurs level after Thomas Partey gave the hosts the lead with a powerful, bending effort from well outside the penalty area. Fortunately for Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus capitalised on an error from Hugo Lloris to restore Arsenal’s lead shortly after half-time – and he then struck to give the Gunners a two-goal lead.
Xhaka combined with Gabriel Martinelli and finished powerfully into the bottom corner to prompt raucous celebrations around the Emirates, putting Arsenal on the brink of yet another top-flight victory to extend their lead at the table’s summit.
What did you make of Granit Xhaka’s performance against Tottenham? Have your say in the comments…
Xhaka’s moment of madness and subsequent goal came after Highbury legend David Seaman warned him to “keep his head” against Tottenham. The former England goalkeeper told the Seaman Says podcast: “When you talk about those two in midfield for Spurs [Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur], I’m thinking, ‘Xhaka, keep your head’. Keep your head, because these are the sort of games where he can get into trouble.”
Although Xhaka will be disappointed to have played a key role in the build-up to Gabriel conceding the penalty, he responded well with his finely-taken goal and, as ever, was an imposing presence in the midfield. The Gunners had little trouble seeing out the remaining 23 minutes at the Emirates – despite Antonio Conte making numerous substitutions in search of a goal to halve the deficit – and their victory sent them four points clear at the top.