A set piece made the difference in the latest north London derby, where Gabriel Magalhaes was the hero and Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners over hosts Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Arsenal boxed in Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario and Gabriel thudded home his header from close range, giving the Gunners a second-half advantage they had little trouble protecting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Arsenal were without Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Riccardo Calafiori but a veteran midfield of Thomas Partey and Jorginho made for tough road for Tottenham.
The Gunners move back into second place on the Premier League table with 10 points, two back of leaders Man City, while Spurs stay 13th with four points.
Our own Joe Prince-Wright was on hand in north London, where Spurs threatened too little to get a home win.
Short-handed Arteta outfoxes Ange
Mikel Arteta continues to find ways to flex his managerial acumen, and this time he got a little help from his rival.
Ange Postecoglou was without Yves Bissouma stuck to his ideals and deployed a midfield three of Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Sarr, and James Maddison, bidding to dice up Arsenal’s shorthanded veteran defensive midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
What happened instead was near-complete Arsenal control of the midfield, as the veterans worked a treat. Arteta wasn’t perfect, either, as Leandro Trossard struggled atop the midfield, but Kai Havertz helped out and eventually settled in for more size and control
Arteta also can beam at his set-piece breakthrough, as Guglielmo Vicario’s reputed struggles with crosses saw him boxed-in from reaching a corner kick that Gabriel thudded home. Postecoglou’s men neither showcased their best form nor their passion in the loss.
Tottenham vs Arsenal player ratings from north London derby
(from Fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Arsenal player ratings (from Fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Arsenal player ratings (from Fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Tottenham go to Coventry City in the League Cup at 3pm ET Wednesday, then host Brentford at 10am Saturday in the Premier League.
Arsenal visit Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday before a massive visit to Manchester City at 11:30am Sunday.
How to watch Tottenham vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (September 15)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Tottenham vs Arsenal final score: 0-1
Gabriel 64'
Tottenham vs Arsenal live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Ange Postecoglou reaction
“We lost concentration for a moment. We dealt with set pieces well until that point. They have some big guys who love to attack the ball. We switched off for a second and paid the price.”
“For the most part we controlled the game today. We had good territory, good possession, didn’t make the most of it.”
Mikel Arteta reaction
“The resilience that we showed... We knew it was going to be a really tough match. It is always here with a great and unbelievable atmosphere. We knew we were a big threat from set plays. We believed we could hurt them and we have done that.”
“We want to play a different game without the ball but they play a structure that is extremely difficult to match up.”
On his big leaping celebration after Gabriel scored: “Just happiness. This is why we are here, to score goals and win matches.”
Spurs pepper Raya from distance
Tottenham have effectively quit trying to get into the Arsenal box through combination play, so it’s a bunch of attempts from distance and huge crosses.
David Raya’s been on the former, while Arsenal backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have had little problem controlling the latter.
Raheem Sterling debut
Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus enter the fray. Sterling now has officially played for four of the Premier League’s “Big Six.”
Off go Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
Spurs make a switch, too, as Timo Werner is on for James Maddison.
Gabriel heads home! - Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal
Gabriel heads home from a corner! He powers past Romero, with help of a slight nudge, and hammers home. After all of that Tottenham pressure, Arsenal lead. The away fans go bonkers. What a massive moment for Arsenal.
Tottenham continue to make Arsenal panic
Spurs have had over 60 percent possession and they are making Arsenal so nervous on the ball with their pressing. Plenty of rushed passes from Arsenal.
Romero with a brilliant tackle to deny Timber
Cristian Romero first intercepts the ball well, then lunges in to stop Timber whipping in a cross. He goes down with a knock but is back up on his feet. Tottenham’s fans loved that.
Good start to the second half from Spurs
Maddison whips in a cross from a short corner and Van de Ven gets his effort on target but can’t generate enough power on his flick.
Half time: Tottenham 0-0 Arsenal
Seven yellow cards dished out in a fiery first half, as both teams have had big chances but Raya and Vicario have made decent stops and the final pass has just been off. This is perfectly poised for the second half. Tottenham will be very happy with that.
🚨 That was a fun first half! Big chances for Spurs and Arsenal through Solanke and Martinelli. Spurs will be the happier team.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) September 15, 2024
WATCH LIVE + analysis, reaction, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/M30SHOavSm
Half time thoughts on Tottenham v Arsenal ⤵️ #THFC #AFC #TOTARS pic.twitter.com/tG5IIx6ZFt
Johnson smashes over as Spurs scrap away
Tottenham scrap away to win the ball back in midfield, once again, but Brennan Johnson smashes his shot over the bar. That sequence pretty much sums up the first half. Scrappy and tense.
Scuffle breaks out as Timber, Vicario booked
First scuffle of the north London derby breaks out as Timber catches Porro and is booked. Vicario is then booked for his reaction towards Timber as it all boiled over by the goal and players from both teams jumped in. Getting a bit tasty. The temperature inside this stadium is cranked up a few notches just before half time.
Solanke so close!
Dominic Solanke’s looping header drops just wide of the post. David Raya chucked himself at that and thought it was in. Brilliant cross from Maddison to pick out Solanke. Tottenham swarming over Arsenal whenever they can. Saliba is doing his best to hold things together for the Gunners.
Very back and forth now with no real control
Spurs have dominated possession but nobody really has control of this game. It’s very frantic and end-to-end, with Arsenal obviously missing the duo of Rice and Odegaard in midfield to calm things down and dictate the tempo.
