mollyfamwatThe Premier League season has been a fascinating one so far, with the title race looking like it will go down to the wire. With just two weeks left of play, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are facing off in what is likely to be their last game of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal – Football Match Report – August 8, 2021 – Tottenham Hotspur won the match at White Hart Lane by a score of 2-0 and remain in 3rd place in the Premier League table. Read more in detail here: tottenham spurs schedule.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min celebrates his goal against Arsenal. Getty Images/Tottenham Hotspur FC
In a tense friendly on Sunday, Tottenham won 1-0 over north London rivals Arsenal thanks to Son Heung-79th-minute Min’s goal.
Spurs concluded their preseason training with a hard-fought win in front of approximately 25,000 spectators at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, thanks to Son’s left-footed strike after excellent work from replacement Japhet Tanganga.
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Spurs drew 2-2 at Chelsea on Wednesday in the last match of The Mind Series, a tournament involving Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea to promote improved mental health. Chelsea had defeated Arsenal 2-1 at Emirates Stadium previous weekend.
Spurs selected a solid line-up, with Hugo Lloris back in goal and Son leading the attack, despite Harry Kane’s absence as he continues to isolate at the club’s training site hotel after returning for preseason on Saturday.
Despite his absence, Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo stated: “Harry is with us… I will speak with Harry as soon as possible because he is already at [Spurs’ training ground where he is isolating]… Not today, because today was the day of the match, but we have a training session [on Monday] and with social distancing I will hopefully speak with Harry.”
“He didn’t train yet with the group, it is true. He finished the last game with a problem. It is much better now, but we have to be very careful first, not to take any chances,” Nuno said. “Like all the players, [Giovani Dos Santos], didn’t have many sessions, Hugo [Lloris], we have to manage a lot of aspects until we d,” he added.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta partnered Albert Sambi Lokonga, an £18 million summer signing from Anderlecht, with Granit Xhaka in midfield and that pairing gradually gave the visitors a degree of control in the first half after a lively start from Spurs.
After excellent work from Lucas Moura, Son volleyed over from the outside of the box in the sixth minute and could have scored 10 minutes later when side-footing straight at Bernd Leno from five yards out.
However, Alexandre Lacazette started to have an impact on the game, testing Lloris with a 25-yard shot that the Spurs goalkeeper turned away before hitting the post with a similar attempt.
Dele Alli was subsequently cautioned for a late challenge on Nicolas Pepe, a reminder of the competitive undercurrent that ran through the first half, which finished with Arsenal leading but Tottenham having the greatest opportunity.
Arsenal’s Ben White was in action. Getty Images/Tottenham Hotspur FC
Son teed up Alli as he came in the box after a fine sequence of play from the hosts, but he could only hit the post from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Early in the second period, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Arteta exchanged words as the former came dangerously near to colliding with the latter while attempting to maintain the puck in play. As the Spurs midfielder protested he was out of his technical area, Arteta jabbed his finger into his chest, forcing referee David Coote to intervene.
Arsenal’s Kierney and Xhaka were both cautioned for late tackles before Spurs struck the post again just before the hour mark.
Son’s free kick from the right was flicked on by Davinson Sanchez to the far post, where Alli attempted to redirect it goalwards but struck the upright once again.
Spurs supporters applauded Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka onto the field in the 63rd minute for his first appearance since missing a penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final loss to Italy last month.
Spurs continued to seem the more likely to score, and they finally did so when Tanganga fought his way into the box before finding Son, who beat Leno with a strong finish.
Eric Dier’s late free shot hit the crossbar, but Spurs held on to beat Arsenal for the second preseason game in a row.
When asked about Rob Holding and Joe Willock’s absences after the game, Arteta stated, “They were absent for two separate reasons.” Rob wasn’t available because he wasn’t in good enough shape to play today, and we’ll discuss the reasons with Joe as soon as we can. That’s all I have to say right now. I’ll let you know when I have more to say.”
Arsenal kick off their Premier League season against Brentford on Friday night, while Spurs face champions Manchester City on Sunday.
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