The right-hand side of their back four, where Michael Dawson was stationed just inside Stephen Kelly, was particularly vulnerable. As if life was not hard enough for Kelly as he attempted to shackle Pires, Reyes kept drifting out to his flank. And just when he was getting to grips with both of them, Ashley Cole would come charging forward on the overlap.
Although Sean Davis and Simon Davies were responsible for the loss of possession farther up the field when Arsenal took the lead in the 22nd minute, it was almost inevitable that the goal would come with a burst through this one-way channel. Francesc Fàbregas had come inside and his pass sent Reyes galloping clear. On his stronger foot this time, the finish was crisp and emphatic. "He missed that early chance but he was a different animal after the goal, " Wenger said. "He was a real threat."
Jermain Defoe and Frédéric Kanouté were enjoying a few victories in their contest with Kolo Touré and Philippe Senderos but elsewhere their team-mates were being outclassed. Andy Reid was particularly anonymous as he waddled about on the left.
Martin Jol, the Tottenham head coach, attempted to stem the tide sweeping over his team’s right flank by switching Ledley King and Dawson at half-time. Spurs were quicker in the tackle all over the pitch, but their chances of an equaliser continued to look slim when, given the chance to hit a dangerous free kick into the box, Reid struck it deep into the Clock End. Defoe was equally wayward with a shot from outside the area.