Unai Emery says Arsenal achieved a ‘very big victory’ against Spurs as his side bounced back from 2-1 down at half time to secure a well-deserved 4-2 win.
The Gunners took the lead inside 10 minutes courtesy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty and were well in control when the visitors snatched two goals in four minutes before the break.
The introduction of Aaron Ramsey and Alex Lacazette sparked a revival with the former setting up Aubameyang’s equaliser before the latter squeezed home from the edge of the area to restore the home side’s advantage.
Lucas Torreira’s first goal for Arsenal sealed the three points with 13 minutes remaining before Jan Vertonghen was given his marching orders for a second yellow card.
At the end of a near perfect day for his team, Emery was bursting with pride but also turning his attention to a trip to Old Trafford in midweek.
“This is a very big victory, we showed our supporters and we give them this victory because it’s a very special match against Tottenham,” he told his post-game press conference.
“For us it’s the same – special, but above all it’s three points, like last week against Bournemouth, and like Wednesday in Manchester. Now we are happy, we are enjoying it, but short. Why? Because Tottenham lost today but they are on the same points as us in the table.
“We also need to continue in our way, in our process, and for our confidence it was a very big match. But don’t forget that they beat Chelsea last week in a very big match and today they are close with us. Wednesday is a good example for us, we need to think about Manchester on Wednesday.”
Emery also seemed to hint that he always had it in mind to introduce Lacazette and Ramsey knowing full well their ability to influence big games.
“Before I started the match I prepared in my mind different situations in the match,” he explained. “One was this. Why? Because Lacazette has very big efficiency in scoring against every team and because Aaron has experience against Tottenham and in derby matches.
“He has experience of coming back against big teams.”
I have no idea how his time at Arsenal is going to go, but I think we have seen enough from Emery now to say with some confidence that he deserves a lot of support in every sense right now, both financially in the transfer markets, and in total backing from the fans, to see how far he can take us.
You can see a lot of what he’s putting into place bearing fruit already, and my god, does this feel like an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan. It seems like we are truly turning a corner.
If Emery gets us into the CL next season? Then he will have exceeded my expectations.
He’s a brave and decisive manager who knows exactly what he wants, and exactly what he doesn’t want, would be great if he took us to Old Trafford on Wed and hammered the final nail in Mourinho’s PL career.
I loved Graham, Wenger and now Emery. Arsenal have the best managers.
Emery has a bit of George Graham in him, that’s for sure! Did anyone else notice Liechtensteiner started the melee? 🙂
I noticed… touched the Spurs guy first
Great performance, made my day. Now let’s go stuff that moaning cockwomble and his team on Wed night and get that hoodoo out the way once and for all.
Apart from the vast experience and tacitical acumen there is also something about this man. He really has the personality I think to do something great here.
Ozil needs to get on board, stop pouting and become part if this revolution but that’s what this is. Feels fucking great.
How the hell is he pouting?? He’s clearly celebrating the team’s victory from where he is by posting on social media and all. How else could he show enthusiasm?
Bragging rights. Nice Christmas present given to us fans!
We better not lose on the 19th then!
Not a huge Kolasinac fan but he genuinely gave everything today. Ran his heart out, tackled and harassed – I thought he set the standard today and everyone followed. Credit where it’s due!
He really excels in physical games, and who’s surprised? Look at him. Absolute tank today.
SK was BOSS today!
Aaron Ramsey is Arsenal through and through. Wish we were keeping him.
I´m not his biggest fan, but massive respect to him how professional he is about his situation.
I feel proud to be a gooner again! SO he has given pride back to the fans.
May this game start a new phase in the Pochettino- Emery relationship. As in, ” sorry Poch, but I guess we win again.”
Saying this about Ramsey, that he knows how to come back against big teams, and we are letting him go? Isn’t that a pricey unique asset? I may understand in future, but not yet.
The way Lacazette took his goal, especially the last couple of touches, was eerily similar to that iconic Henry goal.
Precisely, if Lacazette dribbled the call from our half and wasn’t losing balance and didn’t get that deflection! All jokes aside, that goal was sweet, sweet sweet deflection
“For us it’s the same – special, but above all it’s three points, like last week against Bournemouth, and like Wednesday in Manchester.
Love this!!!
“like Wednesday in Manchester”. Yes; yes, indeed!
Hey we beat a top four team… oh, wait, spuds are 5th ??
This victory feels like the day before christmas. I was literally listening to Earl Sweatshirt’s December 24 while the Scum were being unraveled. Auba is accurate, The Lac is efficient, Torreira is god; new Arsenal legends coming through.
Wasn’t happy with the team selection, show what i know!! GOYG!!!!!
There was a nice tribute video done for Emery on his success during his Sevilla time…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ks6Us5PphU&index=9&list=LLKUz2mjT8djU50hiWrZDZRQ&t=0s
And i hope Arsenal Gunners and fans can also have these kinds of Successful moments in every competitions with Emery at Arsenal…
When you see the unbalanced squad he inherited & the ferocious pace being set in the league by Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea & even the Totts….that Emery has us in the top 4 is a HUGE credit to him. That’s the stats….but today we about more than stats. Heart, passion, massive mental strength, a real togetherness……no wonder the place was rocking. I haven’t felt this optimistic about Arsenal for many years. Well played sir.
Gazidis brought in the right chap. Brilliant from the gaffer. Did not panic. Managed the players, calmed them down before the break and regrouped. BOLD enough to switch to a 3-4-1-2 taking off Mhki and Iwobi (who were playing well) for Laca and Ramsey. THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTES. Its all about tactical adjustments and maxing out every inch of advantage with the players on hand. And it reaped dividends. In fact I was surprised he went for back 3 with Holding involved in the mid week game in Ukraine. There was a bit of subtefuge there from the Canny Spaniard.… Read more »