Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal's determination after they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against rivals Tottenham, despite missing key players Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Odegaard was sidelined with an ankle injury, while Rice was suspended following his red card against Brighton. Arsenal showed resilience, overcoming Tottenham's missed opportunities, with Gabriel Magalhaes scoring the decisive goal in the second half, marking his first since February. The victory helped Arsenal remain unbeaten, with three wins in their first four Premier League matches.
Arteta expressed his delight with the team's ability to overcome adversity, especially in a fiercely contested North London derby. He acknowledged the difficulty of preparing without key players, but highlighted the team's mental toughness and willingness to "do the ugly things" necessary for victory. Arsenal's recent record against Tottenham has been impressive, with this being their third consecutive win at their rival's ground. The result leaves Arsenal two points behind Manchester City as they shift focus to their upcoming Champions League opener.
The win also underscored Arsenal's strength in set-pieces, as the team has scored more goals from dead-ball situations than any other Premier League side since last season. Arteta credited Nicolas Jover, Arsenal's set-piece coach, for his role in developing this crucial aspect of their game. Gabriel's goal was another example of Arsenal's ability to exploit Tottenham's vulnerability at set-pieces, a recurring issue for their opponents.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, reflected on his team's lack of sharpness in attack, despite creating opportunities. He downplayed the set-piece goal as the primary reason for the defeat, instead pointing to Tottenham's wastefulness in the final third. Postecoglou remains under scrutiny as his side struggles with consistency, having suffered successive defeats, with only one win so far this season.
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