Gabriel Magalhaes' second-half header secured a vital 1-0 victory for Arsenal over Tottenham Hotspur in a fiercely contested north London derby on Sunday, allowing them to stay in touch with early Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Spurs began the match with more intensity, forcing David Raya into early saves. He initially blocked Dejan Kulusevski's first-time shot and then clawed away a dangerous cross from the Swedish winger. Record signing Dominic Solanke, making his home debut, missed a golden opportunity in the 14th minute after Arsenal lost possession deep in their own half, taking too long on the ball and allowing William Saliba to recover.
Arsenal were without their captain Martin Odegaard due to injury and Declan Rice due to suspension, but they showed impressive resilience despite a weakened midfield. "It was difficult because we have lost a lot of important players for us," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports. "Those who waited for the chance trained and behaved in the right manner. This is the result."
The Gunners gradually found their footing in the match, with Guglielmo Vicario tested by a Kai Havertz header. Gabriel Martinelli was then brilliantly set up by Leandro Trossard but scuffed his shot with Bukayo Saka waiting centrally. Jurrien Timber was fortunate to avoid a straight red card in the first half for a reckless challenge on Pedro Porro as he tried to retain possession. His studs landed on Porro's ankle, but referee Jarred Gillett deemed the incident was not serious foul play, and VAR declined to intervene, much to the Spurs fans' frustration.
The second half mirrored the first, with the hosts initially dominating as Micky van de Ven tested Raya with a glancing header, before Arsenal regained control of the game. The match had been intense but low on goal-scoring opportunities until Arsenal capitalized on a corner, reminiscent of their 3-2 away win in April last season. Gabriel escaped far too easily from Cristian Romero, who pleaded for a foul in vain, and powered a header past Vicario from close range in the 64th minute.
Arsenal managed to withstand some late pressure from Spurs, who created few genuine chances and resorted to shooting from distance as the Gunners were content with their one-goal lead. The win, their third consecutive victory away to their bitter rivals, puts Arsenal on 10 points from four games, two behind champions Manchester City ahead of their trip to the Etihad next Sunday. Arsenal first play Atalanta away in the Champions League on Thursday and will hope Saka, who was substituted late on, can recover in time to play a part. "I don't know exactly what it is but he could not continue," Arteta told reporters.
Spurs, left to rue missed chances once again, have four points from four games, their worst return after four matches since the 2015/16 season. Their head coach Ange Postecoglou told reporters: "I still think we had some good opportunities but we could've had so many more." "We just wasted some of our good play, similar to the other games where we just haven't really had that conviction in the front third." Postecoglou, who has previously been dismissive of concerns about Spurs' defending at set pieces, said his side were punished for a momentary lapse. "I thought we handled them well ... but it only takes one," he said.
