Mathieu Flamini scored twice as Arsenal beat North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to book their place in the fourth round of the League Cup.
The Gunners took the lead in the first half when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's strike was parried by Michel Vorm, and Flamini followed up to score the rebound.
After the break Spurs drew level as Calum Chambers could only divert a cross from Nacer Chadli into his own net.
Tottenham threatened a second goal, but it was Arsenal who claimed the win as Flamini crashed in a volley from the edge of the box to send his team through.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! We've reached the third round of this season's League Cup, with the Premier League's best teams all entering the tournament. It has also thrown up a fascinating tie, as Arsenal make the short trip to face rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby.
It has been a miserable week for the Gunners, who have lost their previous two games. They suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last Wednesday, before slipping to a narrow loss against Chelsea in controversial circumstances at the weekend.
Spurs have had a much better week than their close rivals and have won their past three games. The more recent of those was on Sunday afternoon, where a goal from Son Heung-min handed them a victory over Crystal Palace.
I can tell you that the teams have been announced, so let's take a look at which players will be lining up at White Hart Lane when the action begins.
TOTTENHAM XI: Vorm, Trippier, Fazio, Wimmer, Rose, Carroll, Dier, Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend, Kane
ARSENAL XI: Ospina, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Campbell, Giroud
TOTTENHAM SUBS: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Winks, Alli, Clinton, Son
ARSENAL SUBS: Macey, Bellerin, Monreal, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez, Walcott
So, that's how the teams will start this evening. Let's begin with a look at the visitors, who have chosen to start Olivier Giroud ahead of Theo Walcott. There is also a rare chance for Joel Campbell to impress, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey completing the attack.
With the Gunners missing key midfielders Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla through injury and suspension, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini both come into the starting lineup. It is all change in defence, as Per Mertesacker returns from a virus to partner Calum Chambers, with Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs occupying the full-back positions and David Ospina starting in goal.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have made eight changes to their side after victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend. Harry Kane keeps his place up front, despite failing to score a club goal this season, while Eric Dier and Nacir Chadli also retain their spots in the team. Most notably Andros Townsend and Christian Eriksen are brought back into the starting XI.
The Gunners will be hoping to bounce back after a difficult week, that has seen their league and European aspirations take a blow. They would have expected to start their Champions League campaign with a win against Dinamo Zagreb last Wednesday, as the Croatian side had lost 11 of their previous 12 group games.
However, they fell behind to an early Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal, before Olivier Giroud was sent off just minutes before half time, after picking up two cheap bookings. Junior Fernandes then doubled Zagreb's lead, and although Theo Walcott pulled a goal back, Arsenal could not score again as they endured another disappointing night in Europe.
Arsene Wenger's side then travelled to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea at the weekend, hoping to win their first league match against the Blues in four years. Things weren't going too badly for them, until the stroke of half time when Gabriel was sent off for clashing with Diego Costa.
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Chelsea made their man advantage pay in the second half as Kurt Zoma headed them into the lead, before Santi Cazorla picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Arsenal down to nine men. Eden Hazard's deflected late strike sealed the points for the Blues, to pile on the misery for the Gunners.
Hoping to take advantage of Arsenal's poor form are a Spurs side who have enjoyed a good spell in recent weeks. Their season didn't get off to the best of starts though, as they succumbed to a narrow defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
They then endured frustrating draws against Stoke City and Leicester City, after being pegged back in each of those games in the closing stages. A goalless stalemate against Everton followed, as they failed to win any of their first four matches.
However, their fortunes changed at the Stadium of Light, as Ryan Mason's goal edged them to a narrow 1-0 victory over Sunderland to get them off the mark in the Premier League. They took that form into their Europa League match a few days later as they came from behind to earn a 3-1 win against Qarabag.
Son Heung-min scored twice in that European match and he made it three goals in three games for Spurs by grabbing the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace on Sunday. It helped lift them up to ninth in the table and extended their unbeaten run to seven games.
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Tonight's game is the first in a tricky looking spell for Tottenham. They are back in league action with a trip to Manchester City at the weekend, having conceded 10 goals on their last two visits to the Etihad. That is followed by a Europa League clash at Monaco, before league games against Swansea City and Liverpool.
This is a match that Arsenal have dominated over the years and from 1999 to 2008 they put together a 20-game unbeaten run over their close rivals. That sequence of results included a title win for the Gunners at White Hart Lane in 2004, but it was brought to an end as Spurs romped to a 5-1 win in the semi-finals of the League Cup, before going on to beat Chelsea in the final.
They last met in the League Cup five years ago at White Hart Lane, and the match went into extra time after Robbie Keane cancelled out a strike from Henri Lansbury. However, the Gunners cruised to a 4-1 win in the additional 30 minutes, with Samir Nasri scoring twice from the penalty spot and Andrey Arshavin completing the scoring.
The two teams have just made their way out onto the pitch to a rapturous reception at White Hart Lane. Just a quick reminder that this match could go to extra time if it finishes level and we will be covering every minute if it does go all the way.
KICKOFF! We are underway at White Hart Lane!
