PIERS MORGAN joked “even our mascot is harder than Tottenham’s” after Sky Sports cameras caught an Arsenal kid SHOVING his counterpart.
The North London Derby is always a feisty affair on the field.
But the Gunners mascot showed the rivalry continues off it, too – and starts at a very young age.
The Sky cameras gave a look inside the tunnel before the players lined up to come out for kick-off in the crunch clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
And the Arsenal youngster, decked out in the away kit like his heroes, proved he was up for the fight.
After seeing the Spurs kids high-five a few of the Arsenal subs, the visiting mascot ran over towards his rivals.
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Then he jokingly shoved one of the Tottenham counterparts and gave it large ahead of one of the biggest games of the season.
That prompted Arsenal-mad Piers to tweet a series of laughing emojis then added: “Even our mascots are harder than Tottenham’s…”
And that prompted a wave of replies from fellow excited Gooners.
One said: “Yes 100%. Arsenal blood.”
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Another added: “He’s so cheeky.”
A third wrote: “The hatred is real.”
Arsenal ratings vs Spurs as Gabriel is the hero in feisty North London derby
GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.
Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.
You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too.
GABRIEL – 9
A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock).
Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man.
BEN WHITE – 6
Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.
Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.
JORGINHO – 4
Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.
A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.
Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.
Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him.
Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with.
Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45.
Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
A fourth quipped: “What a blinder. This kid deserves a medal.”
And a final user labelled the mascot a “legend”.
But one Spurs fan hit back, jokingly calling the child “feral” for his rascal behaviour.
Ten minutes before half-time, tempers flared on the field, too.
Jurrien Timber was penalised for a questionable foul on Pedro Porro but did not hear the whistle and carried on into the Tottenham penalty area.
He then squared up to Guglielmo Vicario, grabbing his shirt before players from both sides piled into the brawl – and both antagonists were booked.
Timber got the last laugh though, as his team-mate Gabriel headed in the only goal of the game.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
