Arsenal.com

Gabriel was our north London derby day hero as he headed home the only goal to secure a third-straight victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Brazilian defender towered over the Spurs defence on 64 minutes to divert home a Bukayo Saka cotrner and settle a game of few chances, which we enjoyed the better of throughout the contest and ultimately deserved our hard-fought victory.

It ensured we remain unbeaten in the Premier League this campaign, but more importantly for all Gooners, saw us claim a hat-trick of wins at the home of our neighbours for the first time since 1988 as our superb away record in 2024 continues.

Early chances

We started a Premier League game without Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard for the first time since the England international’s arrival, but our midfield of Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz were superb throughout.

As is usually the case on derby day, the home support was boisterous from the off and that propelled Spurs in the early stages. Fresh off winning the Premier League Save of the Month award, David Raya was forced into action twice in the opening eight minutes, pushing away a Dejan Kulusevski drive from close range before tipping an awkward untouched cross from the Swede around his post.

But we fought back and conjured up the two biggest chances of the half within a 90 seconds of each other. Firstly, Kai Havertz met a cross with his head on 17 minutes and only a fine reflex save from Guglielmo Vicario kept it out, who also got lucky that the ball didn’t creep in off the unaware Cristian Romero.

Then a neat pass by Leandro Trossard released Gabriel Martinell through on goal down the left, but after he charged into the box he couldn’t find any curl as he took aim for the bottom corner and Vicario claimed comfortably.

The busiest man in the opening half was referee Jarred Gillet who dished out seven yellows - the joint-most cards ever shown in the first 45 minutes of a Premier League match - as the derby day passions began to boil over.

Gabi grabs the goal

The beginning of the second half began much in the same way, but we were looking dangerous as we attacked the final third, although our final pass at times was letting us down.

But we kept knocking, and on 64 minutes the quality came to the fore. A swift counter-attack saw us win a corner, and Bukayo Saka whipped a devilish ball right into the six-yard box, where Gabriel escaped Romero’s marking and powerfully dispatched a header past a helpless Vicario to send the travelling supporters wild.

Spurs offered little comeback to that setback and Raya was barely troubled throughout the remainder of the game, as chances dried up. With 10 minutes to go Raheem Sterling was introduced from the bench for his Gunners debut, while Ethan Nwaneri was also added to the fray late on as he got to sample a taste of the derby for the first time.

Hearts were in mouths when Kulusevski let fly from 25 yards in stoppage time but his shot screeched just over the crossbar, and meant we won for the sixth league game on the road in a row, have won 10 of our 11 away games and kept a ninth clean sheet as the derby day delight was again our Gooners’.

Facts and stats

We have won six consecutive Premier League away games for the first time since March-September 2013, when we won eight in a row under Arsene Wenger.

We have won half of their Premier League away games against Tottenham under Mikel Arteta (50% - 3/6). Indeed, this is now just one victory fewer than we managed in 22 away games against them in the competition under Wenger (4/22 – D11 L7).

Spurs have won just four points in the Premier League so far this season (W1 D1 L2), their fewest through their opening four matches of a campaign since 2015/16.

Three of our last four Premier League goals against rivals Tottenham have been from corners - only three of their previous 88 north London derby league goals had been from corners before this.

Since the start of last season, we have scored more goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) than any other team in the Premier League (23). Meanwhile, of teams involved in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns, only Nottingham Forest (23) have conceded more set-piece goals than Spurs (18, excl. pens).

Jorginho's yellow card was the 60th shown to players across this matchday (59 yellows, 1 red), making it the most ever in a single Premier League matchday (previous record being 59 on MD5 in 2023/24).

What's next

We head to Italy next week for our first Champions League game of the season against Atalanta on Thursday, before we tackle reigning champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 22.

Gabriel was our north London derby day hero as he headed home the only goal to secure a third-straight victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Brazilian defender towered over the Spurs defence on 64 minutes to divert home a Bukayo Saka cotrner and settle a game of few chances, which we enjoyed the better of throughout the contest and ultimately deserved our hard-fought victory.

