LONDON, ENGLAND: Ben White of Arsenal celebrates at full-time during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Ben White of Arsenal celebrates at full-time during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024.
Tensions were running high in Arsenal’s match away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, as you’d expect in a north London derby.
On top of the historic rivalry between the two clubs and the fact both were desperate for a win to get their respective seasons on the right track, seven first-half yellow cards ensured things got a bit spicy.
So perhaps it should be no surprise there was a bit of a release from Arsenal’s side when Gabriel Magalhaes slammed home a header from a Bukayo Saka corner in the 64th minute.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Gabriel of Arsenal scores his team's first goal past Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur (obscured) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal past Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur (obscured) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024.
The goal was made possible by some clever maneuvering in the penalty area, most notably from Ben White, who took up a position to make it more difficult for Guglielmo Vicario to come and claim the cross.
As a result, Vicario was helpless to stop Gabriel’s powerful header from making it 1-0.
White certainly seemed to enjoy the goal, turning to his marker James Maddison to celebrate in front of him.
Arsenal's Brazilian defender #06 Gabriel Magalhaes scores the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 15, 2024.
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes scores the team’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 15, 2024.
Whilst Ange Postecoglou has been on record as saying that Tottenham Hotspur don’t need a set-piece coach, Arsenal have embraced the role. As a result, the Gunners have three corner goals in two games against Spurs.
Theo Walcott highlighted that focus on Match of the Day, saying: “Arsenal have worked on this day in, day out. That’s the difference in the set-up now, when you have someone who works religiously on set-pieces.”
It’s hard work that White clearly wanted to take a moment to enjoy.
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