Saturday’s North London derby was a frustrating one for most Fantasy Premier League managers invested in it.
Neither of Spurs’ attacking options played particularly well while it was a similar story for Arsenal’s most popular asset too.
With Blanks looming for both clubs in Gameweek 31, it was a match that moved Spurs and Arsenal options closer to the exit door for most managers.
Spurs 1-1 Arsenal
Goals: Harry Kane (£12.4m) | Aaron Ramsey (£7.1m)
Assists: Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m)
Harry Kane (£12.4m) and Son Heung-min (£8.9m) demonstrated for the second match in a row that they have some work to do before we can seriously consider them in our Fantasy teams. Spurs’ strike-pairing combined for just two shots on goal in the north London derby, one of which was Kane’s second-half penalty kick.
It was the England international who’s performance was the more frustrating for Fantasy owners. There were several moments in the match where he could have put Son through on goal but opted to hold possession and take on his man. Had Kane made those passes, the South Korean could have had more opportunities against Arsenal, and might even have registered attacking returns.
Of some slight encouragement for Son owners was the fact that he registered more touches in the penalty box than any other player at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. That might give him a stay of execution for those who have kept faith with him considering that Spurs travel to Southampton in Gameweek 30.
Christian Eriksen‘s (£9.3m) slump continues as he had yet another match in which he did not create a single chance. The Danish international did not play a single key pass against Chelsea midweek and could not manage one at Wembley either. As we have mentioned before, what he can offer from open play seems limited with Dele Alli (£8.8m) out of the side. Kieran Trippier (£6.1m) assumed responsibility for the corners, Eriksen not taking a single one against Arsenal, further reducing his appeal from set-pieces too.
He might have found himself in the points were it not for some Bernd Leno (£4.8m). Eriksen’s point-blank shot after a Kane cross was well-stopped by the German goalkeeper before he put in an even better one to deny Moussa Sissoko (£4.9m). Despite being still on the ground following the first save, Leno still got up high enough to deflect the ball over the bar.
Mauricio Pochettino went for a back-three initially, with Jan Vertonghen (£5.9m) making an immediate return from injury to operate alongside Toby Alderweireld (£6.0m) and Davinson Sánchez (£5.8m). However, in the second half, as Spurs were chasing the game, Pochettino switched to a back-four, with Vertonghen at left-back. That allowed him to push Danny Rose (£5.8m) into attacking midfield.
“The circumstance, they have to find different solution to play and we wanted to play with back four, with Jan going forward but we need someone in midfield to help Moussa Sissoko and Danny was the only player out there, I think he was younger he played there for Leeds, and after nearly five years we know him very well. He has the technical quality to play like a midfielder, for different circumstance after Wanyama was out to have more consistency in the middle and when he started to play there it was good. He lost some balls because he was in a hurry to play and repeat in that area, it is different when you play on the side. Technically he is so good.” – Mauricio Pochettino
The fact that Spurs scored just once will possibly feel like something of a missed opportunity given the starting line-up named by Unai Emery. He went for a back-four composed entirely of players more traditionally used at centre-back. Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£5.1m) and Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) were used in the middle with Nacho Monreal (£5.4m) and Shkodran Mustafi (£5.4m) at left and right-back respectively, while Sead Kolasinac (£5.1m) remained an unused substitute. The latter had actually been used on the flanks of defence when he was at Valencia with Emery, but Mustafi still looked awkward. His yellow card came after he lost possession to Rose and then got beaten by his pace. It was also Mustafi who gave away the penalty in the second half. It was surprising that Spurs did not attack his flank more often, choosing instead to focus down Monreal’s side of the pitch.
Also thankfully for Emery, there was a hugely impressive performance from Sokratis who marshalled Spurs’ attacking players well. The fact that Kane had so many issues in the penalty box was down to Sokratis’ pressure. Furthermore, the Greek international was able to keep pace even with Son at several points during the afternoon.
“His progress is very important. Today he played well, but the last matches he has come with confidence in himself to use his skills and capacity to help us. He also has experience to continue improving his process with us, like today.” – Unai Emery
It wasn’t just in defence that Emery made questionable team selection decisions against Spurs. Key midfield men Lucas Torreira (£4.8m) and Mesut Özil (£7.9m) were named on the bench although they both made second-half appearances. The Uruguayan’s afternoon was the worse of the two as he was given a straight red card following a high challenge on Rose. Torreira will now miss the next three matches, which will not see him return to FPL action until Gameweek 34, when the Gunners travel to Watford on April 15.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) was among the substitutes too. It proved to be a disastrous afternoon for his 21.8% ownership as he did eventually take to the field, only to have a penalty saved by Hugo Lloris (£5.5m). Interestingly, Aubameyang actually added more goal threat to the game than any player had up until that point. Despite playing just 34 minutes he had the second highest number of touches inside the penalty box and was the best player for shots in that area of the pitch too. However, his afternoon will be remembered for his -1 point score, ahead of a clash with Manchester United and then a Blank Gameweek.
“I spoke with him (about the penalty miss). He had 35 minutes to help us for the victory. He did this action and got the penalty. After, you can score or not. It’s not a mistake, it’s one action. The same with Laca. He had good chances, but no problem. Today we create some good chances but today it’s not enough.” – Unai Emery
The penalty save was ample redemption for Lloris after his part in a calamitous Trippier own-goal against Chelsea.
“Yeah but not only bad night Wednesday the whole team, not only Hugo. As you say, you put the finger on Hugo as responsible for the defeat, was not him, I cannot blame him. Hugo is one of the best in the world, he does not need to show that he cannot prove nothing but the finger always points at the big players, like Hugo or if Harry misses big chances. We don’t win like in the last two games ‘Harry is the problem’ or I don’t know. They are so big players.” – Mauricio Pochettino
Arsenal’s goal largely came against the run of play after Spurs dominated possession at Wembley. A dangerously high defensive line allowed Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) to put Aaron Ramsey (£7.1m) through on goal from 40 yards out. All he had to do was dribble towards Lloris’ net, go round him and slot home. That was the Welshman’s fourth Premier League strike of the campaign, as he continues to only score in London derbies this season.
Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-1-2): Lloris; Vertonghen, Sánchez, Alderweireld; Rose, Sissoko, Wanyama (Lamela 58′), Trippier; Eriksen; Son (Llorente 79′), Kane.
Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Monreal, Koscielny, Sokratis, Mustafi; Xhaka, Guendouzi (Torreira 45′); Iwobi, Ramsey (Özil 71′), Mkhitaryan; Lacazette (Aubameyang 55′).
