Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted he had sleepless nights ahead of the North London derby due to a growing injury crisis in his squad. Despite missing several key players, including captain Martin Odegaard and summer signing Declan Rice, Arsenal managed to grind out a gritty 1-0 victory against their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners entered the match with a depleted squad, and Arteta revealed his concerns leading up to the game. However, a second-half header from Gabriel ensured Arsenal stayed within striking distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City, further consolidating their position near the top of the table.
Injuries Take Their Toll
The international break proved costly for Arsenal as they returned to Premier League action with several key players sidelined. Declan Rice, one of the Gunners’ standout performers since his summer arrival from West Ham, was serving a suspension after accumulating five yellow cards. Adding to Arsenal’s woes, captain Martin Odegaard and defender Riccardo Calafiori picked up injuries while on international duty for Norway and Italy, respectively.
Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, saying, “We had to adapt a little bit because of some of the players we lost. I didn’t sleep much leading up to this game, wondering how we would cope without such important players. It was tough.”
Arsenal Grinds Out an “Ugly” Victory
While Arsenal’s play wasn’t as free-flowing as fans have come to expect, Arteta was quick to praise his side for their resilience and determination. “Sometimes you have to win ugly,” the manager said. “It’s not always about playing the perfect game. Today was about fighting for every ball, being disciplined, and taking our chance when it came.”
In a fiercely contested first half, both sides struggled to gain control, with Tottenham putting pressure on Arsenal’s makeshift defense. The Gunners were forced to dig deep, relying on the experience of players like Gabriel Magalhães and Ben White to keep Tottenham’s attacking threats at bay.
Gabriel’s Heroics Secure the Points
The decisive moment came in the second half when Arsenal won a corner. Gabriel Magalhães rose highest to meet a well-delivered cross, nodding the ball past Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to give the Gunners the lead. It was a goal that typified Arsenal’s performance: not flashy, but efficient and timely.
Tottenham pushed for an equalizer, but Arsenal’s defense held firm. The Gunners’ ability to see out the game in difficult circumstances was a testament to their mental toughness, a quality Arteta has been keen to instill in his squad since taking over as manager.
Staying in the Title Race
The win keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race, just behind leaders Manchester City. While City continues to set the pace with their relentless form, Arsenal’s ability to win under difficult circumstances will be encouraging for Arteta and the Gunners faithful.
Arteta reflected on the result, saying, “This win is massive for us. To come here, in a derby, with so many players missing, and get three points—it shows the character and the fight in this team. We are building something special, and days like this are part of that journey.”
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