Mikel
Arteta’s side have taken their defensive game to serious heights in recent years, including conceding a Premier League best of only 29 goals last term.
It hasn’t led to Arsenal winning the Premier League title, but you sense that they are seriously knocking that door down and it’s only a matter of time.
William Saliba has played a huge part in Arsenal‘s rise in recent years and he has built a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the defence.
Gabriel scored the winner for Arsenal against Tottenham after his powering header from close-blank range in the second half.
It’s not the norm, but Arsenal saw very little of the ball, with Tottenham having over 60% possession on home soil and constantly trying to knock their wall down.
But again and again, they defended like the George Graham teams of the past because they couldn’t get through, even when they made mistakes.
In the first half, Arsenal gave away possession on the edge of their box, the ball was at the feet of Dominic Solanke, but after just a few touches, he was swarmed and dispossessed by Saliba.
Glenn Hoddle was critical of the Spurs striker for taking too many touches during that moment, but he was mightily impressed by Saliba’s defending, as he told Premier League Production
The Tottenham legend highlighted how much ground the Frenchman covered to ensure that Solanke had as little time as possible to punish his opponents.
William Saliba’s defending
“He (Solanke) has been out for a little while,” said Hoddle about his missed chance after pouncing on an Arsenal mistake. “But these are the things that get a little rusty (first touch).
“As soon as the ball comes in there, it’s his first touch, it’s under his foot. He has got to open up his body, get it on the outside of his right side, away from the defender and then he just strokes it into the net.
“Great defending from Saliba. The ground he has covered so quickly. But what an opportunity. These big matches, the north London derby, that’s the difference. That first touch. If his touch is right, then he gets the shot in. And that’s the big difference.”
Arsenal without Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice
In recent years, Arsenal have won these big games with all of their key players fit, but it was a different story this time around.
Arsenal were without Rice and Odegaard, yet they still managed to scrap their way to three points and further showcase their title credentials.
Before a ball was kicked, Arteta knew, from the get-go, he had one of the more difficult starts to the season and it was going to seriously test them.
But Arsenal’s win at Villa Park, now the north London derby, has set them up nicely for that all-important showdown against Manchester City on Sunday.
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