Arsenal emerged victorious in a thrilling north London derby as Gabriel Magalhaes’ second-half header sealed a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Despite missing two key players, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal proved their resilience to maintain dominance over their bitter rivals.
The Gunners came into the game with notable absences. Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain, was sidelined due to an ankle injury he sustained while on international duty with Norway.
Declan Rice was also unavailable, serving a suspension following his red card in Arsenal’s previous match against Brighton. These losses made Arsenal appear vulnerable ahead of their heated clash with Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta’s team, however, rose to the occasion. The Premier League title contenders showed grit and determination in a tough encounter that saw Tottenham failing to capitalize on their chances.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham squad, despite dominating in the early stages, were unable to find the back of the net, which has been a recurring issue for them this season.
Tottenham’s profligacy was evident throughout the match. Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min were at the heart of the early pressure, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya produced key saves to deny Tottenham’s forwards.
William Saliba also played a crucial role, making a vital last-ditch tackle to prevent Dominic Solanke from scoring inside the penalty area.
As the first half continued, Arsenal gained momentum. Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli, filling in for Rice and Odegaard, stepped up to the challenge.
Martinelli’s curling effort and a powerful header from Kai Havertz were brilliantly saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, keeping the scoreline level going into the break.
The match was not without its heated moments. Aggressive challenges flew in from both sides, with tensions reaching a boiling point after a tackle by Jurrien Timber on Tottenham’s Pedro Porro. The scuffle resulted in multiple bookings, reflecting the intensity of the derby.
In the second half, Tottenham continued to press but lacked the cutting edge to break through Arsenal’s defense. Arsenal, meanwhile, demonstrated their strength in set-pieces. With 23 set-piece goals since last season, Arsenal once again showcased their expertise.
In the 64th minute, Bukayo Saka delivered a perfectly placed corner, and Gabriel Magalhaes took advantage of some loose marking to head the ball past Vicario, securing the win for Arsenal.
Tottenham pushed hard in the closing stages of the game, but their efforts were in vain as they failed to convert their chances.
Kulusevski’s late attempt went just over the bar, sealing Tottenham’s fate. This defeat leaves Tottenham with only one win from their last four matches, raising concerns for Postecoglou as they continue to struggle.
The win puts Arsenal in second place, just two points behind Manchester City, as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League match against Atalanta. Arsenal’s performance in the derby showed their ability to adapt and fight despite missing key players, boosting their hopes for a Premier League title challenge this season.
Arteta praised his team’s spirit and hunger after the match, saying, “We needed resilience and depth, and the boys delivered.” Arsenal’s victory not only extends their unbeaten start to the league but also solidifies their dominance over Tottenham in recent years.
