Gabriel Magalhaes’ towering header secured Arsenal a crucial 1-0 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a fiercely contested North London derby.
The Gunners, missing key players such as captain Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, and the suspended Declan Rice, had to dig deep against an aggressive Spurs side led by Ange Postecoglou.
Despite their absentees, Arsenal weathered early pressure from Tottenham, with Dejan Kulusevski forcing goalkeeper David Raya into action twice within the opening eight minutes. Spurs continued to dominate possession in the first half, sensing the absence of Arsenal’s usual midfield control.
The game’s intensity was palpable, with tempers flaring and Jurrien Timber’s strong challenge on Pedro Porro sparking a reaction that saw Vicario and six others booked in the first 45 minutes, setting a Premier League record for yellow cards in a single half.
Arsenal, though initially on the back foot, began to find their rhythm. Bukayo Saka saw his shot bravely blocked by Porro, but it was his delivery from a corner that proved decisive. Gabriel Magalhaes rose above Tottenham’s defense to head the ball into the net, igniting wild celebrations among the visiting Arsenal fans.
In search of an equalizer, Tottenham threw everything forward, with Kulusevski coming close late in the game, but his effort flew just over the bar. Arsenal’s resolute defense, marshalled by William Saliba and Gabriel, held firm to secure the victory.
The result boosts Arsenal’s confidence, overcoming significant absences to earn a hard-fought win, while Tottenham is left to rue missed chances in a heated contest.