It ensured we remain unbeaten in the Premier League this campaign, but more importantly for all Gooners, saw us claim a hat-trick of wins at the home of our neighbours for the first time since 1988 as our superb away record in 2024 continues.

Early chances

We started a Premier League game without Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard for the first time since the England international’s arrival, but our midfield of Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz were superb throughout.

As is usually the case on derby day, the home support was boisterous from the off and that propelled Spurs in the early stages. Fresh off winning the Premier League Save of the Month award, David Raya was forced into action twice in the opening eight minutes, pushing away a Dejan Kulusevski drive from close range before tipping an awkward untouched cross from the Swede around his post.

But we fought back and conjured up the two biggest chances of the half within a 90 seconds of each other. Firstly, Kai Havertz met a cross with his head on 17 minutes and only a fine reflex save from Guglielmo Vicario kept it out, who also got lucky that the ball didn’t creep in off the unaware Cristian Romero.

Then a neat pass by Leandro Trossard released Gabriel Martinell through on goal down the left, but after he charged into the box he couldn’t find any curl as he took aim for the bottom corner and Vicario claimed comfortably.

The busiest man in the opening half was referee Jarred Gillet who dished out seven yellows - the joint-most cards ever shown in the first 45 minutes of a Premier League match - as the derby day passions began to boil over.

Gabi grabs the goal

The beginning of the second half began much in the same way, but we were looking dangerous as we attacked the final third, although our final pass at times was letting us down.

But we kept knocking, and on 64 minutes the quality came to the fore. A swift counter-attack saw us win a corner, and Bukayo Saka whipped a devilish ball right into the six-yard box, where Gabriel escaped Romero’s marking and powerfully dispatched a header past a helpless Vicario to send the travelling supporters wild.

Spurs offered little comeback to that setback and Raya was barely troubled throughout the remainder of the game, as chances dried up. With 10 minutes to go Raheem Sterling was introduced from the bench for his Gunners debut, while Ethan Nwaneri was also added to the fray late on as he got to sample a taste of the derby for the first time.

Hearts were in mouths when Kulusevski let fly from 25 yards in stoppage time but his shot screeched just over the crossbar, and meant we won for the sixth league game on the road in a row, have won 10 of our 11 away games and kept a ninth clean sheet as the derby day delight was again our Gooners’.

What's next

We head to Italy next week for our first Champions League game of the season against Atalanta on Thursday, before we tackle reigning champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 22.

Mikel Arteta has made two changes to his starting line-up for today’s derby day against Tottenham, with Jorginho coming into the side as captain.

The Italian will start in the heart of midfield, with Declan Rice suspended and Martin Odegaard missing out due to the ankle injury he received while playing for Norway on Monday.

Riccardo Calafiori also returned from Italy duty with a calf injury and is out, with the same issue causing Oleksandr Zinchenko to sit this one out.

There is better news though in that Gabriel Jesus returns after a two-game absence to a bench that also includes deadline-day arrivals Raheem Sterling and Neto.

As for Spurs, Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven return to Tottenham’s starting line-up after missing the 2-1 loss at Newcastle United a fortnight ago through injury, while Brennan Johnson is also recalled.

Yves Bissouma though misses out after picking up an injury on duty for Mali, while Richarlison remains out.

Line-ups

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Jorginho, Partey, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.

Subs: Neto, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Kacurri, Heaven, Nwaneri, Sterling, Kabia, Jesus.

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, van de Ven, Romero, Udogie, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Son, Solanke.

Subs: Forster, Davies, Spence, Dragusin, Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, Odobert, Werner.

To prepare for the north London derby, we have teamed up with British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu to create a video ahead of our trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

The video includes bespoke narration from Pa Salieu as he talks over footage of everyone at Sobha Realty Training Centre getting ready for one of the biggest games of the season.

The video also features Pa’s brand new track Allergy, which references his favourite player, our very own Bukayo Saka.

Check out the video above to get you in the mood for the big game.

Get in the mood for the north London derby with the latest episode of Inside Training!

It’s derby day at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday and we’ve been hard at work this week at Sobha Realty Training Centre to make sure we’re prepared for the return to Premier League football.

Press play on the video above to see what we’ve been up to in the gym and on the training pitches.