Good stop from Vicario, then Martinelli wastes a big chance
Big stop from Vicario to deny Havertz, as the ball bounces up and then hits Romero’s arm and then Vicario saves. It was very close to Romero’s body. Martinelli is then played in down the left and cuts inside but hits a tame effort straight at Vicario.
Oh, Dominic Solanke lets Arsenal off the hook
Oh wow. Ben White and Arsenal really got away with one there. They’re knocking it around at the back nicely but Son intercepts it and Spurs have it on the edge of Arsenal’s box. However, Solanke takes too much time on the ball and Saliba wins it back.
Save from Raya!
That is a good save from David Raya. After his corner is half cleared, Kulusevski whips in a lovely cross which just misses Porro and Raya claws it away. Tottenham have started well.
First big chance falls to Spurs
Solanke does well to drive down the left and Son’s cutback is steered towards goal by Kulusevski but Raya saves.
We are off and running!
This atmosphere is something else. Nothing quite like early-season optimism to crank things up a few notches, as both teams will fancy their chances of winning this. That should lead to a beauty of a game. Listen to the noise inside this place.
🔥🚨 Tottenham vs Arsenal, it is #NorthLondonDerby time!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) September 15, 2024
WATCH LIVE + analysis, videos, reaction & more ➡️ https://t.co/M30SHOavSm
Score prediction + my thoughts on #THFC v #AFC ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/0HLkJT5WNW
Perfect day for a derby with tension in the air
There is a real sense of nervousness in the air here in Tottenham. The home fans feel like they have a chance of winning this one given Arsenal’s absentees, but it will still be a really big ask for Spurs. They’re going to go for it from the start which should make for an extremely entertaining game. The atmosphere is really picking up now. Just a few minutes until kick off.
😍Perfect day for a huge #NorthLondonDerby
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) September 15, 2024
Watch live + analysis, videos & more ⤵️ https://t.co/M30SHOavSm #THFC #AFC #TOTARS pic.twitter.com/azbyodF32L
Team news is out!
Welcome to sunny north London for a massive derby! The team news is here and Tottenham have named a very attacking lineup with Bentancur the only real midfielder and all of Maddison, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son and Solanke starting. There is a very strong bench for Spurs with Werner, Dragusin, Gray, Bergvall, Sarr and Odebert all in the squad.
As expected Arsenal are without captain Martin Odegaard through injury, with Jorginho coming in and Gabriel Martinelli coming in for the suspended Declan Rice. That means Trossard will move to a central role, Jorginho starting alongside Partey in midfield and Martinelli starts on the left. There are a host of youngsters on the bench for Arsenal given their injury issues, with Kabia, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri and Edford Heaven all in the squad. I can confirm Kacurri is an absolute unit as he warms up with the other subs, including Raheem Sterling, in front of me here at the stadium.
Tottenham lineup
Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Arsenal lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Jorginho; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz
Tottenham focus, team news
If all four players who are battling with injury are fit, this is a massive opportunity for Tottenham. Solanke gives them a focal point up top and seems like a great fit for their system and we all know about the importance of Van de Ven as his pace at the back allows Spurs to play their ridiculously high defensive line. Bissouma alongside Sarr in midfield is perfect for the hustle and bustle of the north London derby and Postecoglou will be feeling like this is the perfect time for his side to make a statement early in the season as they aim to finish in the top four. Spurs have created so many chances during their opening three games but haven’t taken them as they slipped up against Leicester and Newcastle. They have to be clinical this Sunday against a usually stingy Arsenal.
OUT: Yves Bissouma (other), Richarlison (other)
Arsenal focus, team news
With Rice definitely out and Odegaard seeming to be very likely out, the big selection dilemma is who will start in central midfield. It seems like Thomas Partey and Jorginho will get the nod, with perhaps Leandro Trossard dropping into a central No. 10 role behind Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli starting on the left wing. Or of course new signing Raheem Sterling could make his debut and become an instant hero. Those switches would provide the least disruption to the team. Jurrien Timber could also start alongside Partey and Jorginho could start higher with Trossard starting out on the left. Even with their injury issues, Arsenal still have a deep squad and it will be stretched to its limits over the next week with big trips to Tottenham, Atalanta and Man City coming up.
OUT: Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Kieran Tierney (thigh), Martin Odegaard (ankle), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Declan Rice (suspension), Riccardo Calafiori (calf)
Tottenham vs Arsenal preview
Spurs have picked up four points from their first three games, as Ange Postecoglou’s side are struggling with their clinical edge and they cost them in a draw at Leicester and a defeat at Newcastle so far this season. Heung-min Son continues to be their main man but the likes of James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner really need to step up, while Dominic Solanke’s injury has hampered his start to life at Spurs. Influential center back Micky van de Ven is also battling to be fit, while Postecoglou will be hoping Spurs are ruthless and clinical and can make the most of Arsenal being banged up.
Arsenal have plenty of injuries and absentees to worry about ahead of this huge game, with captain Martin Odegaard suffering an ankle injury during the international break and he could miss their Champions League opener against Atalanta and their trip to Manchester City next Sunday (September 22) too. Declan Rice is missing through suspension and new signing Mikel Merino is out with a shoulder injury, while fellow new addition Riccardo Calafiori is also battling to be fit after picking up a knock during the international break. Arsenal have seven points on the board from nine to start the season but lost their focus in their wild draw against Brighton before the break. They have to keep their cool in the cauldron of a NLD this weekend.