UpdatedSeptember 15, 2024, 20:02
FootballArsenal dominates Tottenham in the derby, Schär scores spectacular goal
The Gunners narrowly won on the pitch of their London rival (0-1). The Saint-Gallen defender scored a sensational goal with Newcastle.
Gabriel scored the only goal of the London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal on Sunday.
Imago
Arsenal won the fiery North London derby on Tottenham’s pitch (0-1) on Sunday, maintaining their 2nd place in the Premier League just two points behind Manchester City, their main rival and next opponent. A header from Brazilian defender Gabriel, off a corner from Bukayo Saka (64th minute), was enough for the Gunners, who left their neighbors and enemies with their third victory in four matches.
They could not have hoped for a better situation ahead of two new away games, Thursday in Bergamo to face Atalanta in the Champions League, and then next Sunday in Manchester against the four-time defending champions. The Londoners will head to the Etihad with ten points in hand, two fewer than Pep Guardiola’s team, and one more than Liverpool, the other podium occupant, who lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Tottenham, on the other hand, is 13th with just one win in four matches.
High-stakes derby
Arsenal’s victory on Sunday holds special significance for Mikel Arteta, the recently extended coach, who was without two key players at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: captain Martin Odegaard, injured, and defensive midfielder Declan Rice, suspended. In their absence, the Spaniard deployed Leandro Trossard and Jorginho in midfield, which somewhat diminished the usual solidity and creativity of that area of play.
Arsenal occasionally struggled to contain Tottenham’s repeated incursions but could count on the Spurs’ lack of precision and good fortune, a recurring issue for Ange Postecoglou’s players. Early in the match, for example, Dejan Kulusevski could have done better with a pull-back cross from Heung-Min Son (5th), as could Dominic Solanke with a header that fell just beside David Raya’s goal (28th).
The spectacle also suffered at times due to repeated fouls that ignited an already heated derby, surrounded by a heavy police presence outside the stadium. Referee Jarred Gillett handed out yellow cards generously in the first half (seven warnings) and worked to calm moments of tension, notably after Jürrien Timber’s challenge on Pedro Porro that sparked outcry from the fans and players (35th).
Saka, provider and injured
Spurred on by their supporters, Tottenham laid siege to the opponent’s defense until the last moments, unable to breach the barrier erected by William Saliba and his teammates. The Frenchman had a high-level duel with Solanke, preventing him from scoring very early (14th), but it was his central defensive partner who shone with the winning goal.
Gabriel rose above the melee to head in a corner from Saka (64th, 1-0), marking his fourth assist in as many league matches this season.
The England international left the pitch injured late in the match, the only dark spot in the Gunners’ afternoon.
Raheem Sterling, a winger loaned from Chelsea, was thrown into the fray in the 80th minute for his first appearance in an Arsenal jersey.
Schär, a triumphant return
In the other match of the day, Newcastle (3rd, 10 points) maintained its unbeaten status with a stunning victory (2-1) against Wolverhampton (18th, 1 point). The Magpies, trailing after a goal from Mario Lemina (36th, 0-1), came back to defeat their hosts with cannon shots from Fabian Schär (75th, 1-1) and Harvey Barnes (80th, 2-1).
The Saint-Gallen defender, suspended for the last two matches after receiving a red card on the opening day, made a successful return to competition. He scored a goal typical of him, a long-range powerful shot that found the top corner.
(afp/Sport-Center)