Despite the many absences, the Gunners win the North London derby with a goal from Gabriel. A good omen for the Champions League challenge against Atalanta on Thursday in Bergamo, although they risk having also lost their winger.
A header and Arsenal bounces back. They send a message to the Premier League, showing they can win despite their troubles in a match with a strong emotional charge like the North London derby against Tottenham. And also to Atalanta, who await the Gunners on Thursday in Bergamo for the Champions League debut: Arteta will also be in emergency mode, with the infirmary full, including Riccardo Calafiori and perhaps also Bukayo Saka, the star who came out battered from Tottenham Stadium. But as truly great teams know how to do, theirs showed they can win even in difficult moments. Against Tottenham, the difference was made by Gabriel, the Brazilian defender with an easy goal who jumped higher than everyone else at Saka’s corner in the 64th minute. It is fitting that the 1-0 that brings the Gunners to 10 points in the standings, two less than table-toppers City (and next Sunday’s opponents), was signed by a defender: the backline was the cornerstone of Arsenal’s victory.
The keys
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Gabriel and William Saliba, the central defensive duo, were the best players on the field in a team that changed shape due to the midfield emergency: absent Martin Ødegaard (out also in Bergamo) and the suspended Declan Rice, in came Jorginho (the captain finished with cramps) and the team restructured into a solid 4-4-2 that will likely be repeated against Atalanta. Tottenham’s offensive (and unproductive) play forced both Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to defend on the flanks, leaving Kai Havertz and Leo Trossard (great link-up play with the midfield, much less so under the net) as the offensive references. Arsenal let Tottenham play, allowing the home team long and fruitless ball possessions, but the ever-watchful Raya rarely faced risks, also because in front of him were two nearly impenetrable pillars. The inaccuracy of the Spurs, where new striker Dominik Solanke (the most expensive of the English summer) is still finding his footing, did the rest. The victory is deserved, and in the derby it counts double: because it helps to maintain the pressure on the Premier League, because it launches in the best way both the start of the Champions League adventure and the direct clash next Sunday at Manchester City. For Tottenham, however, this defeat hurts: it is the second in a row, following a familiar script this year in which Postecoglou’s team plays well but rarely converts all the play they produce. Guglielmo Vicario in goal makes even impossible saves but struggles with corners; Destiny Udogie at left back defended well against Saka but did not provide his usual offensive contribution. Four points in four matches is much fewer than the Spurs had anticipated.
The match
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A lively first half but without goals (and rough, with 7 yellow cards), with Tottenham holding possession and constructing in open play while Arsenal created the biggest threats from corners. The second half resumed without changes, with the Spurs gradually taking control of the game but by the 64th minute found themselves behind, punished by Gabriel’s header. Arsenal managed without too much trouble and secured this crucial victory. As important, for a team already in emergency, would be that the injury that forced Saka out late on is not serious.