Perhaps many thought Tottenham Hotspur had a chance to get one over Arsenal this time around, given Arsenal’s recent misfortune with injuries and suspensions to key midfielders, captain Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice. However, that was not the case, as Arsenal managed to outplay Tottenham, with a decisive goal from center-half Gabriel Magalhães securing all three points and a clean sheet to boast.
This win was historic for Mikel Arteta and the Gunners, marking the club’s first time winning at Spurs’ stadium three times in a row.
Arsenal traveled to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a feeble squad, missing players like Declan Rice (suspension), Martin Ødegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mikel Merino, and Kieran Tierney. This left Arsenal’s bench composed of five academy players: Ethan Nwaneri (17), Lewis Skelly (17), Ayden Heaven (17), Kacurri (18), and Kabia (18). The only notable first-team players on the bench were Gabriel Jesus and the two new signings, Raheem Sterling and goalkeeper Neto.
On paper, there was a sense that Tottenham had the stronger squad, and it showed on the pitch with their dominance in possession, especially in Arsenal’s half. However, Tottenham failed to capitalize on their chances, and the brilliance of David Raya, along with a resolute Arsenal backline, proved enough to keep the relentless hot Spurs at bay.
Ange Postecoglou is now left with a head-scratcher after back-to-back losses to Newcastle and Arsenal, while Mikel Arteta looks to squeeze results out of his thin squad as they head to Italy to face Atalanta in the Champions League, before their highly anticipated showdown at the Etihad against league leaders Manchester City.
