Djed Spence and Bukayo Saka clash in post-foul exchange to light up the North London Derby

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Tottenham defender Djed Spence had some strong words for Bukayo Saka after the pair clashed early in the North London Derby.

Arsenal weren’t fazed by the electric atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Mikel Arteta’s side took total control early in the contest. 

The Gunners had several good chances to score, with the majority of their threat coming from Viktor Gyokeres.

While the striker dominated down the left, over on the right, Saka had a busy start to the game, making himself a real nuisance for Spurs’ defence, particularly Spence.

• READ MORE: Bukayo Saka sent Tony Adams’ ‘can’t lose’ to Tottenham message to Declan Rice

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What Djed Spence said to Bukayo Saka during North London Derby clash

Saka’s biggest involvement in the first half was setting up Eberechi Eze’s match-opener.

There were signs that the 24-year-old was going to punish Tottenham, as before claiming the assist, he was fouled multiple times by the opposition.

One challenge enraged Spence, who shouldered Saka off the ball, which was deemed to be a foul by referee Peter Bankes, to the Spurs defender’s disbelief.

Spence had some strong words for Bankes and for Saka, as BBC journalist Alex Howell reported from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Howell noted that ‘some words were exchanged’ between the two players, adding that Spence waved to Saka, telling him to ‘get up’.

The exchange encapsulated the ferocious start in the North London Derby between the two rivals, in what was an incredibly lively game from the kick-off.

Saka caused Tottenham a lot of problems in the first half

After Saka signed his new Arsenal contract days before the derby, there was always a feeling that the winger would step up against Spurs, and he did just that.

Aside from setting up Eze’s goal, Tottenham couldn’t live with Arsenal’s number seven, as was clear through the three fouls Spurs committed on Saka in the first half.

The Englishman made it seven goal contributions in his last five appearances against Tottenham in the Premier League, being a player that Arsenal’s rivals just can’t contain.