Premier League: Arsenal enjoys a soporific derby against Tottenham

This Sunday was North London Derby day in the Premier League. Always stronger over the years, Arsenal traveled to the pitch of a Tottenham seeking revenge after the Gunners’ success (3-2) on their land at the end of last season. Beyond the stakes of a 196th derby for the supporters, Mikel Arteta’s men had to win to avoid seeing Manchester City slip away in the standings. To do this, the Spanish coach lined up his first team while Ange Postecoglou did the same. While everything destined us to experience a great match in the Spurs setting, the first half was ultimately quite disconcertingly sad. Despite the accelerations of the locals (5th, 8th), neither team managed to find the fault against the opposing block, often well grouped. The biggest opportunity of this first act was Gabriel Martinelli’s incredible lack of discernment in the 20th minute. Launched into the deep, the Brazilian winger completely forgot to pass to Bukayo Saka to send a sullen curling shot which Guglielmo Vicario calmly intervened.

After the break, the match did not really come out of its soporific mastery. Between two teams that gave themselves over, but did not take many risks to make the difference, the solution came from set pieces. On a perfectly taken corner by Bukayo Saka on the right, Gabriel Magalhaes showed his malice. Cleverly pushing Cristian Romero, the Brazilian defender armed a powerful header from close range that left Vicario no chance (0-1, 64th). A goal that air-conditioned the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, silent. Mentally, this header also hurt the teammates of a discreet Heung-min Son. Clumsy and cruelly lacking creativity in the penalty area, the Spurs did not know how to ignite the end of the match and had to resign themselves to a new defeat in the north London derby. With this second defeat in the Premier League, the men in white have only one victory in four matches this season. In an unattractive match, Arsenal came away from their rivals with the victory. Three welcome points which allow the Gunners to remain two points behind the leader Manchester City.