Arsenal had a number of top performers against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and Emile Smith Rowe was certainly one of them.
The Gunners fell behind against their bitter rivals in the first half of Sunday’s North London derby, with Erik Lamela conjuring up a stunning rabona goal.
Mikel Arteta’s side hit back though, with Kieran Tierney surging past Matt Doherty before picking out Martin Odegaard for the equaliser.
Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal all three points, firing home from the penalty spot having been brought down by Davinson Sanchez.
Arsenal can claim bragging rights now having lost their last two games against Spurs, and Smith Rowe had a major impact on the game.
The 20-year-old racked up four key passes, two successful dribbles and one interception in a fine display, whilst he also rattled the woodwork with a powerful strike.
Smith Rowe operated on the left flank and certainly justified Arteta’s decision to start him, before receiving major praise from the Spaniard.
Arteta told Football.London that he felt Odegaard was ‘magnificent’, noting that he gives Arsenal ‘something different’ and turned in the big individual performance a derby win needs.
“I think he had a magnificent performance as well again,” said Arteta. “I think he shows not only quality but his personality on the pitch. His energy gave us something different. Today in a derby you need some big individual performances and for sure he had one,” he added.
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