Antonin Kinsky brought back down to earth by Arsenal in North London Derby days after setting 101-year Tottenham record

ANTONIN KINSKY was at risk of making English football look easy.

After all, the relative unknown from the Czech Republic had become the first Tottenham goalkeeper in 101 years to earn clean sheets in his first two games for the club.

5 Antonin Kinsky saw his fortunes dip in the derby Credit: Alamy

5 Kinsky had a couple of wobbly moments at Arsenal Credit: PA

He had been only the second stopper to prevent Liverpool from scoring this term - then successfully repelled Tamworth’s aerial bombardment.

But a whirlwind first week showed the 21-year-old IS fallible after two rocky moments that helped Arsenal fight back for a thrilling 2-1 North London derby win.

First Kinsky became the latest goalie to fall victim to Nicolas Jover’s set-piece specials, with Declan Rice’s corner sailing over his head, allowing Gabriel to head in off Dominic Solanke.

Then the £12.5million capture from Slavia Prague failed to keep out a well-struck, but savable, shot from former Spurs target Leandro Trossard just before the break.

Calling them gaffes would be a bit harsh - particularly given the unrelenting pressure Arsenal put Kinsky under.

But they did blot an otherwise unblemished copybook since arriving 11 days ago to solve Ange Postecoglou’s goalkeeping crisis.

Spurs accelerated their plans to bring in a new stopper by a window after Fraser Forster struggled to play out from the back like Postecoglou demands.

That followed No1 Guglielmo Vicario fracturing his ankle in November’s 4-0 win at Manchester City, with the Italian not expected back until late February.

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5 The Czech ace was initially on a high after Spurs took the lead Credit: Getty

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Kinsky was the man they plumped for, having been identified by technical director Johan Lange, and chairman Daniel Levy spending two days in Prague from New Year’s Day to conclude a deal.

The son of a former Czech Republic international - also called Antonin Kinsky - the youngster had helped Slavia go seven points clear.

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He was already being compared to Petr Cech for his concentration and hailed as excellent with his ambidextrous feet.

Postecoglou threw him straight in against Liverpool in last week’s Carabao Cup, where he was excellent and even did a keepy-uppy over Diogo Jota’s head early on.

His save from Darwin Nunez in stoppage time meant Arne Slot’s side - who had won 6-3 at Spurs 17 days earlier - failed to score in only the second game this season.

Kinksy then was given a completely different challenge on National League Tamworth’s plastic pitch.

And while Spurs laboured - requiring extra-time to win 3-0 - Kinsky nullified the minnows’ high-ball threat impressively.

The two shut-outs saw him match the feat managed by Spurs stopper Freddy Hinton way back in 1924.

On Friday, Postecoglou praised Kinksy for how his presence in the box had given “confidence” to the defence around him.

For much of last night, that was the case as Kinsky punched, clawed and claimed at the set-piece deliveries that came his way.

But crucially, he got nowhere near Rice’s in-swinger for Arsenal’s leveller, which chalked off Son Heung-min’s controlled volley, with five minutes to the break.

He will know he could have done better with Trossard’s drive four minutes later.

It did not dent the young man’s belief though - as proven by a gutsy backheel when under pressure after the break.

Spurs games under Postecoglou are always great fun to watch, even more so now with their new man between the sticks.

Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham By Dan King ARSENAL came from behind to defeat Tottenham 2-1 in the North London derby. Son Heung-Min had given the visitors the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play. But as they have done so often, the Gunners scored from a corner as Gabriel Magalhaes' header was bundled in as an own goal by Dominic Solanke. Leandro Trossard then put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time with an fine finish. Here's how the players rated... David Raya - 6

Spectator until kept out Kulusevski shot midway through first half, then beaten by deflection for Son goal. Didn’t make a save in second half. Jurrien Timber - 6

Solid enough defensively to keep Son Heung-Min mostly quiet but less sure of himself going forward, wasting good chances to cross. William Saliba - 6

Untroubled until Son’s shot went in off him. Started second half hesitantly but kept his concentration to minimise Tottenham openings. Gabriel Magalhaes - 8

Brilliant interception to deny Solanke then decisive at other end to force equaliser. Excellent against Solanke twice more in calm and steadfast second half. Myles Lewis-Skelly - 8

Fine pass to play in Sterling set tone for excellent, mature, all-round display from second youngest Arsenal player to start a North London derby. Thomas Partey - 7

Strong presence who won the ball back well, not least ahead of Arsenal’s second goal. But sometimes looked vulnerable to Spurs’ pace on break. Declan Rice - 7

Covered lots of ground and finally found a good set-piece delivery to create equaliser. Still not quite at his best, but much closer. Raheem Sterling - 5

Saw plenty of ball, but with little end product, including golden chances at start of both halves. Curiously reluctant to take on his man. Deservedly hooked. Martin Odegaard - 6

Prompted and probed without finding killer pass but released Trossard for second goal. Missed chance to make it 3-1, fewer signs of return to form than Rice. Leandro Trossard - 6

Frustrated home fans with lack of killer instinct and poor decisions until he fired Arsenal in front. Did little after break to merit staying on for so long. Kai Havertz - 4

Barely involved first half apart from nicking ball off Spurs keeper Kinsky. Headed wide from close range early in second. Nothing coming off for him. SUBS Gabriel Martinelli (for Sterling, 61) - 5

Slow to get up to speed and contributed little apart from one penetrating run into the box and a blocked shot. Kieran Tierney (for Trossard, 77) - 6

Brought on to shore things up and did it well enough. Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Lewis-Skelly, 87) - 6

Useful legs for dying minutes, almost created chance. Mikel Merino (for Rice, 87) - 6

Good booking to stop Solanke getting away in stoppage time.

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