The Sun

OH, mate.

Just when things looked like they could not get much worse for Ange Postecoglou, his side go and produce a first 45 like this.

Not just the poorest Spurs half of this nightmare of a campaign, but perhaps in recent memory.

Postecoglou's men scored twice after the break to add some late drama.

But it did not mask over a pathetic opening period which left serious question marks over whether the relatable Aussie can survive in his role - injuries or no injuries, cup runs or no cup runs.

Shot-shy Everton had failed to score in five of their last six league games before Big Ange’s fragile side came to town.

But the Toffees sensed blood and turned from toothless to ruthless, smashing in three goals before half-time.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who could have had a hat-trick, got the ball rolling, before an Iliman Ndiaye stunner and an Archie Gray own goal in stoppage time.

As the Spurs fans self-deprecatingly say whenever their side somehow loses to a team woefully out of form, ‘Dr Tottenham will see you now’.

But the first half was worse than a painful GP appointment and led to the humiliated North Londoners adding a 12th defeat out of their 22 Prem fixtures, having won just one of their last ten.

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Dejan Kulusevski, Spurs’ best player this season by a country mile, barely registered a reaction when his clever chip reduced the deficit after the break.

Everton old-boy Richarlison snuck one in stoppage time but in the end it just put a more flattering look to the scoreline, and did not stop Spurs’ winless run to six Prem games.

The last time they did that came in January 2009, a few months on from the infamous ‘two points from eight games’ start that saw Juande Ramos given the tin tack.

Remember, Ramos remains the last boss to win Spurs a trophy, having clinched the League Cup in February 2008.

That success did not save the Spaniard, nor did reaching the same competition’s final 13 years on for a certain Jose Mourinho.

So Postecoglou will have no illusions that his own feat of making the Carabao Cup semi-final, in which they hold a 1-0 lead over Liverpool going into next month’s second leg, will guarantee his safety.

Injuries have decimated his team - and here they had Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and Yves Bissouma added to the casualty list before kick-off.

But pinning their hopeless form and this particularly bad display purely on crocks will not wash with fed-up fans, and he knows it.

Especially when other teams have their own injury issues, such as Bournemouth who managed to wallop in-form Newcastle with nine players out on Saturday lunchtime.

Postecoglou batted away a question about his side being in a relegation scrap on Friday.

But there is no denying they are showing relegation form with their first-half display a Championship-level offering.

David Moyes, who faced Postecoglou in his first-ever Spurs game as West Ham boss in Perth for a pre-season friendly in July 2023, had taken the ex-Celtic chief’s tag as the Premier League’s oldest manager when re-taking the reins at Everton this month.

And the wily Scot used all his experience to exploit every vulnerability in Postecoglou’s patched-up side to pulverise them in the first 45.

Long balls exposed the visitors’ high line, while the hybrid back three they used - a rare formation tweak from Postecoglou - did not work.

While the inclusion of man mountain Jake O’Brien at right-back helped Moyes’ side tower over Spurs at set-pieces.

It was 3-0 by the break, but it should have been five.

Calvert-Lewin took his first brilliantly, tying Gray in knots with some twinkle-toe touches before slotting the ball in at the near post.

Watching that strike, observers - which included England boss Thomas Tuchel - would never have guessed the forward had not netted in his previous 17 league games.

The way Calvert-Lewin messed up a great opportunity soon after provided more of an insight to his recent struggles, though.

Jarrad Branthwaite’s simple ball over the top left Spurs’ defence all at sea, but Calvert-Lewin’s second touch when trying to control it bounced off his knee.

It allowed a timely intervention from goalie Antonin Kinsky, who also turned an Orel Mangala shot on to the post shortly after.

Just before then, Spurs had a super chance to level but captain Son Heung-min had no conviction in his strike after being teed up by Kulusevski.

Postecoglou had urged his experienced players to step up ahead of his game but the South Korean let him down with his finish here.

Everton scored twice at home in a league game for the first time since February 2022 when Ndiaye took centre-stage.

The ex-Sheffield United man ran almost from his halfway line, ghosted past Radu Dragusin and thumped it high into the net.

Embarrassment was ensured when the unlucky Gray steered in a Calvert-Lewin flick after James Tarkowski’s knock-down with seven minutes of first-half injury-time on the clock.

Spurs did improve after the break, they had to, and managed to net when Kulusevski expertly dinked the ball over four Everton defenders with Jordan Pickford out of his goal.

