The North London Derby ended in victory for the Gunners thanks to a second-half header from Gabriel Magalhaes. It was not a surprising victory, but it showed the effectiveness of Arsenal's simple style of play and Tottenham's failure to overcome long-standing weaknesses.
Tottenham rushed forward but lacked sharpness in the final touches. Meanwhile, Arsenal showed a contrast, defending well and taking advantage of opportunities from set pieces - a signature weapon under Mikel Arteta. It was from a corner that The Gunners scored the decisive goal with a powerful header from Gabriel.
The match showed Arsenal's superiority in tactical preparation. Despite not having the services of key players such as Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, the away team still played with resilience and high concentration. In particular, Mikel Arteta praised Nicolas Jover - a coach specializing in set-piece situations, who contributed significantly to the construction of tactics. Since Jover was appointed in 2021, Arsenal have scored 42 goals from set-piece situations - the most impressive number in Europe's top 5 leagues.
Tottenham, on the other hand, made a familiar mistake when they continued to expose their weaknesses in set-piece situations. After the match, captain Ange Postecoglou expressed his discomfort when having to answer questions about this weakness. However, it is undeniable that it led to his team's defeat. Spurs actively played a lot of attacking but could not create a truly dangerous opportunity against Arsenal's solid defense.
Despite the absence of some stars, the Gunners still showed their tenacity and organization in their play. Once again, the duo William Saliba - Gabriel Magalhaes had an excellent match when completely overshadowing Tottenham's attack. Bright stars like Son Heung-min or Dominic Solanke seemed to have little space in front of Arsenal's goal.
The biggest difference between the two teams was their confidence and effectiveness in tactical execution. Arsenal came into the game with a clear and simple plan, especially in defending and taking advantage of set pieces. Tottenham, meanwhile, relapsed into their old problems in the draw with Leicester City, attacking a lot but failing to score.
Ange Postecoglou's side were constantly making poor decisions, from inaccurate passes to ineffective finishing. Tottenham's attacking play, especially their use of the ball out wide and then crossing, was easily dealt with by Arsenal's defence. Jurrien Timber impressed in this match with his solidity and strong tackling ability.
A major problem Tottenham face is the lack of consistency and quality in the squad. While Arsenal have improved both physically and mentally, the “Roosters” rely heavily on the potential of young players. This may bring short-term success, but when facing big teams like Arsenal, the difference in class and experience is revealed.
Tottenham once had the potential to challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League, but this match showed they still have much to improve on if they are to go further. Despite some progress under Postecoglou, Spurs still face familiar questions about their ability to compete.
On the contrary, Arsenal can be satisfied with this victory. Despite the difficulties in terms of personnel, they still showed steadfastness and courage in important matches. This further strengthens the belief in Arteta's strategy and the bright future of the "Gunners" in the race for the Premier League title this season.
