Clinical Arsenal win North London Derby at Tottenham

Football trips to the Premier League are always highlighted by the North London Derby between Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal FC (0:1). Our editorial team observed this match on September 15, 2024, for you. 

The atmosphere around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is always tense when Arsenal shows up. This was the case on Matchday 4 of the 2024/2025 season, when the “Gunners” had to deal with several injuries. Martin Ødegaard, along with newcomers Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, were injured during the Nations League games with Norway, Italy, and Spain. Additionally, midfield strategist Declan Rice was suspended (yellow-red).

Not the best conditions, considering Arsenal had two decisive away games in a row on their schedule with the North London Derby and the match at Manchester City. This was followed by the Champions League match midweek against Atalanta Bergamo. 

There are easier tasks after an international break…

Havertz: "We came here to win"

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports UK before the game about the seven absentees: "Now it's about adaptability, such personnel shortages happen every season, and the team must now show its quality."

Kai Havertz, the German star at Arsenal FC, was confident ahead of the game: "We're all charged up, we know how important this derby is, and we came here to win."

"Without Ødegaard and Rice, Arsenal lacks physical presence in midfield," said former England international Matthew Upson on BBC Radio 5 Live after a little over half an hour of play. 

The Set-Piece Kings

The Gunners played against their London arch-rivals for the first time in 38 years not in their traditional red and white club colors. They played entirely in black. 
For a long time, Arsenal struggled in the new kit. Their counterattacks were not finished with consistency.

However, the team that was the most successful from set pieces last Premier League season struck coldly in the 64th minute. A headed goal by advancing center-back Gabriel Magalhães after a corner from the right by Bukayo Saka. "Whether it's deserved, I can't say," said former Arsenal player and World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi on Sky Deutschland, "but it's 1-0 for Arsenal. In the Premier League, you can't leave any space in defense for even a second."

That’s true. Although the leading team had not won a London derby 29 times before, this was a telling blow for the “Spurs” this time. Only a long-range shot by Sweden’s Dejan Kulusevski caused danger again in the 91st minute. That wasn’t enough. Without a major chance throughout the game, you can’t win a North London Derby.

Arsenal's defensive leader Jurrien Timber said later on BBC's Match of the Day (MOTD): "We showed how difficult it is to score against us, and we know how much the fans wanted to win this game. Winning it is a real honor." 

Which Derby is the Best in the Premier League? 

"Which derby is the most attractive in the English Premier League?" - With this question, Sky Deutschland conducted a poll on its social media channels before the game.

In this poll, the Manchester Derby between City and United led with 37 percent, followed by the North London Derby between Spurs and Arsenal with 29 percent. In third place was the Merseyside Derby, Liverpool FC vs. Everton FC (27 percent). 

For all these matches, event-breaks.com offers Premier League tickets.