Richarlison squirmed home a great cross from fellow sub Mikey Moore in injury time.

Yet the abominable first half had already done the damage, with Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy will have noted in the director’s box.

FORMER Spurs star Garry Brooke who won the Uefa Cup and two FA Cups has died aged 64.

The midfielder passed away on Saturday morning following a lengthy battle with illness.

Brooke, who was born in Bethnal Green, East London, joined the club as a ten-year-old in 1971.

Ten years later, he was a substitute in the 100th FA Cup final, coming on for superstar Ricky Villa in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Wembley.

The Englishman watched from the bench five days later as the Argentine World Cup winner produced a memorable piece of individual magic and scored twice to win the replay 3-2.

Despite suffering with a long injury lay-off the next season, Brooke recovered to play in the 1982 FA Cup final and subsequent replay against QPR, both times as a substitute, collecting a second winner’s medal.

A serious car accident in February 1983 left him fighting for his life and he was never the same player again – though he did play a part in the early rounds of Spurs’ 1983/84 UEFA Cup success.

Brooke, a father-of-two, played for a number of other clubs, including Norwich, Dutch side Groningen, Wimbledon, Brentford and Reading before moving into non-league.

After playing professionally, he coached in local schools and also worked as a matchday reporter for the Press Association and OPTA stats gurus at both Spurs and Leyton Orient.

A statement from Tottenham said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Garry Brooke this morning, following a lengthy battle with illness.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this impossibly difficult time."

Norwich City posted: "All at Norwich City are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Garry Brooke after a battle with illness.

"We pass on our sincere condolences to Garry's loved ones at this sad time."

Osvaldo "Ossie" Ardiles, who managed Brooke from 1978 through to 1985, said on social media: "Very very sad news. Gary was a wonderful player and even more a wonderful friend.

"My thoughts and prayers with your family and friends.

"Very honoured to have played football with you and been your friend. Rest in peace dear Brooksy."

TOTTENHAM should sack Ange Postecoglou, claims the club's former chief executive Claude Littner.

The 75-year-old will be most familiar to many football fans as Alan Sugar's right-hand man on The Apprentice.

During Lord Sugar's ownership of Spurs in the 1990s, however, Littner worked as chief executive at White Hart Lane.

He resigned as one of the club's directors in 2001, around the time that Daniel Levy became chairman.

Following Tottenham's 2-1 North London derby defeat to Arsenal earlier this week, a fan wrote on X: "Well @claudelittner can you please have a word with levy and tell him to fire postocoglou."

Littner responded: "I have no influence over Daniel. I believe he has the best interests of Spurs at heart.

"I would dismiss Ange. He is way out of his depth."

Littner then added his opinion on Tottenham's ownership situation.

He continued: "Daniel is no fool & urgently needs a buyer with deep pockets to acquire the Club & invest in top players.

"The sooner, the better."

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Tottenham are languishing in 14th in the Premier League with just 24 points from 21 games.

They have won just one of their last nine Prem matches, and are closer to the relegation zone than the European places.

Postecoglou now has a worse win percentage as Spurs boss than unpopular former managers Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.

But for now at least, it's claimed that Tottenham chiefs are not planning to make a change.

One saving grace for Postecoglou this season has been Spurs' performances in the cups.

Having knocked out both Manchester clubs in previous rounds, Tottenham hold a slender 1-0 semi-final lead over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, ahead of next month's Anfield second leg.

Spurs are ninth in the Europa League league phase and will likely achieve a top eight finish with wins in their remaining two games, against Hoffenheim and Elfsborg.

ARSENAL proved themselves to be Myles better than underperforming Tottenham in the North London derby earlier this week.

Spurs took an early lead at the Emirates through Son Heung-Min but were undone by a Dominic Solanke own goal and Leandro Trossard arrow late in the first half.

Ange Postecoglou's side then had no answers to reverse the score in the second half as Mikel Arteta's side put in a mature, if unremarkable, performance.

Yet it was Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly who proved to be the star of the show as he put in an assured display well beyond his years.

There was also a noteworthy showing from Declan Rice and a new-look pressing system deployed.

There were also the usual suspects of set-piece tweaks, and below our tactics guru Dean Scoggins looked at how Arsenal punctured Ange-ball.

Myles clear

Lewis-Skelly has stepped into Arsenal's backline masterfully despite being just 18 years of age and naturally a midfielder.

