Wenger’s leaderless Arsenal fail to put up a fight

BEING sworn at by a member of the opposition coaching staff, called almost every name under the sun by over 30,000 people and a crushing defeat in the north London derby; it would be fair to say Arsene Wenger has had better Sundays.

And this was a defeat to his side’s most bitter rivals that demonstrated Arsenal’s inadequacies in an almost eloquent fashion. All the ingredients were there: a porous defence, a lack of bite in midfield and virtually no incision in the final third.

Combined, they spelt defeat. Yet Tottenham were not much better. Outplayed for spells, they have developed a knack that successful teams have, of winning when not playing well, as their greater experience shone through against their visitors.

And, gloriously if you are of a Tottenham persuasion, the final, decisive blow came from a long-distance thunderbolt delivered by a young full-back.

Not Danny Rose this time, as it was in April 2010, but rather Kyle Walker, whose first goal for Tottenham was a sweetly struck, swerving effort from some 25 yards. Wojciech Szczesny should have saved it but the Pole had already kept his side in the game.

Yet as Walker wheeled away in celebration, Wenger was left to wonder where the torture will end. His side had shown character to respond after Rafael van der Vaart’s controversial opener, with Aaron Ramsey equalising shortly after half time.

But the visitors failed to take their chances, and although this defeat was not as calamitous as the 8-2 at Old Trafford, it will hurt all the more. Indeed, the only consolation was that it was not Emmanuel Adebayor, formerly one of Wenger’s star pupils, who delivered the decisive blow.

Tottenham can now legitimately claim to be the top dogs in north London. They are five points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand, but it is in the leaders they possess — Ledley King, Scott Parker, Luka Modric, even Adebayor — that their current superiority is so stark. Arsenal, with the exception of Robin van Persie and the perennially injured Thomas Vermaelen, do not have the same calibre of men.

Where, in the last 10 minutes as they chased the game, was the direction from Arsenal? Who were the figures who were going to take control of the situation? The truth is that there weren’t any as the likes of Ramsey and Mikel Arteta appeared diminished in stature and influence.

It is perhaps too early to discount them from the race for fourth, but it is looking increasingly as if it will be a fight primarily between Tottenham and Liverpool for that final Champions League spot, assuming that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all out of reach at the top.

That, of course, will be music to Tottenham supporters’ ears. They have had enough of playing second fiddle to their neighbours. Now, perhaps, those dark days are over.

There is a solidity about this Tottenham team, one that has recovered from painful defeats of their own to United and City.

Parker has transformed their midfield, while King ensured solidity at the back and Adebayor a rapier thrust up front.

Indeed, it was the Togolese — who, like Wenger, had to endure horrific chants throughout — who created the first goal, his perfect through-ball being controlled by Van der Vaart, perhaps with the use of an arm, to bury in the far corner for his fourth goal in three north London derbies. Arsenal were furious with referee Mike Dean, and they had a point. Their worries were forgotten when parity was restored five minutes after half time though, as Ramsey — who had a poor game — swept home Alex Song’s cross.

The visitors were dominant, the Lane was rocking. Arsenal could not convert their superiority though, and were indebted to Szczesny for pulling off fine saves from both Adebayor and Jermain Defoe. Yet, as is the goalkeeper’s lot, he was at fault for the winner, failing to get a strong enough hand on Walker’s drive.

Arsenal came again, yet could not create a chance of note in the final 20 minutes. Then, to compound Wenger’s misery, he was involved in an altercation with Clive Allen, a member of Tottenham’s coaching staff. It was ugly as Allen appeared to swear at the Frenchman, who beckoned him to sort things out in the tunnel.

The offer was declined. On a day to forget for Wenger, even that did not go as he had planned.

Key moment

The first goal of this contest was always going to be crucial. It went to Tottenham, but Arsenal should have scored it. Gervinho was Arsene Wenger’s principal signing this summer, and he let his side down badly here. Robin Van Persie had done superbly to reach the byline, and his cutback was simply begging to be put away. Yet the Ivorian contrived to shoot wide. Arsenal were made to pay.

Terrace talk

Unfortunately the terrace chants will take a number of the headlines after this derby, with both sets of fans letting themselves down with disgusting chants about Arsene Wenger and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Man of the match

With Harry Redknapp’s attacking line-up Scott Parker was being asked to fulfill the role of two, or perhaps three players in the centre of midfield. The former West Ham star was hugely effective though, with the simplicity of his game proving a hugely useful asset.

Man in Black

Mike Dean. Open to criticism with the events that surrounded Rafael van der Vaart’s goal. First of all there was whether Van der Vaart handled the ball before scoring. And secondly, the Dutchman ran into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. That is a bookable offence, and as he had already been yellow carded a red should have followed. Dean did nothing.

Notes

How can the football authorities stamp out the disgraceful chanting that was almost constant during this match?

What’s next?

Both teams face sides from the north-east when the Premier League returns. Tottenham face a tough trip to Newcastle. Arsenal, for their part, host Sunderland.

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Julian Bennetts