Arsenal make statement in Spurs win but Ange Postecoglou hasn’t learned his lesson​

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 ARSENAL: Gabriel Magalhaes’ second half header clinched it for Arsenal, who move up to second place in the table, two points behind Man City ahead of their title clash next week

​TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 ARSENAL: Gabriel Magalhaes’ second half header clinched it for Arsenal, who move up to second place in the table, two points behind Man City ahead of their title clash next week TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 ARSENAL: Gabriel Magalhaes’ second half header clinched it for Arsenal, who move up to second place in the table, two points behind Man City ahead of their title clash next week   

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.

Tottenham could not find a way through and if they cannot beat an under-strength Arsenal team then it does underline the gap between the two clubs.

Incredibly, Arsenal have now won their last three north London derbies at Tottenham which is the first time that has happened since September 1988 and the Gunners went on to win the title that season.‌

It was a scrappy derby but referee Jarred Gillett showed eight yellow cards which seemed far too many and stopped the game from flowing. Tottenham started well and Arsenal keeper David Raya made two smart saves from Dejan Kulusevski.

But if Spurs bossed possession – they had 63 per cent overall – then Arsenal had the better chances, although Havertz saw his header saved by Guglielmo Vicario who also denied Gabriel Martinelli.‌

The second half turned into a pattern of Arsenal sitting deep, defending resolutely and Tottenham trying – and ultimately failing – to break them down. Gabriel and Saliba kept them at arm’s length while no-one got past Timber.

Then Arsenal got the breakthrough after 64 minutes. Saka’s corner found Gabriel and he headed the winner. The Premier League table now has a very familiar look after just four games.

There was no way back for Tottenham. Kulusevski sent a long range effort whistling over in injury time but that was as close as it got.

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