And when he came off the pitch after giving it large to the Spurs fans it was reminiscent of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey doing similar in years past.

Arteta made the decision to select him ahead of a more natural option like Oleksandr Zinchenko, and it proved dividends.

Lewis-Skelly was excellent up against Spurs' dangerman Dejan Kulusevski.

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But tactically, the star did not fully invert.

Instead, Lewis-Skelly went halfway with the role, leaving Kulusevski with a conundrum on whether to mark him or not, whereas a fully inverted role would have allowed another player to pick him up.

The teenager's ball-carrying exploits were particularly impressive during the game, going on to carry the ball more than Rice throughout the game.

A number of times he would pick up the ball from Gabriel Magalhaes or the goalkeeper before moving forward into acres of space.

This was helped by a particularly poor display by Yves Bissouma and a Pape Matar Sarr yellow card.

Lewis-Skelly also worked well in tandem with Rice in neutralising any Spurs threat down that side.

It will do his England chances a world of good given how Thomas Tuchel was in the stands.

And it may also see Rico Lewis - who plays a similar role - lose his spot, with the Arsenal star being streets ahead of the Manchester City star.

Rice masterclass

Against Tottenham, Rice proved why he is one of the best midfielders in the world.

The former West Ham seemed to cover every nook and cranny of the Emirates to snuff out Tottenham threat.

He was in his own area making challenges and clearances and helping Lewis-Skelly.

The midfielder then surprised everyone by popping up in the Spurs penalty area in a lung-busting display.

Such was his full-gusto performance that it was like Arsenal played with an extra man - not the referee to be clear.

Early on Spurs did a good job of defending the edge of their area, particularly in the first 15 to 20 minutes.

But it was the presence of Rice which disrupted the flow of the defence, pushing back the Spurs midfield by making runs from deep.

And it also proved effective in throwing the balance out of Spurs' attack.

Arteta punctures Ange-ball

One thing Spurs can take away from the game is that Postecoglou does not have just one way to play.

They would have been disappointed to not go into half-time level, given the corner incident and a goalkeeping error from youngster Antonin Kinsky, since their tactics seemed to work for the most part up to then.

The issue, however, that because it is such a rigid structure teams can plan to play against it - not that it means it can always be stopped.

Arsenal executed one such plan for it to brilliant effect, with the "Wheels of Chaos" we mentioned in our last show rearing their head after the break.

Yet it was the aforementioned Rice and Martin Odegaard who did brilliant jobs in midfield keeping tabs on the inside right and left players respectively.

As we mentioned, not tracking the runner from the wheel would be fatal from a defensive point of view.

But with Odegaard and Rice tracking their men along with Raheem Sterling and Trossard also doing superb defensive work, it meant Spurs often had to rush their attacks.

And the consequence of this was an effective counter-attack propped up by strong performances by Odegaard and Jurrien Timber on one side and Rice and Lewis-Skelly on the other.

New look press

After coming under scrutiny for failing to beat ten-man Manchester United in the FA Cup, Arteta came up with a superb plan to beat Tottenham and claw themselves back into the title race.

Out of possession Arsenal have been known to operate in a 4-4-2 pressing structure.

But for this game, Arteta switched that system to a 4-3-3 press instead, with Trossard tracking Porro into an inverted position.

Sterling, Odegaard and Havertz were then able to go and press as a three-man unit which stopped Spurs playing first-time balls out from the back and nullifying one of their most effective weapons.

Set piece tweaks

Arsenal are known as the king of set pieces for a reason - not that it stopped Gary Neville from slamming Arsenal set piece coach Nicolas Jover again.

They are top of the table for goals scored from set pieces and corners, and whether you want to level criticism for it or not, there is absolutely no denying its impact on getting the Gunners points.

And Jover cooked up something special against Spurs, not that the visitors didn't have some set-piece tricks up their own sleeve.

Spurs knew Arsenal packed both boxes at corners so sent two players out to be the corner takers to help drag some defenders out, while two more stars lurked on the edge of the area.

This was exactly where Son scored from with no one picking him up after Sterling, who had picked him up the corner before, was dragged away by another dummy run.

But at the other end, Gabriel came in like the unstoppable force he is to force a goal over the line.

Spurs left two players upfield in the hopes that Arsenal would commit fewer players forward, but the home side bravely left their players one-on-one, rather than have a spare man as extra cover.

Unfortunately for Spurs, there was also very little chance the goalkeeper would manage to catch any of the crosses due to the crowding around his six-yard area.

Therefore, Jover did not allow Spurs to derail Arsenal's dominance at corners by showing bravery in attacking set pieces.

ARE Tottenham genuinely in a relegation battle?

Most would say no chance, even in spite of the atrocious recent run in the league, but consider this.

In 1977 - the last time Spurs went down, finishing bottom of the old First Division - they lost exactly half of their 42 games.

Tottenham this season have been defeated in 11 of their 21 league fixtures which is a marginally worse ratio.

Their current points-per-game average stands at 1.14, which puts them on course for 43 for the campaign.

In the 2008/09 season under Juande Ramos, the team picked up just 20 points after 21 games.

They were slumped down in 19th place ahead of the manager being axed and replaced with Harry Redknapp.

These are just some of the absolutely damning statistics that Spurs fans have been puzzling and poring over the morning after their latest loss in Wednesday’s North London derby.

And they're why many have been calling for manager Ange Postecoglou’s head, with Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit even urging Daniel Levy to sack the Aussie.

Embattled Postecoglou regularly reiterates the need for context in everything and has, with some justification, pointed to a crippling amount of injuries, particularly at the back.

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But whichever way you square it, there is no dressing up how ugly the league numbers are right now.

For Spurs fans, this will read like a particularly painful maths lesson, but pay attention as this is important.

Since the 4-0 battering of Manchester City on November 23 - the standout result of Postecoglou’s tenure - his side have just one win in nine league fixtures.

Never at this stage of the season have Spurs lost more Premier League games.

Ipswich, who inflicted one of the most painful defeats on Postecoglou’s side just before the City tonking, emphasising their inconsistency, are only above the drop zone on goal difference but have lost one fewer game than Tottenham.

In fact, only Wolves, Leicester and Southampton - the bottom three - have suffered more defeats than Postecoglou’s side this term.

The gap to the dreaded dotted line is eight points, so the unthinkable prospect of dropping down to the Championship does not seem a genuine fear right now.

But what is undoubtedly true is Postecoglou’s side are showing relegation form.

It is just five points taken from the last 27 available. Worse still, it is 30 from the last 84, suggesting a malaise in the league that predates the crock crisis.

Missing Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario and more has left the squad badly short, no doubt.

But injuries are hitting most sides now - Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, ten points above Spurs, have just lost their two centre-forwards - and Postecoglou knows if he uses that as an excuse, it will fall on deaf ears.

The 59-year-old, who finished fifth in his first season, has made the argument that most of his side’s losses this term have come by the odd goal and are down to bad “moments”.

But when themes recur, the manager has to take some slice of the blame.

Such as Spurs conceding from a corner for a FOURTH time against Arsenal since the Aussie took charge with the Gunners’ leveller on Wednesday, though the set-piece should have never been awarded in the first place.

Postecoglou has not wavered from his attacking philosophy, even when he has not had the personnel to carry it out, and it could cost him.

Fraser Forster was never cut out to play out from the back like Postecoglou demands.

And though ambidextrous Antonin Kinsky is here now, those losses when Forster was in the team have taken their toll.

His midfield has been too easy to play through too often and Spurs were lucky not to be punished more by a wasteful Arsenal when he picked three No10s in Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall for a middle trio in the second half at the Emirates.

Gunners icon Petit eviscerated Postecoglou in his post-match analysis for talkSPORT.

The World Cup winner said: “When I look at this team, I have no idea what they want to do on the pitch, what kind of system, what kind of movements, even the commitment and the behaviour of the players.

“When you look at the quality individually and collectively in this team, something has been broken.

“They’ve been losing so many games, they’re dropping down the table, they’re not far off the relegation zone.

“We’re talking about a team that should be playing for the top position in the Premier League.

“Something is broken in this team and you can’t sack all of the players and so you have to make the easiest decision and that’s to sack the manager.

“I don’t like saying that and I feel for Postecoglou, but he deserves to be sacked because they are going down game after game, so change something.”

It would be a safe bet to say Postecoglou’s future hinges on four days at the start of February, provided he makes it that far.

They have Liverpool away in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, where they hold a 1-0 lead, and then Aston Villa away in the FA Cup fourth round.

This season has become solely about the cup competitions and Europe which can be Postecoglou’s saving grace.

That is provided they do not actually get sucked into a dropzone dogfight, with a ‘six-pointer’ at Everton up next.

