BREAKING NEWS: Player ratings as Arsenal narrowly defeat Tottenham in a sluggish North London derby.
In a tense North London derby on Sunday, Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Tottenham, with Gabriel’s headed goal being the sole difference between the two sides. The away side’s win marked their third consecutive triumph at Tottenham, a significant achievement despite the absence of key players Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
The first half was particularly fraught, with seven yellow cards being issued before the break, reflecting the game’s heated nature. However, the second half saw a more controlled, if somewhat frustrating, display. Arsenal focused on defensive solidity, preventing Spurs from breaking through, while sticking to a cautious and pragmatic approach. Though Mikel Arteta’s team wasn’t particularly creative or attacking, their set-piece execution was enough to see the game plan through successfully.
Tottenham Player Ratings:
– Guglielmo Vicario – 5: Showed uncertainty dealing with crosses and was booked for a confrontation with Timber. His inability to handle aerial threats might have prevented him from stopping Arsenal’s goal.
– Destiny Udogie – 7: Earned an early yellow for a late challenge on Saka, leaving him in a precarious position, but still managed to keep the dangerous winger relatively quiet.
– Micky Van de Ven – 7: Booked just before half-time, but posed a threat going forward, including a header saved by Raya. His defensive speed frustrated Arsenal’s forwards.
– Cristian Romero – 6: Showed moments of brilliance with key defensive stops, but a lapse in concentration allowed Gabriel to score. He ventured forward in the later stages to support the attack.
– Pedro Porro – 6: A potent threat in attack but vulnerable defensively, with Martinelli frequently finding space behind him.
– Rodrigo Bentancur – 7: Unfairly booked for a challenge on Havertz, but put in a commendable shift in midfield despite being left to cover a lot of ground.
– James Maddison – 5: Struggled to create chances and misplaced crucial passes, unable to break through Arsenal’s defense.
– Dejan Kulusevski – 5: Had a strong early chance saved by Raya and was booked before half-time. Faded in the second half without offering much threat.
– Son Heung-min – 5: Looked promising at the start but failed to deliver in key moments, leaving Spurs without the firepower needed to equalize.
– Brennan Johnson – 5: Frequently found dangerous positions but lacked the finishing or final ball to capitalize on his opportunities.
– Dominic Solanke – 6: A constant nuisance for Arsenal’s defense, but he wasted a good early chance and narrowly missed the target with a header after half-time.
Arsenal Player Ratings:
– David Raya – 7: Made two crucial saves early in the game. His job was made easier in the second half as Arsenal’s defense held firm.
– Ben White – 7: Played his part in a solid defensive display, staying disciplined without offering much in attack.
– Gabriel – 8: Scored the decisive goal with a towering header and defended strongly, recovering well after an early yellow card for a delay in play.
– Jurrien Timber – 6: Had a close call with a challenge that could have seen a red, but escaped with a yellow. Tottenham had more success attacking his flank.
– Thomas Partey – 7: Maintained control in a challenging midfield battle. While unspectacular, he did what was required to keep Spurs at bay.
– Jorginho – 7: Booked for a foul on Maddison but managed the midfield well, especially considering it was his first appearance of the season.
– Gabriel Martinelli – 5: Missed a clear chance early on and struggled to fully exploit the gaps behind Porro, despite his pace.
– Leandro Trossard – 6: Worked hard in pressing and midfield roles, but failed to offer much threat in the final third.
– Bukayo Saka – 6: Not his most influential game as Tottenham managed to limit his attacking involvement. Nonetheless, his defensive work rate was crucial.
– Kai Havertz – 6: Put in significant effort without providing much in terms of creativity or attack. His work rate was commendable, if not impactful.
Substitutes:
– Tottenham:
– Pape Matar Sarr – 5/10
– Wilson Odobert – 5/10
– Timo Werner – 5/10
– Arsenal:
– Gabriel Jesus – 5/10
– Raheem Sterling – 5/10
– Ethan Nwaneri – 5/10