Spurs have made a positive start to the evening and they are seeing plenty of the ball in their opponents' half. Rose also attempts a spectacular effort from range, but this time his shot is headed clear by Mertesacker before Kane can latch onto it.
It's still the hosts who are looking brighter in the early stages, with Arsenal looking hesitant at the back. The Gunners are almost made to pay when they lose the ball cheaply just outside their own box, but the hosts are unable to profit and the danger is finally cleared.
Eriksen has been a threat for Spurs down the left and the Dane breaks free before standing up a cross for Kane. However, his delivery is hit slightly too long for the England international and the ball drifts harmlessly out of play.
Spurs are still showing more threat and Chadli does well to step past a couple of challenges before driving into the box. He then looks to shift the ball onto his right foot for a shot, but the Gunners get enough men back to stop him in his tracks.
CHANCE! The hosts may have started the game on top, but it's Arsenal who have the first real opening. Ramsey plays a wonderful ball down the line to release Gibbs, and the full-back then whips a cross into the middle. His delivery is missed by Giroud at the front post, but it lands perfectly to an unmarked Campbell, who can only place his header over the bar.
Arsenal have come into the tie now and they are starting to get the ball down and play their passing game. They have also looked a threat down the left, but on their latest attack Oxlade-Chamberlain makes his run slightly too early and is flagged offside.
The match has yet to really spark into life, but there have been a few warning signs for both team's defences. Arsenal have struggled to deal with deep crosses into their box, while Spurs have been caught out down the flanks on a couple of occasions.
We haven't seen either keeper forced into making a save, with the two main strikers unable to have much of an impact on the game so far. Giroud and Kane have both had tough starts to the new season and they will be hoping to return to their best by the end of the evening.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (Mathieu Flamini)
Out of all the players on the pitch, Flamini gives Arsenal the lead in the North London Derby. The midfielder was on hand to fire into the roof of the net from a few yards out, after Vorm could only parry Oxlade-Chamberlain's stinging drive from just outside the box.
The Gunners have a spring in their step after making the breakthrough and they are showing some quality touches in the midfield. It has certainly livened up a bit in recent minutes, which is exactly what the game was crying out for.
CHANCE! Spurs have a big chance to hit back as it opens up for Rose down the left. The full-back is given acres of space and charges into the box, before getting the ball onto his right foot and drilling a low strike inches wide of the near post.
SAVE! Rose is causing plenty of problems for Debuchy and he latches onto a ball over the top to get in behind the Frenchman. The defender then continues his run into the box, but Ospina is quickly off his line to block at his feet and turn the ball behind.
YELLOW CARD! Arteta picks up the first booking of the evening for a late challenge on Townsend.
Arsenal have played some wonderful football at times this evening and another flowing move sees Giroud released down the left. The striker then floats a cross to Campbell at the back post, but Rose gets back to shrug the Costa Rican off the ball, and indeed over the advertising hoardings.
YELLOW CARD! Flamini becomes the second Arsenal midfielder to be shown a card by the referee for a mistimed tackle on Rose.
CHANCE! This is a really good spell for the Gunners who sense that they could grab another goal before the break. Oxlade-Chamberlain shows his threat once again, as he intercepts a loose ball and charges into the box, before teasing an effort across the keeper and just wide of the far post.
YELLOW CARD! The Gunners are racking up the cards in this first half as Debuchy is shown yellow for bringing down Rose just outside the box.
CLOSE! Kane almost has a chance to score the hosts when the ball breaks to him kindly at the back post. He manages to work the ball onto his right foot, but he can't quite get a shot away and lays it off to Eriksen, who sees his low strike bounce around the box, before Chambers hammers it clear from just in front of his own goal.
There will be at least two minutes added on to the end of the first half.
CLOSE! Spurs nearly draw level at the end of the half, as they hit the Gunners on the break with Kane slid through down the left. The striker does not have much support, so tries to fire a low strike into the far corner, but his effort skids a few inches wide of the target.
HALF-TIME: Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal
It's half time at White Hart Lane and Arsenal have a narrow lead in this League Cup third-round tie. A rare goal from Mathieu Flamini is what separates the sides, but this North London derby is far from over for Tottenham.
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Spurs have actually dominated possession in the opening half, seeing 53% of the ball, while they have managed five efforts on goal, with none testing David Ospina. Arsenal, meanwhile, have had six shots, with their two attempts on target both taking place during the opening goal.
Let's take a look at some of the scores from this evening's other League Cup ties. Carlisle United have come from behind against Liverpool to take a 1-1 draw into the break at Anfield, defending champions Chelsea are 2-1 up against Walsall, while a goal from Wayne Rooney has given Manchester United the lead against Ipswich Town.
RESTART! Arsenal take the kick off and get the second half started.
SAVE! Spurs have made a strong start to the second half and Eriksen almost finds the net with a powerful low drive from the edge of the box that looks headed for the bottom corner, until Ospina flies across his line to get a hand to the ball. Kane then follows up and slots the rebound into the net, but he was standing a few yards offside and the goal is rightly disallowed.