A treble-winner at Celtic, Postecoglou has said that success at Spurs will be all sweeter given what they have had to go through this term.

But some supporters already think things have turned too sour.

It remains to be seen if that is, or soon will be, the view of Levy, who up to now has backed his man.

The Spurs supremo has proved himself to be a canny businessman in turning Spurs into a behemoth with a world-class stadium, albeit one still starved of silverware.

He will know numbers do not make for good reading right now for Postecoglou.

Back in the 2016-2017 campaign, their last at White Hart Lane, Spurs took 53 points at home, alone.

That is ten more than they are on course to win from this entire sorry league season.

ANTONIN KINSKY is a Czech goalkeeper who signed for Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £12.5 million.

The star comes a footballing family, as his dad - who shares his name - was also a professional goalkeeper.

Generational talent

Antonin was born in Prague, on March 13, 2003.

He played youth football for Tempo Prague before moving to Bohemians 1905 and, later, Dukla Prague.

The footballer made his senior debut with Dukla Prague, in a match which saw his team win the Czech National Football League.

When he moved to Slavia Prague, on a four-year contract, he was named the greatest Czech goalkeeping talent of his generation.

He remained with the club until the end of the 2024-2025 season and conceded only one goal during the first nine league matches of the season.

Antonin's success, coupled with his 6ft 3in height, saw him become one of the most sought after goalkeepers in the world.

Signing to Tottenham

On January 5, 2025, Antonin signed for Spurs on a six-and-a-half year deal.

His signing bagged Slavia Prague a reported £12.5 million.

Antonin made his debut on January 8, 2025 in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

Tottenham defeated Arne Slot's Liverpool side 1-0 and the youngster, who could be seen cuddling his mother in the crowd, won man of the match.

Antonin became the first Tottenham goalkeeper in 101 YEARS to keep clean sheets in his first two games.

However, his incredible run ended when Arsenal managed to turn around his first North London derby, coming from behind to win 2-1 with the keeper partially at fault for both goals.

Antonin's famous dad

The young keeper has a famous father who shares his name.

Antonin Sr played almost 400 games across the Czech and Russian leagues, making him one of the most accomplished goalkeepers of all time.

He is one of his son's biggest supporters and helped coach him through negotiations with Tottenham.

Antonin Jr told iSport.cz: "I have been listening to my dad until this moment.

"I would not have this chance without him.

"From the start, I considered Tottenham to be a great opportunity, but I waited on a green light from my father.

"The meeting with Mr Levy convinced him."

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has a worse Tottenham record than former bosses Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

Spurs' 2-1 defeat at Arsenal last night made it just one win in their last nine Premier League outings.

The North Londoners' awful form has seen them slump to 13th in the Prem table.

Postecoglou, 59, went unbeaten in his first 10 league games in charge last season, winning eight of them.

But that honeymoon period now feels long ago, with Tottenham struggling with injuries and incapable of stringing together strong performances.

The Aussie has won 36 of his 73 games in charge - while drawing 12 and losing 25 - giving him a 49 per cent win percentage.

Conte, 55, lasted three more matches at the helm with 76, winning 41 of them at a percentage of 54 - drawing 12 and losing 23.

Mourinho, meanwhile, took charge of 86 games at the Spurs helm.

The Portuguese achieved a win percentage of 51, triumphing 44 times, drawing 19 and losing 23.

Sandwiched in between the two former Chelsea bosses was Nuno Espirito Santo, who lasted just 17 matches in charge.

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The Portuguese, now flying high with Nottingham Forest, won eight times, drew just twice and lost seven games.

Tottenham's last truly long-term manager was Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine, who transformed Tottenham into legitimate contenders both in the Premier League and in Europe, managed 293 games as Spurs boss.

He won 159 of them, giving him a win percentage of 54, drew 62 and lost 72.

Tottenham's lowest finish since Pochettino's appointment was eighth in the 2022-23 campaign - although they are currently on track to be worse this time around.

ARSENAL came from behind to defeat Tottenham 2-1 in the North London derby.

Son Heung-Min had given the visitors the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play.

But as they have done so often, the Gunners scored from a corner asGabriel Magalhaes' header was bundled in as an own goal byDominic Solanke.

Leandro Trossard then put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time with an fine finish.

Here's how the players rated...

David Raya - 6

Spectator until kept out Kulusevski shot midway through first half, then beaten by deflection for Son goal. Didn’t make a save in second half.

