Arsenal clinch win in North London Derby

Arsenal came from behind to beat rivals Tottenham in thrilling fashion as the Gunners won by the same scoreline in the same fixture at the Emirates last season. Goals from Mertesacker, Podolski, Giroud, Cazorla and Walcott sealed a 5-2 victory on Saturday afternoon. However that wasn't before former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor had opened the scoring and then got himself sent off for a high challenge on Cazorla. It was a great encounter, as matches between the two sides always are but this had an extra incentive as both sides looked to really kick start their seasons. Arsenal were devastating in attack as Podolski and Giroud scored once more as they look to be finally finding their form. The Gunners welcomed Wojciech Szczesny back from injury as he started in goal whilst Jack Wilshere returned from suspension.

Santi Cazorla was on fine form as Arsenal thrashed rivals Spurs

The first chance of the match came from a Tottenham free-kick as the ball was delivered in from Bale but the ball come out to Huddlestone. He drove a shot in which found it's way to Gallas and he put the ball in the back of the net but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Just 10 minutes into the game and Spurs were ahead. Vertonghen played the ball over the top into Defoe whose shot was saved by Szczesny. However the ball fell straight into the path of Adebayor who tapped the ball home.

Moments later Tottenham almost made it 2-0. Lennon received the ball just inside the penalty area and hit a shot which curled inches wide of the post.

Adebayor was then to go from hero to zero as he was shown the red card for a high tackle on Santi Cazorla.

Arsenal then began to find plenty of space and they made that count as they equalised. Walcott got to the byline and crossed the ball into the box and into Mertesacker who headed home for his first ever Arsenal goal.

The Gunners were now starting to find their feet in the game and almost made it 2-1. Wilshere's free-kick found Giroud but his header was tipped over by Lloris.

Santi Cazorla then drove a fierce effort towards goal from outside the area which swerved before going just over the bar.

With 4 minutes to go until the break the Gunners took the lead. The ball bobbled around just outside the area before falling to Podolski who hit a shot which deflected off former Arsenal player William Gallas and rolled into the net.

Arsenal then found themselves another goal after brilliant work from both referee and Santi Cazorla. Cazorla was tripped but then got back up allowing an advantage to be played by Howard Webb. The Spaniard got into the area before finding Giroud who fired the ball past his French compatriot Hugo Lloris to extend the lead.

The score at half time was 3-1 to Arsenal.

Right on the hour mark Santi Cazorla made it 4-1. Walcott played in Podolski down the left who then picked out Cazorla at the back post who slid the ball home for his first goal at the Emirates.

10 minutes later Spurs responded as Mertesacker allowed Bale to keep running towards the area. As a result Bale managed to get a shot off from 20 yards out which went past Szczesny and found the net.

Arsenal then almost made it 5 goals as Santos played in Vermaelen but he poked the ball wide under pressure from the on coming goalkeeper.

Into injury time and the Gunners did indeed find themselves a fifth. Oxlade-Chamberlain intercepted possession and got past his man before racing towards the area and picking out Walcott who finished his chance.

The final score finished Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham

The team lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Wilshere(72), Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski(80), Giroud(86).
Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Santos(80), Coquelin, Ramsey(72), Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain(86).

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker(45), Gallas, Vertonghen, Naughton(45), Huddlestone(72), Sandro, Lennon, Bale, Defoe, Adebayor.
Subs: Friedel, Dawson(45), Livermore, Townsend, Dempsey(45), Sigurdsson, Carroll(72).

My man of the match: Santi Cazorla

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 60,111