Arsenal have looked so vulnerable down their right-hand side all evening and Debuchy is caught out of position once again. It's Rose who gets past him and delivers a low ball into the box, but Chambers gets across to knock it behind for a corner.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal (Calum Chambers own goal)
Tottenham are back on level terms, but it's an unfortunate own goal by Chambers. Chadli must take the credit after being picked out by Trippier at the back post, before drilling a low ball across the six-yard box that Chambers can only divert beyond the helpless Ospina and into the net.
I did mention that the right was proving to be a weak spot for the Gunners and so it proved for the goal. Chadli was given far too much time and space by Debuchy to take the ball down and deliver a cross, but Chambers can hardly be blamed after trying his best to clear with Kane closing in behind him.
The Gunners just haven't got started in this second half and Wenger may be thinking of some changes. I'm sure we will see an appearance from Walcott at some stage, as he has the pace to really trouble the Spurs backline, who are having it all too easy at the moment.
It appears that Spurs are going to make the first substitution of the evening, as Son is getting some instructions on the touchline. The South Korean has enjoyed a fine start to life at the club and a goal against Arsenal would make the fans love him even more.
OFF THE LINE! What a superb goal this would have been from Kane. The striker breaks clear at the back post and is found unmarked from a corner. He then swivels and fires in a powerful volley that is heading into the corner, but Gibbs is across to head the ball off the line and keep Arsenal on level terms.
SUB! Spurs do make the first change of the evening as Son comes on to replace Townsend.
SUB! Arsenal quickly make a change of their own, as Sanchez is brought on to take the place of Campbell.
SHOT! Ramsey hasn't made quite as much of an impact as he did in the first half, but he breaks into space and gets into a shooting position. The Welshman then fires in a low drive, but he just drags the shot slightly and it goes harmlessly wide of the far post.
SAVE! Sanchez almost makes an immediate impact as he latches onto a pass in behind Trippier and cuts back onto his left foot. The Chilean then drills in a low strike, but it is hit straight at Vorm, who comfortably makes the stop.
SAVE! Arsenal are slowly taking control of the match and they create another great chance as Ramsey slips Giroud through on goal. The Frenchman is at a tight angle and tries to slide it past Vorm, but the keeper is quickly off his line to make the block and send the ball out for a corner.
There looks to be no danger when a corner is whipped in from Eriksen and claimed by Ospina, but the keeper almost spills the ball into his own net. Arsenal fans had their hearts in their mouths for a second, but the keeper quickly recovered in time.
PENALTY APPEAL! Sanchez believes that he is fouled inside the box by Wimmer as he tries to attack a cross. He did appear to be having his shirt tugged by the defender, but the referee saw nothing wrong with the challenge and instead waves for a goal kick.
SUB! The hosts make their second change, as Alli comes on for Chadli.
YELLOW CARD! He's only been on for a minute, but Alli goes into the referee's notebook for a late tackle on Mertesacker that leaves the German in a heap.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal (Mathieu Flamini)
What a stunning goal this is from Flamini to give Arsenal the lead for the second time this evening. A cross from Sanchez looped up kindly on the edge of the box, and Flamini arrived out of nowhere to fire a brilliant volley into the corner and beyond the reach of Vorm. Many questioned the midfielder's inclusion in the side this evening, but as things stand his goal is sending the Gunners through.
For so long this game looked like going to extra time, but it will take something special from Spurs to salvage an additional 30 minutes. The hosts are pushing plenty of men forward, but it is leaving gaps in behind, which the Gunners will be hoping to exploit.
CLOSE! Oxlade-Chamberlain almost grabs a third for the Gunners on the break when he is picked out on the edge of the box. He looks to drill a low strike into the corner, but it heads narrowly wide of the far post.
SUB! Spurs make their final change of the match, as N'Jie comes on for Dier.
PENALTY APPEAL! The Gunners have another shout for a penalty and it's Sanchez who is involved again. He tangles with Trippier inside the box and looks to be tripped by the defender, but once more the referee decides against giving a foul.
SHOT! Debuchy has been poor at the back for the Gunners this evening, but he threatens to get on the scoresheet with a fierce attempt from range. His strike is well hit and has plenty of power, but it is straight at the keeper who manages to hold on.
SUB! Walcott is going to come on for the final stages of the game for Arsenal, as Oxlade-Chamberlain heads off with cramp.
There will be at least three minutes of stoppage time added on.
Spurs are on the attack, but they are struggling to find a way through their opponents' defence. The Gunners are winning everything in the air at the moment and they are almost into the fourth round.
CLOSE! Arsenal miss the chance to wrap up the tie as they break quickly with Walcott picking up the ball. He drives to the edge of the box, before firing in a low effort that skips a few inches wide of the target.
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal
The referee blows the final whistle and Arsenal have held on to knockout Spurs and reach the fourth round of the League Cup. A stunning winner from Mathieu Flamini secured the victory at White Hart Lane, as last season's beaten finalists bow out of the competition at the first hurdle this time around.
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That's just about it from our coverage after an absorbing North London derby at White Hart Lane. I'll be bringing you analysis and player ratings from the tie later this evening, so make sure you stick around for that. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