Sunday sees us head across north London for the first derby day of the season against Tottenham Hotspur - a fixture rich with historic moments and drama.

Ahead of the game, we’ve delved into the record books to bring you some of the more obscure statistics from our meetings with Spurs, and give you all the trivia you need to impress your mates wherever you’re watching this iconic clash.

Home comforts

When it comes to recent clashes, the home side has tended to prevail. We have lost just two of our 32 Premier League home games against Spurs who haven't triumphed at Emirates Stadium since 2010, meaning we boast an unbeaten run of 13 in N5.

However on the other side of north London, Tottenham have lost just three of their last 16 home Premier League games against us, but two of those have come in the last two meetings - that's as many as we'd achieved in our previous 17 visits. We're now looking to win three consecutive away derbies for the first time since January 1987 and September 1988.

A history of high scores

Arsenal v Tottenham is the fourth highest-scoring fixture in Premier League history (186), behind our encounters with Liverpool (190), Newcastle v Tottenham (189) and Liverpool v Tottenham (191). That equates to an average of 2.9 goals per game across our 64 meetings, and the 43 occasions both teams have scored is another Premier League record for a single fixture.

On four occasions there have been games that have seen seven or more goals: successive 5-2 home wins for us in 2012, a 4-4 draw at Emirates Stadium in 2008, and the 5-4 win at White Hart Lane back in 2004 where Robert Pires grabbed what proved to be the winner.

Penalty prominence

No fixture in Premier League history has seen more penalties awarded than in the north London derby, with 24 of the 26 spot-kicks being awarded all netted - another league record. Robbie Keane in December 2007 and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in March 2019 were the two players to miss from 12 yards.

You have to go back to the 2017/18 campaign for the last season that didn’t see a penalty awarded in one of our meetings home or away. Harry Kane scored seven of his NLD-record 14 goals against us from the penalty spot, the most any player has scored against a single opponent in the competition's history.

Comeback kings

We have enjoyed some topsy-turvy encounters against our neighbours in recent times, such as overturning a two-goal deficit to record a convincing 5-2 victory in February 2012, and it’s also the fixture to see the team score first fail to win more often than any other (29 – D19 L10) - Spurs accounting for 19 of those.

In fact, Tottenham have dropped more points from leading positions against us than any other side has against another in Premier League history (45), but have won three of their last four against us in which they’ve taken the lead. However, recent history shows they've not managed to get in front in any of our last four meetings.

Late drama overdue?

There have been six goals scored in the 90th minute or later in Premier League history in matches between us and Spurs, but none since the 4-4 draw in October 2008 when Aaron Lennon denied us victory.

As well as that 16-year wait for added-time agony or ecstasy, there’s never been a winning goal scored during stoppage-time of a Premier League north London derby.

The north London derby is just around the corner, and to get you excited for the latest instalment of one of English football's greatest rivalries, treat yourself to some of our best goals scored against Tottenham Hotspur over the past decade.

There have been a host of memorable strikes against our neighbours, including a brilliant Aaron Ramsey flick, a thunderbolt from Thomas Partey and plenty of Bukayo Saka magic - and we've picked out the best goal we've netted in each of the last 10 campaigns.

Press play on the video above to see them all again, and whet your appetite for the first clash between two bitter rivals this campaign.

The 196th north London derby sees us head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looking to record three successive away league wins at our neighbours' home for the first time since September 1988.

We go there brimming with confidence following our 3-2 win in April, and enjoying an excellent run on the road in the league in 2024, which has seen us string together five wins in a row, nine from our 10 away games, keeping eight clean sheets in that time and never falling behind at any point.

All that belief will be added to the usual hunger to enjoy the derby day spoils, as we aim to send our Gooners back to their corner of north London toasting yet another memorable away day.

Spurs’ stop-start start

Tottenham head into the game with a win, a draw and a loss so far this campaign. A 4-0 victory over Everton on matchday two means they’ll be looking to win their opening two home games in a top-flight season for a fourth successive year, but they have lost two of their last four on home soil, including our last victory on their turf.

The new campaign started with a 1-1 draw at Leicester City, but after that Everton success, they headed into the international break having lost 2-1 at Newcastle United, missing £65 million acquisition Dominic Solanke through injury.

