EPL 2021-22, Matchday 6 review: Fearless Arsenal slumps Tottenham Hotspur 3-1

The English Premier League 2021-22 Matchday 6 commitments came to an end on Sunday. The Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur clash was the only headliner of the day, with the former triumphing.

It was an emphatic end to Matchday 6 of the 2021-22 English Premier League. On Sunday, the only headliner clash was between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, a London Derby, held at the Emirates Stadium.

It was a triumphant performance from the host, as it had already won the game in the opening half. As it emerged victorious 3-1, it rose to the tenth spot while the visitor has slumped to 11th.

Opening half
It was the most eventful half, as the opening attack from the Gunners in the 12th minute saw Emile Smith-Rowe, who tapped in a low cross from Bukayo Saka. A couple of more episodes were followed by either side before Arsenal doubled it in the 27th via Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fiery stroke, thanks to Smith-Rowe's incisive assist.

Saka scored the third through a self-assist seven minutes later, producing some magical gameplay to twist past the Tottenham defenders and shoot it low with his right foot past the goalkeeper. Although the visitor pulled off a promising attack in the 37th minute, the host maintained the lead at half-time.

Second half
The second half saw four attacks before Spurs eventually pulled one back in the 79th minute. Heung-Min Son fired in a deflection off Aaron Ramsdale following an assist from Sergio Reguilon. However, it turned out to be a mere consolation for the side, as both sides failed to pull off any promising attacks thereon, with the Gunners defending well and the latter registered a convincing 3-1 win.

Vital stats

• Saka became the first EPL player to start in three games before the age of 21 since Gareth Bale in 2010.
• Arsenal's three goals within 34 minutes is the earliest a side involved in the North London derby has scored in the EPL.
• It was the first time that the Gunners led at half-time by three goals in the derby.
• Saka is the youngest (20 years, 21 days) to score an assist in an EPL North London derby.
• For the first time since 2003, Tottenham has conceded three-plus goals in three successive EPL games.
• Spurs is also the first EPL side since Everton (1993-94) to win the first three games and lose the following three.