BREAKING: Arsenal released offic!al statement after FA’s decision to cancel Gabriel’s goal after full-time
As statement victories go, this was as big as they can get for Arsenal. A patched-up midfield, missing key players, and yet they dug deep to produce a performance full of determination and grit.
This will give Mikel Arteta even greater confidence that his team can overhaul Manchester City in the title race this season. At the heart of the victory was Brazil defender Gabriel who scored the winner – obviously from a set piece – and then guarded his own goal with a magnificent defensive display.
It was no wonder Gabriel went over to the away end after the final whistle, fists clenched in delight and celebrating with the jubilant Arsenal fans. It puts Arsenal up to second place in the Premier League table, two points behind City ahead of next week’s early title crunch at the Etihad next Sunday.
In truth, there was little to choose between the teams and it felt inevitable that it would come down to a set piece because Tottenham cannot defend them and Arsenal love scoring from them.
Bukayo Saka’s in-swinging corner caused chaos, Ben White and William Saliba created havoc and there was Gabriel left unmarked four yards out to head home the 64th minute winner.
It is actually unforgivable from a Tottenham point of view because they conceded 16 goals from set pieces last season which was the highest in the Premier League.
Arsenal have now scored 23 from the start of last season and Arteta’s men are getting better at them… and Ange Postecoglou has still not learnt his lesson.
Tottenham fans booed at the final whistle, which is a reflection not just of this defeat but an underwhelming start to a season when anything other than getting into the Champions League places will be seen as failure.
For Arsenal, this was about showing they can cope in adversity because that is what title successes are built on. No Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard in midfield? No problem. Well, that is a bit of a stretch because Jorginho and Thomas Partey tried hard but it was almost as if Arsenal played without a midfield.
Jorginho was playing his first minutes of the season and looked very rusty while Partey looked lost without Odegaard and Rice. But that is when you need others to step up. Kai Havertz chased every ball, Leandro Trossard was good in support while Jurrien Timber was relentless at left back. Defensively, Arsenal were magnificent.
