Gary Neville spots Gabriel Jesus’ important role and four more things we learned from Arsenal beating Tottenham
ARSENAL prevailed yet again in the North London Derby on Tottenham soil to continue their fine start to the new season.
Gabriel’s second-half header was enough for the three points – the first time the Gunners have won three successive away games at rivals Spurs since 1988.
They managed it without the likes of suspended Declan Rice and injured Martin Odegaard, as well as a whole host of other first team stars missing.
It leaves Mikel Arteta’s men two points off leaders Manchester City after four games ahead of their mammoth trip to the Etihad this weekend.
SunSport’s Jordan Davies takes a look at five things you may have missed from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Saliba’s battle with Solanke
A North London Derby debut for Spurs’ record-signing Dominic Solanke – a £65m summer arrival from Bournemouth – was as daunting as it comes against Arsenal’s William Saliba.
The French defender is very rarely flustered by any opposition striker and showed moments of calmness and brilliance to help Arsenal earn a third clean sheet of the season already.
But in the early stages, we saw some rare signs of Saliba being outmuscled by Solanke, who was causing the Arsenal backline some problems with his pace and power.
Saliba was clearly getting frustrated, picking up a needless first half yellow card for delaying a restart after losing another tussle with Solanke from a high ball.
He may have recovered well, but it just shows that Saliba is not the finished article just yet, even if he is mighty close.
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An insane 2024 away record
Arsenal have been formidable in the Prem away from home since the turn of the year, boasting some of the best statistics in the division.
Since January 1, they have won 10 of 11 games on the road – drawing 0-0 at Manchester City back in March – notching nine clean sheets in the process and conceding just three goals.
They have also faced the fewest shots [108] and the fewest shots on target [22], and have not trailed for a single minute.
It is the sort of record you want when you are heading to your title rivals needing a statement result as Arteta will plot another away-day triumph against City on Sunday.
A bench full of teenagers
Given Arteta’s current injury headaches – with Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu also out – it is no surprise Arsenal’s bench was weak.
But not many expected to see five teenagers filling the seats, three of whom most Arsenal fans would struggle to recognise on the street.
Academy stars Myles Lewis-Skelly, 17, and Ethan Nwaneri, 17, got plenty of minutes on the pre-season tour of the States, with the latter subbed on in the 86th minute against Spurs.
But the likes of Ayden Heaven, 17, Maldini Kacurri, 18, and Ismeal Kabia, 18, are less well-known, starring predominantly for the youth teams and occasionally training with the seniors.
Their presence shows just how hard the injuries have dented Arteta’s squad depth.
Jesus taking care of Nwaneri
On co-comms for Sky Sports, Gary Neville praised Gabriel Jesus for his on-field protection of Nwaneri during the game.
Jesus – back from a groin injury – came on in the 80th minute to lead the line and see out the game, only for Bukayo Saka to hobble off injured with cramp.
Nwaneri was thrown on, but sensing he may struggle to replicate Saka’s defensive abilities on the wing, Jesus quickly switched with Nwaneri, telling the youngster to lead the line.
Neville admitted he “liked that a lot” as it showed leadership and experience from Jesus to protect a teenager who could have been left isolated in an unfamiliar position.
Sterling puts in the graft
After his dramatic Deadline Day switch from Chelsea on loan earlier this month, Sterling had a few weeks over the international break to get to grips with Arsenal’s tactical nuances.
It should not have been too tough, seeing as Sterling worked with Arteta during his time as assistant coach at City between 2016 and 2019.
And the England winger showed he is capable of doing the dirty work that Arteta wants to see as he covered for left-back Jurrien Timber in the closing stages.
Sterling even had a chance up the other end on the counter, taking too many touches after cutting inside before being crowded out, but promising signs are there.
Arsenal ratings vs Spurs as Gabriel is the hero in feisty North London derby
GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.
Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.
You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too.
GABRIEL – 9
A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock).
Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man.
BEN WHITE – 6
Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.
Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.
JORGINHO – 4
Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.
A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.
Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.
Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him.
Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with.
Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45.
Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero.