Penalties, red card as Tottenham salvage draw against Arsenal 

Arsenal were pegged to a 1-1 draw against Tottenham at Wembley stadium in a North London derby high on controversial moments, penalties and a red card.

Ahead of his summer move to Juventus, Aaron Ramsey started his last North London derby for Arsenal in its 185th edition, and the Welshman scored the opening goal on 16 minutes.

The 28-year-old midfielder punished a Tottenham defence playing a high defensive line, caught up in the opposition half and which failed to properly clear the ball.

The surprisingly sub-par defender’s poor clearance, waltzed through the half, rounded Lloris before tucking the ball into an empty net. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno made solid stops to keep Tottenham at bay, including a brilliant double save to maintain Arsenal’s 1-0 lead at halftime.

Staring a third straight league defeat in the face, Mauricio Pochettino’s lethargic men were controversially handed a dubious opportunity to get back into it on 74 minutes and it was one which they ruthlessly took.

Fresh from his injury return, Harry Kane looked offside as a free kick was delivered into the box but was not spotted, and the England striker was brought down by Shkodran Mustafi’s nudge on the back while trying to reach the ball.

The Spurs talisman picked himself up and found the bottom corner to draw Tottenham level. Arsenal were, however, given a golden opportunity- through another controversial call- to win the game but fluffed their lines.

Substitute, Pierre-Emmerick Aubameyang latched on to a Mkhitaryan through ball in the box but the Gabonese fell to ground easily under pressure from Davidson Sanchez and referee, Anthony Taylor, again, pointed to the spot.

Aubameyang was, however, thwarted by Hugo Lloris, the French goalkeeper pushing out the striker’s poor effort.

Alex Iwobi rolled the rebound to Aubameyang for an easy tap in but Jan Vertonghen made a superb last-ditch clearance.

There was to be more drama as the Gunners were reduced to ten men in added time as summer signing, Lucas Torreira, was given a straight red card.

The Uruguayan was punished for a high follow-through tackle on Danny Rose’s leg.

Asked, after the match to discuss the penalties awarded, Arsenal manager, Emery, stated that “VAR is coming to help the referees” as the Gunners stay in fourth, two points ahead of Manchester United who could overtake them with a win in their fixture against Southampton.