First Half
Tottenham lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, using the people's choice of Adebayor and Defoe up top. With the departure of Rafael Van Der Vaart as the only real number 10, to link midfield and attack, it was a justifiable choice. However, it left them a man short in midfield, which meant that Arsenal's midfield three were free to dominate. Arsenal played in the usual 4-3-3, no surprises.
Defoe drifted to the left in the early minutes, mainly to target Per Mertesacker as his pace could cause the German a real problem. And it did when he drew him out of position and was 1-on-1 with Szczesny. His parried shot found Adebayor and Spurs were ahead.
After Adebayor's dismissal, Tottenham were left with only Defoe isolated up front, and their formation was now a 4-4-1.
And with less pressure on Arsenal's deep lying midfield duo of Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta, Arsenal were allowed more time on the ball.
The main threat going forward for Arsenal was on the right flank. Walcott was getting the better of Naughton all the time, and with Sagna supporting. So it was no surprise when Mertesacker expertly headed in from a Walcott cross.
Totttenham were defending deep in their own half, and the only way to penetrate a team like that is quick passing combination around the box, or a piece of individual brilliance. Barcelona have to do it on a weekly basis when teams shut up shop. So a move started by Arteta, finished with Podolski's shot trickling into the corner of the net.
That individual brilliance came when Cazorla picked up the ball ten yards from the D, beat Kyle Naughton who fouled him in the process. Advantage played. Santi then beat Lennon and fired in an accurate cross for the much maligned Olivier Giroud to knock in.
Second Half
Tottenham switched to a surprisingly offensive 3-4-1-1. Dempsey was brought on, and would harry Arteta and limit his control on the game. Good luck.
Lennon and Bale would act as make shift wing backs, a risk taken by AVB. And it didn't pay off as Lennon was too far upfield to halt Podolski, and Bale was also too far upfield to stop Cazorla's finish.
Tottenham's lackluster counter attacking paid off when Gareth Bale's charge and drive found the bottom left corner of the net.
Chamberlain's introduction killed off Tottenham, who had spent the majority of the match chasing the ball, as his run fooled Bale and Vertonghen, leaving Dawson alone against him and Walcott. And there was only going to be one winner.
Cazorla's movement in the final third was magnificent. He targeted the wings as conversion to 3 centre backs for Tottenham left a lot of space out wide.
Cazorla Heat Map 2nd Half
Man Of The Match
I believe that he is the best player in the Premier League. His touches were majestic. His awareness and decision making was incredible. The manner in which he analysed space as his targeted the flanks in the second half to gain more time on the ball was magnificent. His passing was flawless. When I said that he was the Premier League's answer to Andres Iniesta, I wasn't kidding.
