For years, the fixture between Arsenal and Tottenham has been a classic affair that provokes most heated emotions, and this latest episode proved no exception. It was an exhaustive fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Arsenal managed to pip their hosts 1-0, reconfirming their position as Premier League 2024/25 runners-up. And once more, it was a Brazilian that shone bright: Gabriel Magalhães, with his header, was the hero of the day, helping his team secure three vital points in their pursuit of Manchester City.
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Gabriel Magalhães: the hero of the derby
The name on everybody's lips right after the final whistle was definitely Gabriel Magalhães. This center-back has always proved to be a great figure in Arsenal's defense, but this time again, he proved that he could make a difference in attacking, too. He needed just 64 minutes of play and capitalized on a precise corner kick thanks to Bukayo Saka to get over the Tottenham defense and powerfully head the ball into the net. The victory of the Gunners was sealed.
It marked Gabriel Magalhães's 16th goal in an Arsenal shirt and certainly one of the most important. His presence in set pieces has acted like a sword for Arteta's side, which needed every option available to overcome the challenges. Gabriel's confidence during clutch moments makes him not only a top-class defender but also an important asset in any decisive match.
A tense classic
Predictably enough, given the scale of this derby, this was an edgy, tightly wound contest from first to last. The fouls came regularly, a sure-fire indication of two nervous sides on the pitch. There were eight yellow cards in all, five for Tottenham, three for Arsenal's. One robust challenge, from Timber on Pedro Porro during the first half, brought about a scrap and summed up how fevered it got at times on and off the pitch.
This was also replicated in the manner Tottenham approached the game, with their attempts to dominate possession-63.7% being their share of the ball. However, that control did not translate into clear cut scoring chances for them. Arsenal was clinical with whatever chance came their way and won the match comfortably with a solid backline and perfectly maneuvered set-piece plays.
Resilience in the face of adversity
It's even more impressive with the players missing for this Arsenal victory. Mikel Arteta was obliged to make smart team changes without suspended Declan Rice and injured Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, and Oleksander Zinchenko out for muscle problems. Without such vital players, many questions could be begged about the performance of the Gunners.
And, after the match, Arteta didn't hold back on his praise about the mentality of the team. "After the international break, we took a few hits," the coach conceded. "The way the team reacted was magnificent. It showed a lot of maturity." And it isn't just the manager who's taken notice of the team's evolution. This was Arsenal's third consecutive win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium-a feat that illustrates their growth under Arteta's tutelage.
The Spanish coach also pointed out the defensive strategy. "We weren't at our best with the ball today, but the way we defended was top class," he said, recognizing the solidity in defense of his team, without some of its most important pieces. With little possession, Arsenal had to be more careful and managed well to hold off Tottenham's advances and reduce the risks.
Glancing at the title race
With this win, Arsenal goes to the second position in the Premier League table with 10 points, while Liverpool drops after the defeat. The mission is going to be pretty clear for the Gunners-to remain at the back of Manchester City, current leaders with 12 points. That will be no easy job, especially considering the consistency the Citizens have shown in these years, but the Gunners are proving that they have the capacity to run for the title.
The win in the North London derby is a big stride in that direction. Every point is important in the Premier League, which means victories in symbolic games make all the difference in the last part of the season. Moreover, defeating local rivals Tottenham away from home brings added value to players and fans, who will surely savor this glimpse of supremacy in the English capital.