Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur match ended in a 3-3 draw, puts Chelsea on 2nd spot in EPL standings

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur match ended in a 3-3 draw, puts Chelsea on 2nd spot in EPL standings

Arsenal have yet again failed to bag three full points, after the Gunners secured a 3-3 draw against the Tottenham Hotspur, at the White Hart Lane, on Wednesday, 20 April.

The encounter could be termed as one of the most absorbing contest of the season, as Arsenal after taking lead in the fifth minute and maintaining a two goals lead till the 41^st minute, threw the match away and ended with the Spurs on level terms.

As a result of this draw, Chelsea has snatched the second spot in the English Premier League standings from Arsenal, on the basis of goal difference. Chelsea had secured an easy 3-1 victory over Birmingham City, placing the side second in the EPL rankings. The Blues now have a positive goal difference of 34, as compared to 32 by Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

The first-half of the match was played with great intent from both the teams, as the fans witnessed three goals being scored in the very first fifteen minutes of the match. Arsenal scored two and Spurs netted one, to setup a great contest.

Theo Walcott provided the first strike for Arsenal in the fifth minute, which was later equalized by Chelsea’s Rafael Van der Vaart in the seventh minute. Frenchman, Samir Nasri then stepped up for Arsenal and gave them a one goal advantage in the 13^th minute.

After Nasri, it was Robin Van Persie who joined the goal scorers list and extended the Gunners’ lead to two goals, in the 42^nd minute. Arsenal’s convincing lead did not last long, as Tom Huddlestone’s 44^th minute strike saw the first half end on a 3-2 score.

The Spurs entered the second-half with great desperation and their hard work paid them the dividends in the 71^st minute, when a rare mistake form Modric on Aaron Lennon was penalized with a penalty kick, in favour of the Spurs. Dutchman, Rafael Van der Vaart made no mistake and brought the Spurs back in the match, by scoring his second goal of the game.

The match was played in a very right spirit. Three Arsenal players were booked by the referee during the contest. Tom Huddlestone, Gael Clichy and Alexandre song were booked in the 44^th, 45’+3 and 47^th minute respectively.

Beating the Spurs at home will be a challenge for the Gunners, as Tottenham Hotspur have been ousted only once on their own field since last August. Arsenal, on the other hand, hold a very impressive away record, as the Gunners are yet to loose in an away fixture.