LATEST NEWS: “Honestly, I’m disappointed with his actions yesterday. If Gabriel Magalhaes hadn’t stepped in to save the day, things could have been a disaster for us,” Bukayo Saka shares, pointing out the one Arsenal player who failed the team today – and it’s neither Trossard nor Jorginho.
Arsenal claimed a hard-earned 1-0 win over Tottenham in a highly awaited North London Derby. The Gunners began the game sluggishly, largely due to the absence of key players Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice, which was evident in their lack of control in midfield. Sensing this weakness, Tottenham created numerous opportunities through Dejan Kulusevski, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke. However, Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya was in top form, making several vital saves to keep the match level.
With their usual midfield dominance missing, Arsenal turned to quick counter-attacks, coming close to scoring through Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. The match was intense and physical, with seven yellow cards issued in the first half, reflecting the high stakes and fierce rivalry on display.
As the second half wore on, the game remained finely balanced. Arsenal eventually broke through when Bukayo Saka delivered a pinpoint corner, allowing Gabriel Magalhães to rise above the defense and head the ball home, giving Arsenal the lead in what had been a very tightly contested affair.
David Raya, celebrating his 29th birthday, played a crucial role in Arsenal’s win. He made several early saves to keep the score at 0-0, demonstrating great focus as Tottenham launched wave after wave of attacks. His performance validated his selection, further proving his importance to the team.
Ben White, on the other hand, had a tough day. Faced with Tottenham’s star forward Son Heung-min, White struggled in one-on-one situations, frequently being outpaced and making some sloppy mistakes in possession. His performance was below the high standards Arsenal fans have come to expect from him.
William Saliba encountered some challenges while defending against Dominic Solanke but, overall, delivered a strong defensive display. Saliba remained composed with the ball at his feet and contributed to Arsenal’s efforts to keep possession.
Gabriel Magalhães stood out as one of the game’s top performers. In addition to his match-winning goal, he made several crucial blocks during periods of Tottenham pressure and excelled in his defensive duties. His timely run into the box for Saka’s corner capped off an outstanding performance.
Jurrien Timber exhibited great determination throughout the game. Though there were moments early on when it seemed he might get sent off, Timber kept his cool and maintained his aggressive, disciplined play. He effectively shut down Tottenham’s Johnson, preventing him from gaining any real advantage.
Thomas Partey put in a steady shift in midfield, especially in his distribution from deep. However, without the presence of Declan Rice, Partey’s limited mobility became more apparent, making it harder for Arsenal to control the game in the middle of the pitch.
Jorginho, who stepped in for Rice, struggled at times. Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski easily bypassed him on several occasions, and Jorginho’s lack of speed and physicality was noticeable, particularly when pressing higher up the pitch, a role that doesn’t suit him. Although he tried to contribute, it was clear he is more comfortable playing as a lone defensive midfielder than in a more advanced role.
Bukayo Saka once again proved why he is one of Arsenal’s most vital players. Continuing his trend of either scoring or assisting in every game this season, Saka made the difference by providing the perfect corner for Gabriel’s winning goal.
Gabriel Martinelli was a constant threat down the left wing with his sharp running, though his decision-making in key moments still needs refinement. He delivered an excellent cross to Havertz, which could have resulted in an assist, but overall, he found it difficult to make a decisive impact.
Kai Havertz impressed with his ability to hold up the ball under pressure as Arsenal sought ways to relieve Tottenham’s attacks. His composure in the final third helped maintain possession during critical moments.
Leandro Trossard had a quieter match than usual, appearing a bit slow on the ball and lacking his usual sharpness in the final third. However, he still showed flashes of quality during the buildup play and helped retain possession when Arsenal needed to slow the tempo.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s resilience and solid defense were the keys to securing this crucial victory in a high-stakes encounter with their North London rivals.