Arsenal vs. Tottenham score, player ratings: Lacazette scores North London derby winner for Gunners

A physical second half saw the Gunners complete the comeback without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal came from behind to score a big win on Sunday, beating rival Tottenham in the North London derby, 2-1. The Gunners went behind just 33 minutes in after substitute Erik Lamela's ridiculous rabona goal, but Arsenal got a goal just before halftime from Martin Odegaard before Alexandre Lacazette scored the winner from a penalty kick in the 64th minute. 

Mikel Arteta's team entered this match with questions after star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was benched for being late to a meeting, but it turns out that they didn't need him. The Gunners secured a fully deserved three points to move within five points of the top six. Spurs, meanwhile, blew a chance to move within three points of the top four, with their Champions League hopes taking a big blow with 12 games remaining on the season.

Spurs finished the game with just five shots, three on goal. Arsenal had 13 total shots and won the battle of possession. 

Here are our player ratings for the match:

Arsenal player ratings

Bernd Leno 
Had very little to deal with, and he cannot be blamed for Lamela's goal. He was saved by the post late. Did have a couple good saves.
Rating: 6

Kieran Tierney 
Did a lot of good things, from his precise passing to making challenges at the perfect time. He was key on Arsenal's first with a dangerous ball into the box. Quality.
Rating: 8

David Luiz 
Perhaps could have reacted a little quicker on the Lamela goal, but nobody was expecting that. Positioning wasn't all that great, but Tottenham didn't threaten much.
Rating: 5

Gabriel 
Had some solid moments, recovering the ball well and winning duels. Didn't even have to make a tackle, which tells you he faced little. Big save with his lead after Kane's free kick to secure the win.
Rating: 7

Cedric 
A strong showing. Good in his tackles, intercepted the ball well and was positioned smartly. Struggled in the air due to size and almost got a goal, hitting the right post.
Rating: 6

Granit Xhaka 
A pretty boring match from him, as he wasn't involved much going forward. But, that was to be expected. Did complete 94.3 percent of his passes to keep the ball moving in the middle.
Rating: 6

Thomas Partey
Did OK to close down on Lamela but took a nutmeg as a result of not keeping his legs close together. His passing was also a bit off.
Rating: 5

Emile Smith Rowe
What a player he is becoming. His passing was exceptional, he created four chances and he was a constant problem with the ball at his feet. Unlucky not to score, rocking a shot off the crossbar.
Rating: 8

Martin Ordegaard
Finding his form in attack for the club, getting an equalizer. Super sharp in his passing, while also creating two chances. A little fortunate to have scored, but sometimes you need a little luck.
Rating: 8

Bukayo Saka 
Came off at the break, though it is unclear why. Never really got going.
Rating: N/A

Alexandre Lacazette
Deserves a lot of credit for his good run leading to the penalty kick, which he put away beautifully. His expectation, as a starter, was to score, and he did just that. Didn't wow anybody but very impactful. 
Rating: 7

Nicolas Pepe
Played a half and delivered a beautiful pass to Lacazette to draw the penalty.
Rating: 6

Willian
Thirteen minutes off the bench and just nine touches.
Rating: N/A

Mikel Arteta
Bold move in benching Aubameyang, but it paid off. The team was confident, creative and is starting to gel. A confident performance.
Rating: 8

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Tottenham player ratings

Hugo Lloris
Saved by the post a couple times, while also having some bad fortune on the equalizer. Did have a couple quality saves but at times was shaky.
Rating: 5

Sergio Reguilon
Quick to play balls in, playing a big part in the opener with a fine one-touch into the heart of the box. Defensively, it wasn't nearly as good though. Just lacked awareness.
Rating: 6

Toby Alderweireld
Unlucky on the first goal, because his positioning was good. The ball just took a bad bounce. His confidence was a bit low after that.
Rating: 5

Davinson Sanchez
Had some really excellent challenges, especially early in the second half. Looked a bit frustrating as the game went on, but he was pretty confident. 
Rating: 6

Matt Doherty 
Carved up time and time again. Needed a bit of help and didn't really get it. Just completely done up.
Rating: 3

Pierre-Emile Hojberg
Didn't do much to impress. Created one chance but was rather quiet.
Rating: 5

Tanguy Ndombele
Did not get the chance to impose his will as he would have liked and struggled to deal with Arsenal's fast movement.
Rating: 5

Son Heung-Min 
Came off injured in the first half.
Rating: N/A

Lucas
Unselfish as can be, getting an assist on the opener with a little touch that just showed how aware he was of what was around him. Other than that, quiet. 
Rating: 6

Gareth Bale 
Looked shocked to be taken off before the hour mark, but he really did nothing other than switching the field once on the goal.
Rating: 5

Harry Kane
His best chance came late on a free kick that he rocked off the post. Was a fantastic effort that nearly went in. Quiet other than that.
Rating: 5

Erik Lamela
Scored one of the greatest ever goals in the North London derby, and then he all but ruined it with a red card in the second half.
Rating: 5

Dele Alli
Didn't see much of the ball in 28 minutes.
Rating: N/A

Moussa Sissoko
Played a half an hour and also wasn't involved much. Arsenal had full control.
Rating: N/A

Manager - Jose Mourinho
The injury to Son was unfortunate, as was the red card to Lamela, but he should have removed Doherty, who really struggled. There is tension in this side, and you can feel it. It was another performance against a big team where they just were out-matched and out-coached.
Rating: 3

[Mar 14, 2021 at 2:07 pm ET · James Benge]

As you can imagine there was quite the reaction from the Spurs bench, who I'm sat only a few feet away from, to that Lamela yellow. In particular a bit of a running (verbal) battle is developing between David Luiz and Joao Sacramento.

The Spurs assistant seems to take offence to something Luiz had said -- it looked like Arsenal player was telling him to calm down -- and called fourth official, who told Sacramento to sit down. Kevin Friend is having to act like a kindergarten teacher as tensions rise.

[Mar 14, 2021 at 1:54 pm ET · James Benge]

If you were after a stat to typify Spurs' approach to this game might I offer this one. That goal from Lacazette was his sixth touch in the Tottenham box. Mourinho's side have had five in the Arsenal penalty area.

[Mar 14, 2021 at 1:52 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

He does it perfectly! Arsenal in the lead with less than a half an hour to go! A fine finish to the bottom right, sending Lloris the other way!