Gabriel celebrates with Odegaard and Rice after scoring (©REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)
Gabriel celebrates with Odegaard and Rice after scoring (©REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)

Arsenal's set-pieces axeman Gabriel tears mercurial Spurs into pieces

Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 16.01.25. | 01:00

The Gunners come from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the North London Derby

Stats are such a useful tool. They show us much more than just numbers.

Take Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, for example.

Stats show that Spurs have scored 23 first-half goals in 21 Premier League games, more than any other team in the EPL this season. However, at the same time, Arsenal have scored four goals from corners against Tottenham in the Premier League since the start of last season - the most any team has netted against an opponent in this period.

These stats are the essential inputs to understand the outcome of the latest North London Derby we saw on Wednesday night, as the Gunners came from behind to beat Ange Postecoglou's mercurial team 2-1.

No matter how good Spurs' attack can be, their defence is just conceding so much, too much for a side that has any serious ambition in the world's most competitive league. They managed to overcome Arsenal's pressure in the opening minutes and to get in front with Son Heung-min's opener, which stunned Emirates Stadium. After Djed Spence's remarkable cross with the outside of his foot, which ended with Gabriel's last-gasp clearance, that was Tottenham's only chance in the first half. Yet, it was just enough for Ange's army to grab a lead, and it seemed like they could hold onto it this time and avenge themselves for the 1-0 home loss to the Gunners in the reverse fixture.

Alas, that's just Tottenham.

They conceded another from a set piece as Gabriel nodded it home on the back post after Declan Rice's long cross. The ball hit Dominic Solanke on the way in.

Just four minutes later, on the verge of the first-half stoppage time, it was time for a total turnaround.

This time, it was a lovely goal from an open play brought to us by Leandro Trossard. The Belgian international got the ball from Martin Odegaard, with the former firing it marvellously into the far low corner to make it 2-1.

The second half didn't provide us with too much excitement, as Arsenal had much better opportunities to widen the gap, but the score stayed 2-1. The visitors' last push for the equalizer ended in Pedro Porro's added-time effort, which hit the post.

The Gunners are back in the title race, while Postecoglou is seriously flirting with a potential sack, with his team being only eight points above the relegation zone.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 21

Tuesday

Brentford - Man.City 2-2 (0-0)

/Wissa 82, Norgaard 90+2 - Foden 66, 78/

Chelsea - Bournemouth (1-0)

/Palmer 13, James 90+5 - Kluivert 50 (p), Semenyo 68/

West Ham - Fulham 3-2 (2-0)

/Soler 31, Soucek 33, Paqueta 67 - Iwobi 51, 78/

Nott.Forest - Liverpool 1-1 (1-0)

/Wood 8 - Jota 66/

Wednesday

Everton - Aston Villa 0-1 (0-0)

/Watkins 51/

Leicester - Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-0)

/Mateta 52, Guehi 78/

Newcastle - Wolverhampton 3-0 (1-0)

/Isak 34, 57, Gordon 74/

Arsenal - Tottenham 2-1 (2-1)

/Gabriel 40, Trossard 44 - Son 25/

Thursday

22.30: (4.00) Ipswich (3.60) Brighton (2.00)

23.00: (1.30) Man.Utd. (5.50) Southampton (10.0)

***odds are subject to change***



tags

Leandro TrossardGabriel MagalhaesSon Heung-MinAnge PostecoglouMikel ArtetaEnglish Premier League

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