Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was unimpressed with his side’s play in possession during their 1-0 win at arch-rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Gabriel’s 64th-minute header decided the first north London derby of the season and condemned Spurs to consecutive defeats despite the hosts having 62% of play.
“We weren’t our best with the ball today,” Arteta told Sky Sports after the visitors extended their unbeaten run in the fixture to five matches, winning four of those games.
“We did a lot of simple things wrong that didn’t allow us to have that continuity. They jump and press every single ball, which makes it difficult. The way we defended was so strong.”
Gabriel opens the scoring in the derby for Arsenal! 💥 pic.twitter.com/AHd09uxOUW
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 15, 2024
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Tottenham vs Arsenal: Gunners ‘exposed’
“We want to play a different game, especially without the ball in different areas of the pitch,” added Arteta. “But [Spurs] have a difficult structure to match up against. We were exposed.”
In the absence of Declan Rice through suspension and fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard through injury, Gabriel nodded in Bukayo Saka’s corner to send Arsenal two points behind leaders Manchester City.
Arsenal’s 23 goals from set pieces since the start of last season is the most of any Premier League team and as many as Spurs have conceded from dead balls during the same period, with only Nottingham Forest having a worse record.
“We should have done more in the first half but we knew we were a bit threat on set plays and we knew we could hurt them,” said Areta.
“They create an unbelievable atmosphere. We knew it would be a tough match and the resilience we showed made it easier.”
“I’m so happy for this guy” 🙌
Nothing but love from Jorginho for match-winner Gabriel 🇮🇹🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/s4f9y1xsOT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 15, 2024
“It’s a real compliment to the team. Any player in any area of the pitch is ready to do what a lot of people call ‘the ugly things’.
“They enjoy doing that part of the game. Then you start to be a complete team, to win in any context. I’m delighted because the team, over a season, has to go over a lot of hurdles.”
Arsenal show squad strength
“It was difficult because we have lost a lot of important players for us,” observed Arteta. “Those who waited for the chance trained and behaved in the right manner. This is the result.”
Arteta said he did not have an update on captain Odegaard, who suffered an ankle injury with Norway, or Saka, who went down and was unable to continue late on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
