Gabriel’s second-half header earned Arsenal a crucial 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in a feisty north London derby on Sunday to keep pace with early Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Spurs started sharper, and David Raya was forced into early saves before Arsenal fought their way into the contest, although Jurrien Timber was perhaps fortunate to avoid a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half.
The game was breathless but low on quality in front of goal until Arsenal punished Spurs from a corner, Gabriel escaping from Cristian Romero and powering a header past Guglielmo Vicario from close range in the 64th minute.
Arsenal withstood some late pressure from Spurs to secure the win, which puts them on 10 points, two behind champions City ahead of their trip to the Etihad next Sunday, while Spurs have four points from four games.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have had a mixed start to the season, with one loss, one draw and one win
The Gunners were held to a draw against Brighton in their last game, after two promising opening wins
Mikel Arteta is the first of the managers to speak to Sky, and he says that he was impressed with the resilience his team showed today.
“We knew it would be a tough match and that made it easier. They create an unbelievable atmosphere. We should have done more in the first half, but we knew we were a bit threat on set plays and we knew we could hurt them.
“We weren’t our best with the ball today, we did a lot of simple things wrong that didn’t allow us to have that continuity. They jump and press every single ball which makes it difficult. The way we defended was so strong,” he adds.
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“We want to play a different game, especially without the ball in different areas of the pitch, but they have a difficult structure to match up against. We were exposed.
“It’s a real compliment to the team. Any player in any area of the pitch is ready to do what a lot of people call ‘the ugly things’. Then you start to be a complete team to win in any context.
“I’m delighted, because the team over a season has to go over a lot of hurdles. It was difficult because we have lost a lot of important players for us. Those who waited for the chance trained and behaved in the right manner. This is the result.”
Since the start of the 2023/24 season, Arsenal have scored more goals from set pieces) than any other team in the Premier League – 23, excluding penalties.
Of the sides involved in both last season and the 2024/25 campaigns, only Nottingham Forest have conceded more set piece goals (23) than Spurs have – Postecoglou’s side have conceded 18, excluding penalties.
“It means a lot, I’m so proud of the team. When I had difficult times in the game, we scored with a corner,” he adds.
Jorginho adds that Arsenal “had to work hard”.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game, we know we can count on each other.
“I’m so happy that we won.
“Now we have this situation, missing key players, but we know that whoever comes on is ready to help the team, as you saw today. We are really proud of the team.”
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