A youthful summer recruitment drive has seen Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert added to the ranks, while Timo Werner saw his loan extended for another 12 months. Emerson Royal, Oliver Skipp, Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele were big-name departures.

What the managers say

Arteta on his favourite NLD memories: "Probably afterwards, especially when you win at home and you celebrate with your supporters and you know how much it means. It’s something special and we have so many huge Arsenal supporters since the day that they were born.

"Looking at our staff, we have some good examples around the first team as well. They come in after the game and you can see the emotion and what it means for them. It’s a privilege to have the power to contribute to making someone really happy."

Postecoglou: "Results come sooner rather than later. We have got to stay consistent in our approach. We dominated all three games. Results haven’t come but if we maintain that over 38 games we’ll be in a good position. We got to keep at it, and stay focused on the important elements of our game.

"We want to be a club that can challenge everyone. To do that, you've got to perform at a certain level, at a consistent basis, the squad's strong enough to do that. I think we're in a good place to push on from last year and improve in all areas. There’s no reason why we can’t [challenge] this year."

Team news

Martin Odegaard picked up an ankle injury in action for Norway during the international break and continues to be assessed, as he hopes to avoid joining Declan Rice (suspended) and Mikel Merino (shoulder) on the sidelines.

The same goes for Riccardo Calafiori who was forced to return early from Italy duty, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney remain out of contention. However Gabriel Jesus could be back after missing the past couple of games with a groin problem.

Raheem Sterling could make his debut – he would be the first player to make his Gunners bow in a north London derby since Isaiah Rankin in December 1997. No Gunner has scored on his debut for the club against Spurs since Alf Kirchen in March 1935.

Solanke and Micky van der Ven missed Spurs’ last match before the break with minor issues and Postecoglou has confirmed they've both returned to training, with the Dutchman closer to a return than the former Bournemouth man.

However Yves Bissouma was also a casualty in international action for Mali as he picked up a groin problem which could see him miss out, while Richarlison will definitely be absent after sustaining an issue in training before the Newcastle game.

Talking tactics

Adrian Clarke: Tottenham's performance levels have been better than their results so far this season. Dominating the ball with an average of 68.9% possession, they have pinned opponents back and created stacks of chances. Nottingham Forest are the only top-flight side to have attempted more shots, and register a greater number on target.

From a tactical perspective we must be wary of Spurs trying to overload Ben White with 2v1s. From his number 10 position James Maddison has been pulling left, and from that flank he has supplied excellent ammunition. On the other side, no one has produced more successful crosses in open play than Spurs' buccaneering right back Pedro Porro.

If we are looking to exploit potential weaknesses there are two potential areas. The first is around set pieces, where goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is not an especially dominant presence. From inswingers into a crowded six-yard box the Italian is uncomfortable.

Postecoglou’s infamous high line is the other strategy that we may target. Kai Havertz’s movement has been tremendous early on this season, while the likes of Saka, Sterling, Martinelli and Trossard all like to run beyond the last defender too. If he features, look out for Jorginho trying to open Tottenham up with a through ball. He’s a master at clipping accurate passes into space against square rearguards.

Facts and stats

Tottenham have lost five of their last seven Premier League meetings with us, more than they had in their previous 16.

We’ve won each of our last five on the road, last having a longer winning run between March and September 2013 (8). We haven’t trailed in any of our last 10 league away games, only Aston Villa (11 between March - November 1998) have gone more successive away games without falling behind in the competition.

Arsenal v Tottenham is the fixture to have seen the most penalties awarded (26), scored (24) and both teams score more often (43) than any other fixture in Premier League history. It’s also the fixture to see the team score first fail to win more often than any other (29).

We have gone 1-0 up in each of the last three north London derbies courtesy of an own goal (Lloris in January 2023, Romero in September 2023 and Hojbjerg in April). No team has ever put through their own net in four consecutive meetings with an opponent in the Premier League before.

Since the start of 2019/20, Spurs have lost just three of their 17 league matches straight after an international break (W9 D5), although one of those defeats did come against us in October 2022. Since then, we are unbeaten in our last seven such matches (W5).