Jurrien Timber - 6

Solid enough defensively to keep Son Heung-Min mostly quiet but less sure of himself going forward, wasting good chances to cross.

William Saliba - 6

Untroubled until Son’s shot went in off him. Started second half hesitantly but kept his concentration to minimise Tottenham openings.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 8

Brilliant interception to deny Solanke then decisive at other end to force equaliser. Excellent against Solanke twice more in calm and steadfast second half.

Myles Lewis-Skelly - 8

Fine pass to play in Sterling set tone for excellent, mature, all-round display from second youngest Arsenal player to start a North London derby.

Thomas Partey - 7

Strong presence who won the ball back well, not least ahead of Arsenal’s second goal. But sometimes looked vulnerable to Spurs’ pace on break.

Declan Rice - 7

Covered lots of ground and finally found a good set-piece delivery to create equaliser. Still not quite at his best, but much closer.

Raheem Sterling - 5

Saw plenty of ball, but with little end product, including golden chances at start of both halves. Curiously reluctant to take on his man. Deservedly hooked.

Martin Odegaard - 6

Prompted and probed without finding killer pass but released Trossard for second goal. Missed chance to make it 3-1, fewer signs of return to form than Rice.

Leandro Trossard - 6

Frustrated home fans with lack of killer instinct and poor decisions until he fired Arsenal in front. Did little after break to merit staying on for so long.

Kai Havertz - 4

Barely involved first half apart from nicking ball off Spurs keeper Kinsky. Headed wide from close range early in second. Nothing coming off for him.

SUBS

Gabriel Martinelli (for Sterling, 61) - 5

Slow to get up to speed and contributed little apart from one penetrating run into the box and a blocked shot.

Kieran Tierney (for Trossard, 77) - 6

Brought on to shore things up and did it well enough.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Lewis-Skelly, 87) - 6

Useful legs for dying minutes, almost created chance.

ARSENAL cannot hit a barn door – but they have somehow given Liverpool something to think about in this Premier League title race.

The Gunners displayed yet more of their attacking frailties in a North London Derby bereft of much quality or spark.

Fourteen shots against Tottenham and just one 40th minute goal from Leandro Trossard, and another – a Dominic Solanke own goal – from a corner that should never have been given.

It cancelled out Heung-Min Son’s deflected 25th minute opener that briefly sent shivers down the spines of a nail-biting Emirates.

The gap at the top is now just four points to Arne Slot’s fumbling Reds, who still have that game in hand. Arsenal continue to trip over their own feet, but moving forward they continue to do.

If Mikel Arteta’s men can cling on like this playing this averagely, just imagine the sort of run they can put together when Bukayo Saka makes his hero’s return from a hamstring injury.

Not that Ange Postecoglou’s injury-plagued Spurs put up much of a fight, now just eight points off the bottom three in 13th without a win in their last five league games.

After being taken to extra-time by part-timers Tamworth in the FA Cup, Ange ripped up his starting XI with four changes, bringing back old faithfuls Son, Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski.

Arteta went one better with five changes – Declan Rice and Thomas Partey returned to the midfield while Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling sandwiched Kai Havertz up top.

Clearly, this was not an attacking threesome brimming with confidence. Sterling was making just his third Prem start since joining the club – his last coming in October in a defeat to Bournemouth.

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Havertz lead the line again despite still being shaken by the vile abuse his pregnant wife received on Instagram in the wake of his shoot-out miss in the shoot-out loss to Manchester United.

Gabriel Jesus ruptured his ACL in that FA Cup third round exit, joining Saka in the medical room – the England star watched his side warm-up from the sidelines on crutches as he recovers from hamstring surgery.

The Arsenal players walked onto the pitch donning a shirt with his name and No.9 on the back with the message ‘Stay Strong Gabby’.

And the hosts started strong, sticking to the script of their last two outings – producing 49 shots and one goal – of dominating proceedings, wasting half-chances before giving the opposition hope.

Inside a fizzing and crackling atmosphere at the Emirates, Havertz went into full derby-mode straight away, flying in with a sliding tackle as Myles Lewis-Skelly nearly put in Sterling through the middle.

Then came the set-pieces. Three corners inside the ten minutes was a real test for this put-together Spurs back four, but they dealt with it well, especially new keeper Antonin Kinsky.

Martin Odegaard crossed for Rice at the far post and Trossard had an attempt blocked by Archie Gray.

