Gabriel goal settles spicy Premier League derby

Arsenal moved two points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League as Gabriel’s header decided the first north London derby of the season and condemned Spurs to consecutive defeats.

Defender Gabriel nodded in Bukayo Saka’s corner in the 64th minute, settling a contest that had matched the record for the most yellow cards during the first half of a top-flight game, with Spurs accruing five of those bookings.

The arch-rivals lacked precision in front of goal, although David Raya turned Dejan Kulusevski’s early strike behind and Guglielmo Vicario produced a fine save to stop Kai Havertz’s header before the break.

Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber escaped a red card for a strong first-half challenge on Pedro Porro following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.

Gabriel opens the scoring in the derby for Arsenal! 💥 pic.twitter.com/AHd09uxOUW

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 15, 2024

Tottenham vs Arsenal: Gunners ‘proud’

In the absence of Declan Rice through suspension and fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard through injury, Arsenal had 38% of possession but still had enough to secure a gritty sixth win from their last eight meetings with Tottenham.

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 had to work really hard,” said Jorginho, the stand-in captain for Odegaard, who suffered an ankle injury while playing for Norway.

“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

“But we knew it would be a difficult game,” the Italy international added to Sky Sports. “On these days, you have to work really hard.

“You have to count on your team-mates and stick together. We know we can count on each other. Now we have players who are missing but we have a total team.

“We know whoever is going to come on will be ready to help. As you saw, everyone was ready. We are proud and happy for the team.”

Was there a foul in the Build up to Arsenal’s goal? 🔍 pic.twitter.com/6KN8r0ro5i

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 15, 2024

Arsenal, Tottenham fixtures

Tottenham are next in action at second-tier Coventry City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (8pm BST) and host Brentford in the league three days later (3pm).

Arsenal travel to Atalanta in the Uefa Champions League on Thursday (8pm) and Manchester City the following Sunday (4pm).