Son Heung-min has scored eight goals against us in all competitions; in the history of the fixture, only Harry Kane (14), Emmanuel Adebayor (10) and Bobby Smith (10) have netted more.

Kai Havertz has 18 goal involvements in his last 17 league appearances (11 goals, 7 assists), scoring and assisting in this exact fixture last term.

Bukayo Saka could become just the fourth player in Premier League history to assist a goal in each of a team’s first four games after Thierry Henry (2004/05), Cesc Fabregas (2014/15) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20).

Match officials

It’s a quick reunion with Jarred Gillett, who oversaw our opening-day win against Wolves. That was the fifth time we’ve tasted victory in his seven appointments, while Spurs have won four and lost four under the Aussie’s watch.

Gillett has refereed four matches this term including the Community Shield, brandishing 19 yellows and one red card in four games, and awarding a single penalty.

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Assistants: Darren Cann, James Mainwaring

Fourth official: Robert Jones

VAR: Stuart Attwell

Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis

Recent trips to Spurs

We have enjoyed our last couple of trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over recent seasons, with a Hojberg own goal and strikes from Saka and Havertz putting our supporters in dreamland at the break. However Cristian Romero and Son pulled goals back to make it a nervy ending but we held on for the points.

Back in January 2023, we notched our first victory at the venue courtesy of a 2-0 success, with a Hugo Lloris own goal and an Odegaard strike setting us on our way to our first league double over our rivals for seven years.

Spurs had enjoyed the upper hand in the previous three encounters at their home, with a 1-1 draw coming in March 2019. They’re a rare occurrence at Tottenham these days - just one of their last 49 league home games has been drawn, and none of the last 22.

Live coverage

Tune into Arsenal.com and the official app from 1.55pm on Sunday for live commentary of the clash, with Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke keeping you right up to date with all the derby day goings-on.

Premier League football is back this weekend and we’re all set for Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ahead of the match, club photographer Stuart MacFarlane headed over to Sobha Realty Training Centre to capture one of our sessions.

Check out 23 photos in his gallery below as the players work hard in the gym before heading out onto the pitch.

It was all smiles from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel following their international commitments, while Raheem Sterling is fully focused ahead of a potential debut. Youngsters Ethan Nwaneri, Michal Rosiak, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tommy Setford were also pictured in the session.

“You’re about to see the best of me.” Those were Raheem Sterling’s words on his first visit to Sobha Realty Training Centre on transfer deadline day.

We’ve had to wait two weeks throughout the September international break before the first opportunity potentially presents itself for Raheem to show our supporters what he can do on the pitch. A first Arsenal appearance in a north London derby would be some introduction, and Raheem would be the first player to do that since Isaiah Rankin back in 1997.

No Gunner has netted debuting against Spurs since 1935, but Mikel Arteta believes that the drive the England international has shown so far means he's going to make an impact sooner rather than later in our colours.

“He looks great,” Mikel said in his pre-match press conference. “First of all, because he’s got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy, he’s at it and wants to prove a point. When someone’s got that in his belly, you sense it straight away. Obviously I don’t need to discover anything about his quality and what he can bring to the team.

“What I see is hunger and a player that wants to play every minute of every game. When it’s not the case, he’s not happy. He loves football, it’s what he likes doing every single day and I see that.

“His commitment, the level of energy that he’s bringing to the team and the quality is a big push. You can feel it with the players as well. When he’s walking through the door, we are better with him and he’s going to make us better.”

Mikel worked closely with Raheem from 2016 to 2019, when our manager was an assistant coach at Manchester City. Sterling was on fine form during those years, particularly in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, when he totalled 48 goals and 27 assists in 97 appearances in all competitions.

“Obviously in his personal life a lot of things have changed since we were together,” Mikel explained. “The first call I had with him, I knew straight away after 10 seconds, we have to bring him because he really wanted it, you know. And that was my only question mark, what stage is he at in his career, but I knew already after 10 seconds. Bring him here.

“He has this ability and the credit for that is him and the players that he has around him. You need that if you’re one of the front players. He has that intuition, that will and ability to do that. I’m sure he’s going to impact the team.”