'Same old story - Arsenal expose Spurs flaws again'

Arsenal’s attraction to item – and mini item tin settee matches balanced connected good margins – demonstrated why they inflicted much northbound London derby symptom connected Tottenham.

The screams of delight from nan Arsenal analysts astatine nan backmost of nan property container erstwhile Gabriel thumped a towering header past Guglielmo Vicario successful nan 64th infinitesimal to springiness Mikel Arteta’s broadside a crucial 1-0 victory - their 3rd successful succession astatine Spurs - underlined a decisive quality betwixt nan 2 sides.

Spurs were presented pinch a immense opportunity to make a connection against their fiercest rivals arsenic nan Arsenal teamsheet arrived without skipper Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, absent done wounded and suspension, respectively.

Instead, Ange Postecoglou’s broadside delivered a capacity that deteriorated into a morass of mediocre decisions each complete nan pitch, shooting and crossing opportunities either passed up aliases wasted arsenic a grade of panic group successful aft Gabriel’s goal.

The vexation was shown by a mates of lucifer programmes hurled connected to nan transportation accompanied by a smattering of boos astatine nan conclusion. One triumph successful 4 convention games constitutes an indifferent commencement for a nine pinch precocious ambitions. They person mislaid 7 of their past 11 convention games straddling this play and last.

Arsenal, successful contrast, formed a coagulated wall of protect guidance successful beforehand of goalkeeper David Raya successful their unfamiliar achromatic kit, past struck pinch ratio to declare nan points.

Spurs and Postecoglou person seen this movie earlier and it has made for unhappy viewing.

Three of Arsenal’s past 4 goals against Spurs person travel from set-pieces and only 3 teams - Nottingham Forest on pinch relegated Luton Town and Sheffield United - person conceded much from specified situations since nan commencement of past season, Postecoglou’s squad letting successful 18 excluding penalties.

And yet, erstwhile nan taxable was raised pinch Postecoglou past season, it was almost brushed disconnected arsenic a non-issue. The statistics, and much importantly nan defeats, propose different and these person to attraction his mind eventually.

But backmost to that opposition betwixt nan teams again.

In nan aforesaid play since nan commencement of past season, Arsenal person scored much goals than immoderate different squad successful nan Premier League: 24 excluding penalties from set-plays.

This is simply a tribute to nan activity of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who came to Arsenal from Manchester City successful 2021. The Gunners had done their homework connected Spurs, who grounded to study erstwhile harsh lessons.

Gabriel’s extremity was hardly a activity of art, much a regular strategy arsenic Saka’s in-swinging area provided nan set-up, helped by defender Cristian Romero’s mediocre defending.

Spurs’ vulnerability successful specified situations is simply a recurring taxable and Arsenal cognize it. Romero’s entreaty to referee Jarred Gillet that he had been fouled was nan very meaning of desperation. The Argentine, a self-styled beardown man, simply was not beardown enough.

Spurs must person relished nan presence of Arsenal’s teamsheet without nan names of Odegaard and Rice, but a lively commencement soon faded successful an occasionally ill-tempered scrap, including an disfigured first-half flare-up arsenic players from some sides fought pursuing Jurien Timber's situation connected Pedro Porro.

An expected Spurs consequence to Gabriel's extremity ne'er materialised and keeper Raya was capable to bask a comparatively untroubled beingness successful nan 2nd half.

Arsenal leant heavy connected Raya’s quality, protect organisation and fierce determination earlier producing that infinitesimal of set-piece occurrence to settee nan destiny of nan points.

Arsenal’s elation astatine nan last whistle was understandable, pinch nan triumph achieved without Odegaard and Rice, arsenic good arsenic nan knowledge that much dropped points aft drafting pinch Brighton astatine location would summation unit up of their convention crippled astatine champions and leaders Manchester City adjacent weekend. They now dishonesty conscionable 2 points behind.

Spurs started nan time pinch precocious hopes but an early feverish ambiance was yet subdued, pinch almost a consciousness of inevitability that Arsenal would inflict acquainted pain, arsenic they duly did.

Postecoglou and Spurs needed a accelerated commencement arsenic a slump successful nan 2nd half of past play saw them walk up a Champions League spot to Aston Villa. It is an betterment successful style and convention placing aft nan stodge of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte but it is still a disappointment aft truthful overmuch optimism and committedness for nan first fewer months of nan season.

Spurs presently beryllium successful 13th place. They will consciousness this nonaccomplishment because it looked for illustration nan perfect juncture to reverse nan inclination against Arsenal connected their ain turf.

James Maddison still looks for illustration a subordinate lacking confidence, while caller £60m summertime signing Dominic Solanke was uncovering his feet connected his location debut, nan striker sending 1 header conscionable wide, different consecutive into nan arms of Raya, past taking excessively agelong complete 1 first-half opportunity.

Spurs simply ran retired of ideas earlier nan extremity and Arsenal were contented to soak up what mightiness beryllium loosely described arsenic unit earlier nan last whistle was blown to nan sound of mixed emotions.

It was a happy ending for Arsenal successful this northbound London derby story, pinch their players and head Arteta conducting joyous celebrations successful their mini area of force territory.