Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham as Viktor Gyokeres and four others get 9/10

Arsenal hammered Tottenham to get their Premier League charge back on track with Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both enjoying stellar outings in the north London derby

Arsenal reclaimed their authority and poise in the Premier League title race with a crucial north London Derby triumph. It wasn’t straightforward; they never are, but the three points are among the most significant of the campaign thus far.

Eberechi Eze handed the Gunners the advantage following excellent work from Bukayo Saka down the right flank. Declan Rice, though, surrendered possession to Randal Kolo Muani near the area and he made no error beating Raya with a low strike.

That would be how the first-half ended with the Gunners once more questioning how they’d allowed the advantage to slip and similarly how they’d not done more with their dominance. That transformed at the beginning of the second half with Viktor Gyokeres dispatching a curling effort around Guglielmo Vicario.

The match was then secured thanks to another Eze goal, a fortunate deflection off Joao Palhinha falling at his feet for an empty net. Gyokeres netted a fourth before the conclusion, courtesy of a Martin Odegaard assist. Here is how football.london assessed the displays of the Arsenal stars.

READ MORE: Eberechi Eze in awkward Sky Sports moment after Arsenal thrash Tottenham – ‘Not simple’READ MORE: Arsenal and Man City next five Premier League fixtures compared as title race hots up

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David Raya

Emerged effectively to read a deflected ball that almost dropped to Conor Gallagher’s run. Helpless for the goal following Rice’s mistake, and handled everything else directed at him superbly to gather crosses and save a Xavi Simons effort. Then, right at the death, delivered an incredible clawed dive backwards to deny Richarlison from finding the net. 9.

Jurrien Timber

Was cautioned in the first half following a wayward pass, which he subsequently needed to cynically bring down Sarr on the break. What a superb delivery into the box to locate Gyokeres for the Gunners’ second. Given he was not fully fit, it is understood, for the fixture, he performed exceptionally. 8.

William Saliba

Had an excellent headed opportunity drift wide in the early moments following the first set-piece routine. But remained solid throughout and composed, numerous positive instances of assurance too, where he would control a touch into space beyond his marker and identify a superior pass. 9.

Gabriel

Was involved in some physical battles with Randal Kolo Muani all throughout the encounter but prevailed, and did receive a slice of fortune when the Frenchman believed he’d netted but the referee Peter Bankes had whistled for a foul. 8.

Piero Hincapie

Excellent delivery across to locate Saka in the centre, and he ought to have converted from it. Needlessly conceded a corner from a Dragusin throw that was drifting out for a harmless goal kick. But ultimately, he emerges with his head held high, defended exceptionally well and maintained his composure in a highly emotional encounter. 8.

Martin Zubimendi

Has faced some criticism in recent weeks, but rediscovered some of his finest form again, which could not have arrived at a better moment. Metronomic in the middle and excellent in transition. 8.

Declan Rice

Dreadful error to hand Spurs an equaliser from absolutely nothing, and immediately after he had called for calm following the opening goal. He recovered from that nightmarish first half and grafted extremely hard in the second period to compensate for his mistake with some excellent interceptions. 6.

Eberechi Eze

Another goal against Tottenham, finding the finish with the ball hip height, doing well to get his foot over the ball. Had the opportunity to net the third for his side, with space from the left where many would prefer to see him start he cut inside but saw his effort blocked. His second somewhat fortunate but he will not care one bit, and deserved some credit for the pass to Saka in the build-up too which should have been converted. 9.

Bukayo Saka

Delivered the driving run and cross for the opening goal, and should have made it 2-1 for the Gunners when set up by Hincapie. He was involved in Arsenal’s third too, his shot rebounding out to Eze. An outstanding performance overall from the newly-renewed Arsenal talisman. 9

Viktor Gyokeres

Registered the opening attempt of the match, a header blocked from troubling the goal by Dragusin. Subsequently had the opportunity to unleash a strike, after cutting in from the left, but sent his effort wide of the target. Early in the second half, he grabbed his goal, picked out centrally, one touch and bang no chance for Vicario. Then, just before the final whistle, he was located by Odegaard to claim his second. 9.

Leandro Trossard

Unleashed an attempt from right to left across the goal that ought to have hit the target and had a comparable opportunity from the opposite side in the second half. It wasn’t the finest display from the Belgian, but he performed adequately. 6.

Subs

Cristian Mosquera

Came on for Jurrien Timber to feature in the unconventional position of right-back and in his maiden away North London Derby performed exceptionally well. 7.

Gabriel Martinelli

Entered to replace Leandro Trossard. Exploited the left channel and assisted in reinforcing the left flank. 6.

Martin Odegaard

Introduced to replace Eberechi Eze. Delivered the pass through at the death to the Swedish striker to net the Gunners’ fourth. 7.

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