Ange was left frustrated by ref Simon Hooper with a few 50-50 fouls, but in truth, this young Spurs group were getting battered and bullied by Arsenal’s burly giants.

Kinsky started to look nervy, charged down by an onrushing Havertz before smothering well. The Czech then nearly did the same way out of his box minutes later.

But the tide was turning. Djed Spence stormed down the left and with the outside of his boot picked out Solanke but for a brilliant Gabriel interception.

Arsenal were ragged and loose. Pape Sarr was allowed to run over 60 yards to win a corner, and from there, the visitors pounced with an unlikely but completely inevitable opener.

Gabriel headed away a short corner to Son, so unmarked that he was able to watch the looping ball onto his boot and cushion a shot off the foot of William Saliba and past a helpless David Raya.

Son shushed the crowd, and the home supporters obliged, collapsing into nervy silence.

Yet the answer came from Arsenal’s seventh corner of the game. Rice’s in-swinger targeted the far post.

Kinsky on this occasion was blocked and Gabriel evaded Radu Dragusin to nod in off Solanke.

It should not have counted of course. Trossard’s cross bounced off Pedro Porro and back onto the leg of the winger before trickling out.

Ange was seething. He also felt Sarr had been fouled by Lewis-Skelly in the build-up.

Four minutes later, Yves Bissouma then lost the ball in his own half to Partey.

Odegaard broke and fed Trossard, that tricky little Belgian involved again, this time doing what his teammates have not done in a long time: whack a ball towards goal with anger and see what happens.

It smacked the side-netting through a weak, flappy Kinsky wrist and Trossard celebrated by cupping his ears to an unwelcoming away end.

Surprisingly, but not really, Ange went for broke at the break. James Maddison and Brennan Johnson were thrown on leaving his side top heavy and exposed.

It led to a disjointed, end-to-end second half, like two groggy boxers throwing biggun’s without really landing anything.

Havertz had a header straight at Kinsky and Odegaard missed a sitter late on. Spurs had a few decent counters that left Raya unmoved.

Arsenal, incredibly, are still alive. Spurs' season is on life support.

ARSENAL came from behind to defeat Tottenham 2-1 in the North London derby.

Son Heung-Min had given the visitors the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play.

But as they have done so often, the Gunners scored from a corner asGabriel Magalhaes' header was bundled in as an own goal byDominic Solanke.

Leandro Trossard then put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time with an fine finish.

Here's how the players rated...

David Raya - 6

Spectator until kept out Kulusevski shot midway through first half, then beaten by deflection for Son goal. Didn’t make a save in second half.

Jurrien Timber - 6

Solid enough defensively to keep Son Heung-Min mostly quiet but less sure of himself going forward, wasting good chances to cross.

William Saliba - 6

Untroubled until Son’s shot went in off him. Started second half hesitantly but kept his concentration to minimise Tottenham openings.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 8

Brilliant interception to deny Solanke then decisive at other end to force equaliser. Excellent against Solanke twice more in calm and steadfast second half.

Myles Lewis-Skelly - 8

Fine pass to play in Sterling set tone for excellent, mature, all-round display from second youngest Arsenal player to start a North London derby.

Thomas Partey - 7

Strong presence who won the ball back well, not least ahead of Arsenal’s second goal. But sometimes looked vulnerable to Spurs’ pace on break.

Declan Rice - 7

Covered lots of ground and finally found a good set-piece delivery to create equaliser. Still not quite at his best, but much closer.

Raheem Sterling - 5

Saw plenty of ball, but with little end product, including golden chances at start of both halves. Curiously reluctant to take on his man. Deservedly hooked.

Martin Odegaard - 6

Prompted and probed without finding killer pass but released Trossard for second goal. Missed chance to make it 3-1, fewer signs of return to form than Rice.

Leandro Trossard - 6

Frustrated home fans with lack of killer instinct and poor decisions until he fired Arsenal in front. Did little after break to merit staying on for so long.

Kai Havertz - 4

Barely involved first half apart from nicking ball off Spurs keeper Kinsky. Headed wide from close range early in second. Nothing coming off for him.

SUBS

Gabriel Martinelli (for Sterling, 61) - 5

Slow to get up to speed and contributed little apart from one penetrating run into the box and a blocked shot.

Kieran Tierney (for Trossard, 77) - 6

Brought on to shore things up and did it well enough.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Lewis-Skelly, 87) - 6

Useful legs for dying minutes, almost created chance.