Moussa Dembele defies analysis by being himself. This Alternative Match Report of the North London derby explores his importance to the Spurs’ playing style.
“Ohhhh Moussa Dembeleee’’ echoes across the rather large space that is Wembley Stadium, which would appear bemusing to those who aren’t watching the game or relying on highlights. Dembele hasn’t scored, hasn’t got an assist, and hasn’t strayed much further beyond the halfway line.
And yet…and yet the fan appreciation for Spurs midfielder is more than justified. They adore him. It’s the kind of performance that’s easy to look past. In a volatile North London derby, Dembele has done what he has been doing for most of the season – used sheer grace and poise to keep control of the ball, and allowed Spurs to play on calmly. For a big man who previously worked as midfield enforcer and goal-scorer at Fulham and in his early Spurs career, this reinvention is special. There were moments when he swivelled around Ozil with all the poise of a qualified dancer, moments where he lost the ball and very quickly retrieved it, before passing it on with an assurance that was needed in this relatively young Spurs side. These moments are part of the bigger picture, these moments create the Pochettino vision.
Arsenal’s great hope going into the game mainly lay with Aubameyang, the pacey striker who relies on service to get his goals. Yet the Arsenal service was derailed by Dembele. Mohamed Elneny struggled, and Mkhitaryan went AWOL, and as a result, both were taken off mid-way through the second half. There was no pathway. Aubameyang was stranded, cutting a lonely figure, almost like a Robinson Crusoe in the box. To his credit, Jack Wilshere was the only Arsenal player in that middle who seemed comfortable threading passes through, and you would think he, and the team, regretted the absence of Aaron Ramsey alongside him.