Arsenal suffer defeat in North London derby

If there was one game Arsenal HAD to win, it was this one. It was a game which would've given us the chance to gloat to our rivals, but most importantly, it would have taken us to within 1 point of Tottenham in the race for Champions League football next season. All this meant that it would be typical of the Gunners to go and lose the match, and indeed that is what they did. Awful defending led to Arsenal's downfall as they slid to a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in which Bale and Lennon scored quite simple goals. Per Mertesacker gave Arsenal fans hope in the second half with an unlikely goal but that was it in terms of goals. Arsene Wenger made one change to the side that had beaten Villa a week ago as Ramsey replaced Diaby in midfield. Carl Jenkinson kept his place at right back due to Sagna's injury whilst Podolski was once again on the bench.

Mertesacker's goal wasn't enough as Arsenal lost to Spurs.

The first chance of the game came on six minutes as Wilshere's corner was met by Giroud but it was straight at Lloris.

Giroud then got another chance as Cazorla played a brilliant ball over the top into him but Vertonghen came across to deny the Frenchman getting a clear strike on the ball.

Arsenal were dominating the early exchanges and Carl Jenkinson was getting plenty of space on the right to get forward and pick out crosses. However, none of them were met with any conviction.

It was Tottenham who took the lead though. The Arsenal defence insisted on playing a high line which meant the ball was able to be slipped through into Bale. He then had plenty of time and space to bury a first time shot beyond Szczesny and into the corner of the net.

Two minutes later, Spurs scored again. The Gunners didn't learn their lesson from the first time as Parker was able to slip the ball through to Lennon, who rounded Szczesny and found the net.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Spurs.

Five minutes after the break, Arsenal were back in it. Theo Walcott delivered in a free-kick which found the head of Mertesacker, and then found the goal via a deflection.

The Gunners were now pushing for an equaliser and they almost got it via another defender as Nacho Monreal unleashed a shot from distance but it went wide.

It was all Arsenal at the start of the second half and their next chance came through Jenkinson again. He almost picked out Ramsey but Lloris manged to come out and claim the ball.

Spurs then finally managed to create their first chance of the half as Assou-Ekotto found Bale at the back post but he skied his shot from six yards out.

Defoe almost came close to extending Spurs' lead shortly after as Parker found him on the edge of the area but he curled the ball just wide.

Spurs, as they did in the first half, were now starting to create opportunities again. Bale got their next chance as he vollied the ball from outside the box but it was straight at Szczesny.

With ten minutes left to play Arsenal had a great chance to equalise. Rosicky found Ramsey who went in on goal but dragged his shot wide of the target.

Theo Walcott hadn't really had a good enough chance to have an influence on proceedings but he almost scored at the death as his curling free-kick flew wide from distance.

The final score finished Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Dembele(88), Parker, Sigurdsson, Lennon(90), Bale, Adebayor(66).
Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Gallas(90), Livermore(88), Carroll, Holtby, Defoe(66).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson(60), Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Ramsey, Arteta(77), Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud. 
Subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Coquelin, Rosicky(60), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski(77).

My man of the match: Carl Jenkinson

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 36,170