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Tottenham Hotspur have defeated Arsenal each of the last times they lifted the FA Cup, so the 3rd round draw felt like it might be a good omen of things to come and an opportunity for Spurs to turn their season around with a good derby result. Instead, they turned in a very poor performance, losing 2-0 at the Emirates and coming away with no claim that they deserved better.
Christian Eriksen had an excellent chance in the 9th minute, but that would be the last time Spurs looked like the better side and truly capable of threatening Arsenal on the day. He was played in on goal and looked to be in great position to score a one-on-one with Lukasz Fabianski, but he took one too many touches and put his shot into the keeper's stomach.
Spurs had decent spells after that, but were looking far from excellent by the time Santi Cazorla scored Arsenal's opener in the 31st minute. Gunners youngster Serge Gnabry had no problem finding a large pocket of space between the Spurs' defense and midfield, and he wasn't closed down by any midfielder or central defender. Kyle Walker took the responsibility of closing him down, leaving space open on Arsenal's left. Gnabry found Cazorla, who finished comfortably.
Fearing a red card for Thomas Vermaelen, who had a number of close calls in the first half, Arsenal took him off for Per Mertesacker at halftime. That proved to be a great change, with Mertesacker playing a very composed and mistake-free second half.
Arsenal's clincher came in the 64th minute, off a terrible turnover by Danny Rose. He took a bad touch and was dispossessed by Tomas Rosicky, who surged past him and placed a composed finish past Hugo Lloris at the end of an excellent individual run.
Theo Walcott was forced off the pitch with an injury -- after Arsenal had made all of their subs -- with just over 10 minutes to go. A man advantage didn't help Spurs to look more dangerous, as Arsenal held on for a 2-0 victory in comfortable fashion.
