Tottenham
Guglielmo Vicario: 6/10 Helpless for all of Arsenal’s goals and could justifiably lament the lack of protection from his defence. Superb second-half save from Saka kept things respectable.
Pedro Porro: 7 Gave little away defensively against Trossard or, later on, Martinelli. Bombed forward as Spurs chased the game but crossing left plenty to be desired.
Cristian Romero: 8 At times he seemed on a one-man mission to win the derby. Punished Raya’s sloppiness and should have scored two more in rumbustious display.
Micky van de Ven: 7 Thought he had lit the blue touchpaper with smartly taken equaliser only for VAR to intervene. Insult added to injury when Havertz beat him in the air to score.
Ben Davies: 5 Had no answer to Saka when Arsenal’s wide man turned on the afterburners and was turned inside out for second goal. Did, at least, win late spot-kick.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 6 Tried to get a grip on midfield but increasingly played second fiddle to Rice and Partey. Substituted at the interval, Sarr taking his place.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg: 5 Recall suggested Postecoglou sought a grittier edge but his early own goal offset any benefit. Reacted commendably but never took control and was later replaced.
Dejan Kulusevski: 7 Always a threat with his ball carrying even if he sometimes lacked poise at key moments. Kept on coming but could not fashion chance to equalise.
James Maddison: 6 Never stopped scheming but rarely allowed to occupy the pockets in which he causes havoc. Had one early sight of goal but spooned well over.
Timo Werner: 6 Tried to make inroads down the left in a lively start but injury curtailed his afternoon just after the half-hour and he was replaced by Johnson.
Son Heung-min: 6 Bearings went awry when given the chance to hand Spurs a lifeline before half-time. Produced from the spot but too late to spark historic turnaround.
Subs Johnson (for Werner, 31) 7, Sarr (for Bentancur, ht) 7, Bissouma (for Højbjerg, 64) 6, Richarlison (for Maddison, 64), Lo Celso (for Davies, 88).
Arsenal
David Raya: 6 An extraordinary error infused the second half with life when Arsenal looked home and dry. Recovered his composure to handle soundly during subsequent barrage of Spurs pressure.
Ben White: 7 Dealt well with tricky opponents in Werner, Johnson and latterly Son. Supported Saka when needed but Arsenal’s early cushion limited his need to bomb on.
William Saliba: 7 Usual blend of strength, speed and composure ensured Spurs made little headway through the middle. Held firm in chaotic late spell as hosts threw the kitchen sink.
Gabriel Magalhães: 7 Repelled stream of Spurs crosses throughout the game and, alongside Saliba, refused to waver in dying moments. Enjoyed tussle with fresh, fiery threat of sub Richarlison.
Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7 Pressured Højbjerg into crucial own goal and could have added one of his own later. Had hands full with Spurs’ wide men but defended well one-on-one.
Martin Ødegaard: 7 Not the captain’s cleanest performance, but his tempo and energy are so important to Arsenal. Seemed to have driven them to comfortable win before second-half drama.
Thomas Partey: 6 Passing range from deep was effective at times, as was his solidity at the base of a fiercely contested midfield. Sometimes wayward in possession; overall a mixed display.
Declan Rice: 7 Elegant, controlled performance in the engine room and a superbly delivered set-piece assist for Havertz, although wild kick on Davies ensured a nailbiting finale.
Bukayo Saka: 7 Turned up for the big occasion in style, teasing the opener with his corner and giving Arsenal breathing space with trademark twist inside and finish.
Kai Havertz: 8 (man of the match) Raking diagonal ball sent Saka away for Arsenal’s second, before he punished lax marking to effectively clinch the game. Fine performance technically and physically.
Leandro Trossard: 6 Quietest of Arsenal’s front line, making little attacking impact. Showed a few neat touches to escape from tight spots in visitors’ half and pulled his weight defensively.
Subs Martinelli (for Trossard, 63) 6, Kiwior (for Ødegaard, 89) 6.
