Arsenal show strength in north London EPL derby win at Tottenham

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was thrilled with his side showing their mettle as English Premier League title challengers, as Gabriel Magalhaes headed in the only goal of a 1-0 win at rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sept 15.

The Gunners shrugged off the absence of key midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to remain undefeated this season and close within two points of leaders Manchester City – the only team with a perfect four victories.

“After the international break, we had a few blows. How the team reacted was magnificent. It showed a lot of maturity from the team,” said Arteta.

“When they get into the final third, it’s very difficult because they have a structure. We were missing vital players and we had to react to that. We had to adjust and use different players and qualities.

“And when we have to defend in deeper areas, we did it really well. There are things to improve but we have another victory here and it’s huge.

“I know how our supporters will feel about this, so enjoy it.”

Arteta’s side were without skipper Odegaard due to an ankle injury suffered on Norway duty, while Rice served a suspension for his red card against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Losing two such influential players appeared to make Arsenal vulnerable on their trip up the Seven Sisters Road to face their bitter north London rivals.

But the Premier League title contenders dug deep with a combative display, benefiting from Tottenham’s latest display of wasteful finishing before Gabriel bagged the winner in the second half.

The Brazilian defender’s first goal since February made it three wins from four league games for unbeaten Arsenal as they chase a first title since 2004 after two successive runners-up finishes.

Arsenal have now won on their last three visits to Tottenham, losing just once, in May 2022, in their last eight meetings with their hated neighbours.

The Gunners will turn their attention to their Champions League opener at Atalanta on Sept 19 before travelling to face Pep Guardiola’s City on Sept 22.

The 196th north London derby showed Arsenal have steel and spirit aplenty for what is to come, but they also needed a dose of good fortune as Tottenham let them off the hook in the first half.

Failing to turn dominant spells into goals has been a familiar story for Spurs this season and once again Ange Postecoglou’s men were let down by their lack of cutting edge.

Tottenham’s second successive defeat leaves them with only one win from four games in a worrying start to the season for Postecoglou, after their late swoon last term cost them a top-four place.

Spurs’ profligacy gave Arsenal encouragement and amid a flurry of aggressive challenges, the simmering derby tension boiled over after Jurrien Timber’s tackle on Pedro Porro left the Tottenham right-back writhing on the turf.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario confronted the Arsenal defender, with both players receiving yellow.

By the time Dejan Kulusevski crudely up-ended Jorginho on the stroke of half-time, seven players had been booked in a fractious clash, including five from the home side.

Toothless Tottenham were then hit with a brutal sucker punch in the 64th minute.

With 23 goals from set-pieces since the start of last season, Arsenal have become dead-ball specialists and this was another expertly worked routine.

Bukayo Saka’s in-swinging corner arrowed towards Gabriel, who got away with a push on Cristian Romero before powering his header past Vicario.

Tottenham put pressure on Arsenal in the closing stages, but could not find a way through.

“I thought it was a tight game all the way along. We controlled it for the most part and got off to a good start. We didn’t capitalise on the opportunities and we were unable to get on top of them,” said Postecoglou.

“We lost concentration (for the goal)... we just switched off for a second. For the most part we controlled the game today, had good territory and possession but we didn’t make the most of it and we got punished.” AFP