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Tottenham 2 Arsenal 0 – Five things we learnt: Olivier Giroud is dreaming about Marseille, Dele Alli is truly world class and Mesut Ozil needs selling this summer

Spurs were vibrant, determined and classy, whereas the Gunners were lethargic and bereft of ideas in the north London derby

TOTTENHAM kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a 2-0 home victory against Arsenal.

The victory ensured Mauricio Pochettino's side will finish above their great rivals for the first time since 1995.

 Arsenal were defeated, and comfortably, by their great rivals today at White Hart Lane
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Arsenal were defeated, and comfortably, by their great rivals today at White Hart LaneCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

For Arsenal, it was a performance that showed all that is wrong at the club right now. Moody players lacking desire and drive to reward their increasingly despairing fans.


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It will only add pressure onto Arsene Wenger to step down in the summer, but it's the players who should be fearing for their future the most.

Here are five things we learnt.

Arsenal don't have ANY leaders

The tie was finely poised at half-time, where despite Spurs being the better side, they had spurned a whole host of chances to give the visitors hope.

But in three minutes of the second half, the game was over.

First Dele Alli bundled the ball over for 1-0 in the 55th minute, then Harry Kane netted from the penalty spot after he was tripped in the box by Gabriel.

 Laurent Koscielny cut a forlorn figure in the backline, and was subdued as Spurs attacked at will
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Laurent Koscielny cut a forlorn figure in the backline, and was subdued as Spurs attacked at willCredit: Rex Features

Not one single Arsenal player had the balls for the battle in the second period - even captain Laurent Koscielny was quiet.

Just like the thrashings against Bayern Munich, Arsenal's players looked moody, unmoved and barely bothered that they were 2-0 down to their fierce local rivals.

They have one player who would gladly fight for the shirt in the trenches. Sadly Jack Wilshere is injured and on loan at Bournemouth.

Arsenal need a summer clear out, whether Arsene Wenger is there or not.

Europe's best should break the bank for Alli

He has continued to recieve the plaudits all season, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year was justified, but he probably should have won the main award too.

It is difficult to find any weaknesses in Dele Alli's game, and it's no wonder that Barcelona are believed to be eager to snap him up.

 Dele Alli netted following a bit of a scrap in the box - but his all-round game was fantastic again
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Dele Alli netted following a bit of a scrap in the box - but his all-round game was fantastic againCredit: Rex Features

Alli scored the first goal today and while it was a scrappy one, he was once again there when it mattered.

He can defend, can attack, scores goals, and has seemingly knocked out that silly side to his game that saw him pick up needless bookings.

It's hard, even now at the age of 21, to argue against Alli being labelled "world class".

Olivier Giroud is dreaming about Marseille

The French striker cut a frustrated figure today up top for Arsenal.

You could count the number of touches Olivier Giroud had in the first half on two hands, and it didn't get much better in the second half.

With rumours of a summer move to Marseille doing the rounds, it looked like Giroud was already dreaming about French football and a stroll around the port.

He was replaced by Theo Walcott with nine minutes to go. We are just surprised he lasted that long.

 Olivier Giroud has been linked with a move back to France with Marseille - he was well off it today
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Olivier Giroud has been linked with a move back to France with Marseille - he was well off it todayCredit: Getty Images

Even Steve Bould is sick of Arsene Wenger

At 1-0 down, Arsene Wenger was up and gesticulating.

When Harry Kane stroked home from the penalty spot, the French manager went ballistic, and once again it was aimed in the direction of Gunners legend Steve Bould.

But Bould didn't even give the boss a sideways look, let alone get involved in his mutterings.

There has long been the belief that Wenger and Bould don't always "see eye to eye".

We'd imagine that is an understatement. Maybe today Wenger was asking Bould why his defensive training is clearly being ignored by Arsenal's blundering back line.

 Arsene Wenger was his infuriated best today as his side lost the north London derby to Spurs
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Arsene Wenger was his infuriated best today as his side lost the north London derby to SpursCredit: EPA
 The relationship between Arsene Wenger and Steve Bould has blown up in the past - today the latter barely acknowledge the manager
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The relationship between Arsene Wenger and Steve Bould has blown up in the past - today the latter barely acknowledge the managerCredit: PA:Press Association

Mesut Ozil needs selling this summer

If you can't get up for what is regarded as one of the biggest games of the season, then you simply shouldn't be wearing an Arsenal shirt.

And today, not for the first time this season, Arsenal's £42.5million man went missing.

But it wasn't just that Mesut Ozil went missing, but he simply didn't look bothered.

With three minutes to go, the ball was passed to the German international on the left-flank for a free-kick that should have been pumped into the box, to at least cause some panic.

But almost nonchantly, Ozil sidefooted the ball to a team-mate, then skulked off with his head down.

It's definitely time for the Gunners to cut their losses. The only worry would be how they could possibly expect to get anything more than around £25million for the sulky one.

 Youd have been forgive for thinking Mesut Ozil wasn't even playing today such was his anonymity today
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Youd have been forgive for thinking Mesut Ozil wasn't even playing today such was his anonymity todayCredit: Getty Images
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