Arsenal 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs withstood a late onslaught from the Gunners to earn a vital draw in a tension filled match at Highbury. The match had almost everything you would expect from a north London derby: a controvetrsial goal, a brilliant strike from Henry, arguing managers, and a player sent off. Tottenham created most of the chances in the first half, but could not score. Michael Carrick ran through the Arsenal defense and around keeper Jens Lehman, but his shot hit the side netting from a tight angle. Later, Jermaine Defoe's point blank blast struck Lehman in the face.

The match was still scoreless when Arsene Wenger sent on Thierry Henry as a substitute near the hour mark. That's when things got interesting. After two Arsenal players ran into each other and went to ground, the Highbury crowd expected the ball to be kicked out of play. Instead, Spurs kept playing, and Edgar Davids crossed the ball for Robbie Keane to tap into the goal. Lehman and Davids exchanged words after the goal, as did the two managers, Wenger and Martin Jol.

From my point of view, though, Arsenal had nothing to complain about. I don't think Spurs were under any obligation to kick the ball out after two Gunners tripped over one another. The Tottenham players simply took advantage of a mistake by their opponents. That's far less egregious than Henry's quick free kick against Chelsea a season ago, so I don't want to hear any post-match complaining from Wenger.

A win would have all but locked up fourth place for Spurs, but a moment of magic from Henry tied the match for Arsenal. Darting into the box, Henry collected a pass from Adebayor with his first touch and stabbed the ball with the outside of his right foot with his second. The quick strike, executed at full speed, bounced just inside the right post. With ten minutes remaining, the match was level once again.

It got even worse for Spurs two minutes later when Edgar Davids was shown a second yellow card for tripping Flamini from behind. It was one-way traffic for the final ten minutes, but Arsenal could not find a winner against ten man Spurs. Paul Robinson came well off the line to punch the ball clear of danger in the final minute to ensure a point for Tottenham.
It was a tense, exciting match befitting the final north London derby at Highbury. Well, maybe not for Arsenals fans.

If Spurs win their final two matches, they will finish fourth and earn a spot in next year's Champions League. Unless, of course, Arsenal win this year's Championship League. If that happens, then, because of another ridiculous UEFA rule, the Gunners will be in next year and Spurs will be left out. That would be even more unfair than letting Liverpool into this year's Champion's League. It has always been my contention that if you can't finish in the top four, you don't qualify for the Champions League. No exceptions. But if UEFA wants to make some silly provision to let a reigning champion (that can't seem to finish fourth or higher in the domestic league) defend the European title, then don't do it at the expense of a team that earned their win in legitimately.

2 comments

Comments:

Comment from: peter kimpton [Visitor]

It is basic common sense for the champions to have the right to play in the following year. Bear in mind the extra games with all the problems of injuries, extra fixtures Not counting the pressures that Arsenal will have had compared to Spurs. I even agree with Sir Fergy about this!

23/04/06 @ 00:20

Comment from: Jeremy Granade [Member]

Thanks for your comments. I encourage everyone to express their opinions on this site, especially those that are different from my own. However, if the Champions League is a reward for a top four finish in the EPL, then why should the fourth place team have to give up their spot to accomodate the reigning champions? If, over the course of 38 games, Tottenham have proven themselves the better club, then they deserve the CL bid. If Arsenal are good enough to win the Champions League, then surely they should have been able to finish in the top four in the EPL. If they under-performed in their domestic league, then they have only themselves to blame, and Spurs shouldn't be penalised.

23/04/06 @ 17:07

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