McNeil good enough for top six, Crystal Palace set for tough run-in and Brighton’s confidence booster
Mikel Arteta’s benching of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for lateness was hardly draconian. Gone are the days when Sir Alex Ferguson made David Beckham sit in the Elland Road stands after missing training to attend to a sick Brooklyn or Roy Keane commanded the Sunderland team bus to leave three players behind because they were a minute late. But as Tottenham’s rope-a-dope tactics looked to be working in the first half, the tardy captain’s demotion appeared a case of principles overriding pragmatism. When Alexandre Lacazette chose to step over rather than to shoot in the moments following Érik Lamela’s goal, Aubameyang’s incisiveness appeared an avoidable loss. So too when Lacazette swung at fresh air when Nicolas Pépé had cued him up. All parties will be thankful for Davinson Sánchez’s clattering follow-through giving Lacazette chance to score from the spot. Discipline established, a derby win, all good for Arteta. John Brewin
• Match report: Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham