LATEST NEWS: Arsenal player ratings against Tottenham: Gabriel stands out and Bukayo Saka impresses with his skill.
Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby. The Gunners started sluggishly, missing the presence of key players Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, which affected their control in midfield. Spurs had their share of opportunities through Dejan Kulusevski, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke, but David Raya remained resolute.
Lacking dominance in midfield, Arsenal’s best chances came on the counterattack. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz both had near misses. The match was tense and physical, with seven yellow cards shown in the first half alone.
In the second half, the close contest continued, but Arsenal finally broke through with Gabriel’s header from an impeccably placed Bukayo Saka corner.
That goal proved decisive as Arsenal held on for the win. Raheem Sterling was handed his debut in the closing stages, helping the team secure the vital three points. Here’s a breakdown of football.london’s player ratings for the match:
– David Raya: Made some brilliant saves early on to keep the score level. Stayed alert as Spurs applied pressure, showcasing his value on his 29th birthday. Rating: 7.
– Ben White: Had a tough time against Son Heung-min, who repeatedly got the better of him. Made some uncharacteristic errors and didn’t seem as agile as usual. Rating: 5.
– William Saliba: Had occasional trouble dealing with Solanke but was generally solid in defense. As usual, he was comfortable with the ball at his feet. Rating: 6.
– Gabriel: Excelled in a defensive battle, making numerous blocks when Arsenal was under pressure. His superb run and header led to the winning goal. Rating: 8.
– Jurrien Timber: There were debates about whether he should have been sent off in the first half, but it was unwarranted. Displayed the grit necessary for a derby and held his own against Johnson. Rating: 7.
– Thomas Partey: Performed well in playing out from the back but struggled with mobility, especially without Rice alongside him. Rating: 6.
– Jorginho: His lack of pace was noticeable at times, as Kulusevski turned him easily. High pressing isn’t his strength, but he did his best in an unfamiliar role. Rating: 5.
– Bukayo Saka: Continues his impressive form by either scoring or assisting in every match this season. Delivered a perfect corner for Gabriel’s goal, proving decisive on the day. Rating: 8.
– Gabriel Martinelli: Created some promising opportunities with his runs down the left but could improve his decision-making. Delivered a fantastic cross to Havertz, nearly resulting in an assist. Rating: 6.
– Kai Havertz: Displayed strong hold-up play, acting as an outlet to relieve pressure. Showed good technique and decision-making in the final third. Rating: 7.
– Leandro Trossard: A bit slow at times and lacked his usual sharpness in the attacking third. Nevertheless, had moments of smart play in build-up phases. Rating: 6.
Substitutes:
– Gabriel Jesus: Demonstrated versatility by switching between playing up front and on the wing. A dependable option in a game like this. Rating: 6.
– Raheem Sterling: Had a few touches but was largely quiet. Took too long on the ball during a promising moment. Needed guidance from Arteta off the ball. Rating: 6.
– Ethan Nwaneri: Came on too late to be rated. N/A.