PLAYER RATINGS: Bukayo Saka caused Destiny Udogie all sorts of trouble

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PLAYER RATINGS: Bukayo Saka caused Destiny Udogie all sorts of trouble in the north London derby while James Maddison and Son Heung-min impressed again

  • Rivals Arsenal and Tottenham drew 2-2 in the north London derby on Saturday
  • Saka and Son were on the score sheet while Maddison picked up two assists 
  • Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

It was honours even in the latest edition of the north London derby on Sunday as Arsenal and Tottenham shook hands on a 2-2 draw.

After a Cristian Romero own goal put Arsenal into the lead, Son Heung-min levelled things up following good work from James Maddison to silence the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka’s penalty put the Gunners back ahead but moments later James Maddison robbed Jorginho of the ball in his own half, again teeing up Son to score his second and level things up once again.

It’s not an awful result for either side, with both outfits riding the crest of a wave following positive starts to the new season.

Mail Sport’s Isaan Khan is on hand to rate the players from Sunday’s match. 

Son Heung-min (left) and James Maddison (right) linked up twice for Tottenham to score against Arsenal

Bukayo Saka also netted for Arsenal as the England winner impressed for Mikel Arteta’s side

Managers Ange Postecoglou (left) and Arteta (right) both set their sides up for victory in an entertaining derby

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ARSENAL (4-3-3) 

David Raya – 6: Fast distribution with his feet, and a super save to deny Brennan Johnson after 38 minutes. But will be disappointed at flapping at Pape Matar Sarr’s  cross, which resulted in Spurs’ first goal.

Ben White – 5.5: Largely absent in much of the game. Though his well dug-out shot from a corner-kick struck Cristian Romero’s arm, resulting in VAR awarding a penalty.

William Saliba – 6: On song at the back. Used pace to thwart two Spurs attacks in the first half, particularly one from Heung Min-son, which could have been costly.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 6: Paired well with Saliba. Made a number of interceptions when his team were under the cosh.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5.5: A good conduit in breaking play forward. Though often found in the opposition half, leaving his backline under mounting pressure.

Fabio Vieira – 5.5: Had a good aerial cross snuffed out but was often nullified by Spurs’ physical presence. Hooked at half-time.

Declan Rice – 6.5: Looked assured in middle of the park. His substitution at half-time, due to discomfort in his back, definitely had an impact.

Declan Rice went off injured with a back issue for Arsenal in a big blow for the Gunners at half time in the match

Home skipper Martin Odegaard put in an enthusiastic showing in his first game since putting pen to paper on a new contract

Martin Odegaard – 7: An enthused display, following the signing of his five-year contract. Played in an advanced role, always the first to press the opposition keeper and backline. His pass played Saka through, resulting in the first goal.

Bukayo Saka – 8: The superlatives continue. His curling shot was deflected in by Cristian Romero, and then stayed calm to score penalty. Gave right back Destiny Odogie nightmares that’ll stay with him, too.

Gabriel Jesus – 6.5: Had a goal-ward shot saved after 14 minutes, but should have scored on 32 minutes when he intercepted James Maddison and just had the keeper to beat. Lively throughout.

Eddie Nketiah – 5.5: As ever, ran around with intent and did not shirk on tackles or interceptions. Had a great chance to score after 17 minutes, striking the keeper’s leg. Will have wanted more of an impact, though.

Substitutes 

Kai Havertz – 5.5: Struggled to connect play to the forwards. Had a great chance near the end of regulation time, smashing it over the bar.

Jorginho – 5: Entered at half-time for the injured Rice and was dispossessed by Maddison, leading to a goal. A display he will want to forget.

Reiss Nelson – 6.5

Emile Smith Rowe – NA 

Jorginho found it difficult after coming on for Rice and was dispossessed for Tottenham’s second goal

SPURS (4-2-3-1) 

Guglielmo Vicario – 6: Two top saves off Jesus and Nketiah in the first half. Could not do anything about the two goals conceded.

Pedro Porro – 6.5: Particularly shone going forward, his crosses and inside passes a nuisance for the opposition backline.

Cristian Romero – 5.5: Had a part to play in both conceded goals. Though will feel aggrieved as couldn’t do too much about the deflection for the first goal, nor the ball striking his arm resulting in Saka’s penalty kick.

Micky van de Ven – 6: Got stuck in at the back with clever positioning. A real presence, particularly having to contend with Udogie’s struggles on the right flank.

Destiny Udogie – 5: Had a tough time of it against Saka, having been run ragged across both halves. Poor back-pass to Nketiah very nearly led to conceding a goal.

Detiny Udogie (left) and Cristian Romero (right) struggled, with Romero scoring an own goal and giving away a penalty

Pape Matar Sarr – 5.5: Missed a good chance after 19 minutes and was often harried on the ball.

Yves Bissouma – 5.5: A queit game. Found tracking back to own box, particularly in the first half.

Dejan Kulusevski – 7: Telepathic understanding with Son. Made a great pass through to the South Korean on 69 minutes, and soon after tracked back to make a vital interception. Also made Zinchenko’s forays forward an issue for Arsenal.

James Maddison – 8: Arsenal struggled with this man all game. Nearly gave the Gunners their first goal, when tackled by Jesus. But after that, set-up both of Son’s goals — including robbing Jorginho of possession. Real resilience.

Spurs will hope Maddison’s potential injury isn’t serious, whilst Son shone playing through the middle again

Son Heung-min – 8.5: Had an under the radar game until 40 minutes — and then came to life. Both finishes oozed composure. Whenever he had the ball, panic within the opposition could be sensed. Star performance.

Brennan Johnson – 6: Lively up top. Should’ve scored after 38 minutes with much of the goal to aim at on the swivel turn.

Substitutes

Manor Solomon – 5.5: A quiet game in the frontline.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6

Richarlison – 6

Brennan Johnson made his first start for Tottenham and looked comfortable on the left before going off to injury

Managers

Mikel Arteta – 6: Realised Vieira needed changing but bringing on Havertz did not affect the game in the way he would have liked. Made more difficult with needing to take off Rice due to injury concern.

Ange Postecoglou – 6: His team weathered the early storm to get back in the match. Slightly strange to take off Son in the final 15 minutes.

Referee: Robert Jones – 7: Handled this occasion well. Could have easily spiralled out of control, but he showed authority in all his decisions.


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