Mikel Arteta’s strategy proved highly effective as Arsenal secured a victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
On Sunday afternoon, Spurs fell 1-0 to Arsenal, allowing Arsenal to keep pace with Manchester City at the Premier League summit. Tottenham had few clear opportunities in the second half, and Gabriel’s header proved decisive for Arsenal.
Arteta expressed his satisfaction post-match, highlighting the significance of the North London Derby win for both the team and the community. He noted the team’s resilience and readiness to face challenges without making excuses, emphasizing their bravery and determination to secure the win despite the difficulties they encountered.
Arteta revealed that he had to alter his game plan just days before the match due to injuries to key players during international duty. Martin Ødegaard’s ankle injury with Norway compounded Arteta’s problems, while Declan Rice was already suspended. Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko were sidelined with calf injuries, leaving them out of the North London Derby.
“I had spent four or five days preparing a clear plan for the match,” Arteta said. “I had organized meetings, training, and other preparations. Then, we lost one player after another, forcing me to completely revise the plan based on the available squad. It was a challenging task.”
Following these adjustments, Arteta accepted the need for Arsenal to adopt a more defensive stance, allowing Tottenham to dominate possession. Arsenal’s 4-4-2 formation proved effective in stifling Spurs’ attacking efforts.
In the first half, Arsenal’s approach looked promising, though Arteta was seen directing Bukayo Saka to reposition for a tighter formation. Cameras from Sky Sports captured Arteta’s animated gestures and instructions, which appeared to pay off as Arsenal secured a 1-0 win.
Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture is against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. With City currently two points ahead of Arsenal, the upcoming match promises to be highly competitive.
