Premier League - Rosicky rocket settles derby in Arsenal's favour

Arsenal's Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal (Getty Images)

Premier League, White Hart Lane – Tottenham Hotspur 0 Arsenal 1 (Rosicky 2)

A second-minute rocket from Tomas Rosicky was enough for an otherwise unconvincing Arsenal to beat Tottenham 1-0 in the north London derby at White Hart Lane.

Tim Sherwood had plenty riding on his team’s performance having publicly castigated his players and they contrived to concede after only 70 seconds, Rosicky sending a sensational drive into the far corner from the edge of the box after the ball bounced nicely off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and into his path.

Tottenham’s early vulnerability – exposed once again when Oxlade-Chamberlain raced clear from Nabil Bentaleb at the half-way line, only to dink a miserable effort well wide of the goal when Hugo Lloris came off his line – even provoked Sherwood to rip his gilet from his torso and cast it to the floor in disgust.

Arsenal almost self-destructed at the start of the second half when Wojciech Szczesny made two handling errors, only for Nacer Chadli to fail to convert on either occasion, the second criminally so as he had a near open goal to aim at before seeing his shot blocked.

Sherwood’s frustration would not abate as Arsenal vastly underperformed yet clung on for a vital win which puts them joint second with Liverpool, four points shy of leaders Chelsea having played a game less. Tottenham remain in fifth and are seven points adrift of a Champions League place.

TALKING POINT

Do Arsenal have enough left in them to win the title race? Despite their victory, this was a tired performance from an Arsenal side who created little in the final third and looked short of inspiration. While Liverpool continue to thrill, Arsenal, level on points, look rather more lethargic. Will their exploits on multiple fronts prove detrimental? The FA Cup is a more likely source of silverware.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Per Mertesacker (Arsenal): Rosicky produced the moment of the match but no one was as vital to Arsenal as their popular centre-back, who made clearance after clearance to help keep Spurs at bay.

PLAYER RATINGS

Tottenham: Lloris 6, Naughton 5, Kaboul 6, Vertonghen 5, Rose 5, Sandro 6, Townsend 7, Bentaleb 5, Eriksen 6, Chadli 5, Adebayor 5. Subs: Paulinho 6, Sigurdsson 6, Soldado N/A.

Arsenal: Szczesny 5, Sagna 6, Koscielny 8, Mertesacker 8, Gibbs 7, Arteta 6, Rosicky 7, Oxlade-Chamberlain 7, Podolski 5, Cazorla 5, Giroud 5. Subs: Monreal 6, Vermaelen N/A, Flamini 6.