New season, same scoreline, tantalising prospects. Just over a year ago Arsenal blew Tottenham away here and, while the outcome was in doubt for slightly longer this time, they were no less worth the margin of victory in doing it all again. They remain top, and entirely worthy of that position; goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka saw to that, making light of an equaliser from the spot by Harry Kane that briefly threatened an almighty ding-dong. Emerson Royal’s dismissal shortly before Xhaka’s expertly taken goal ensured Tottenham had no way back but they had been inferior for long periods with a full complement.
If one of Spurs’ initial aims had been to avoid the kind of first-half capitulation that sent them packing in September 2021, they would have reached the interval contentedly. Kane’s penalty, dispatched down the middle as Aaron Ramsdale dived right, came at a time when a repeat of last season’s three-goal deficit did not look inconceivable. Arsenal had roared out of the blocks, just as they did back then, moving the ball with a purpose Tottenham could not match and looking fine value for their 20th-minute lead.
