North London remains red after Arsenal came from behind to beat Sp*rs 2-1 at the Emirates.
The Gunners put the home fans through the mill in the first half but eventually made their dominance count. Son Heung-Min gave the visitors the lead against the run of play but they could only hold onto it for 15 minutes before Dominic Solanke inadvertently turned in a Gabriel header. Leandro Trossard then produced a clinical left-foot finish a minute before the break to calm frayed nerves.
Mikel Arteta’s side really should have extended the advantage in the second half but repeatedly fluffed their lines in the final third. On this occasion, it didn’t matter and the win closed the gap on league leaders Liverpool to four points.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of an exciting evening in N5…
Mikel Arteta on recovering from Sunday’s blow to take the win…
The boys were outstanding today. Less than 72 hours ago we played 120 minutes in another competition that we went out of – that is not easy psychologically. So the way we performed and played today was exceptional. We made it harder for ourselves. I think we deserved to score at least one or two more but we had to suffer. We showed that have the capacity to do that too. The attitude, the purpose and intensity that the players played with was really good.
Source: TNT Sports
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Ange Postecoglou on his side’s performance…
Nowhere near good enough, especially in the first half. We were too passive. We allowed Arsenal to dictate the game. We hung in there but that’s all we were doing. Second half was a little better not nowhere near good enough. Unacceptable. Ultimately I guess the responsibility lies with me and how we prepare the players. Their mindset going out there certainly wasn’t our intent when we started the game. Like I said, the second half was a little bit better, but certainly the first half nowhere near the standard we want to set.
Source: TNT Sports
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟐-𝟏 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦: 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒
The Gunners put a difficult week behind them with victory in the north London derby.
Look back on the game and do your own analysis with all the key Opta stats ⬇️
theanalyst.com/2025/01/arse…
— Opta Analyst (@optaanalyst.optajoe.com) January 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Declan Rice on Arsenal’s profligacy in front of goal…
We could have probably had 10 tonight. So many clear-cut chances which is a real positive, but to not score more is disappointing – to win 2-1 in a north London derby is a big thing.
Source: BBC Radio 5 Live
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Sp*rs captain Son Heung-Min echoing his manager thoughts…
Very disappointing. This game means a lot to the club and fans. Conceding goals like this is more painful. The manager is right. We were too passive. We always want to press and play high up as possible. In the first half we were way too passive. Second half was a little better. The first half was not good enough. It’s up to the players as well. You have to listen to what we want to do. I think we were not disciplined enough. We have to do better in every aspect. When you look at table it’s not good enough.
Source: premierleague.com
This was the 11th time the team scoring first in the North London derby in the Premier League have gone on to lose, with seven of those being by Tottenham. Only against Newcastle (7) have Spurs lost as many games in the competition after opening the scoring.
via @optajoe.com
— Orbinho (@orbinho.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 10:42 PM
David Raya on the post-game celebrations…
It’s really important, it’s not just the three points, it’s coming back from two games in the cups and not winning. I think it was a really good opportunity for us to show what we’re about and how we play and how we want to play football and win games. We showed really, really good character, especially going 1-0 down and coming in at half-time 2-1 up, we had chances to put the game to bed but the ball didn’t want to go in, but the resilience of the team and all the players [was great]. A big mention, of course, this win is for Gabby Jesus, he’s had a massive injury and it’s for him as well.
Source: Viaplay Fotball
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Declan Rice on his own performance…
As I’ve got older I don’t get the recognition I deserve. I was bought for a big fee and I play for Arsenal. Not a lot of people like Arsenal – I keep my head down and I know my qualities.
Source: BBC Radio 5 Live
The run continues…
— Andy Kelly (@goonerak.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Myles Lewis-Skelly on his first North London derby…
It was amazing. It was everything that it lived up to in my dreams. I had to take in every moment, every second of the game. It was amazing, honestly. My mum’s here, my grandma’s here, my friends are here. I had to put on a show for my grandma, hopefully she’s proud of me.
Source: Optus Sport
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Rice on Lewis-Skelly…
The young boy Myles [Lewis-Skelly] was unbelievable. For 18 years of age to be playing how he is… It is just ridiculous. The young players now have no fear, none whatsoever. Four or five times in the second half he used his body to get away from someone. He has that Moussa Dembele type strength. It is risky but to show that personality and character at 18 is unbelievable.
Source: TNT Sports
5 – Arsenal have done the Premier League double over Tottenham for a fifth time (twice under Arteta and three times under Wenger), which is four more times than Spurs have done so against the Gunners in the competition (once in 1992-93). Bragging.
— OptaJoe (@optajoe.com) January 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Leandro Trossard on bagging a NLD winner…
It is an amazing feeling [to score], especially when it ends up being the winner as well. I am just happy for everyone. We work so hard day in and day out. Now we need to look forward and build on it. The hardest thing in football is to get the ball in the net. I think that we could have scored more today as well but obviously we are happy with the three points.
Source: TNT Sports
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Arteta on whether Arsenal are in the title race…
We are because there’s so much to play for, and we can see how difficult it is for every team to win.
Source: Post-game press conference
14 – Martin Ødegaard has created 14 chances across his last two appearances for Arsenal (v Manchester United and Tottenham), as many as all of his teammates combined over those two matches (14). Catalyst.
— OptaJoe (@optajoe.com) January 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Emmanuel Adebayor on Arsenal’s finishing…
These type of games, the most important thing is to take three points. For Arsenal now to think about winning the league, the way they played today is good, but they had so many chances that they couldn’t take, and that’s the big problem when you’re thinking about the league.
Source: premierleague.com
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Tim Sherwood on the gap between the two sides…
I thought Maddison did alright, but Spurs failed to create many chances and you can’t frame it any other way than Arsenal deserved to win that one. They’re miles away from Tottenham. Spurs need some help in the transfer market, at the moment it’s really not good for them.
Source: premierleague.com
4 – Since the start of last season, Arsenal have scored four goals from corners against Tottenham in the Premier League; the most any team has netted against an opponent in this period. Orchestrated.
— OptaJoe (@optajoe.com) January 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Aaron Ramsey on Arsenal’s return to winning ways…
It’s massive. Having seen Liverpool drop points last night it was important for Arsenal to pick up points, and it was the perfect game for them to respond. They controlled the game, Spurs didn’t really have many chances and Arsenal can be well pleased with their work tonight.
Source: premierleague.com
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Arteta on whether Arsenal are looking to sign someone this month…
Yes, for sure. Because we lost two players, big players, Bukayo [Saka] – that can be out for up to three months, so that’s a long time – and Gabby [Jesus], that’s going to be out for a long, long, long time.
Source: TNT Sports
Well done, Gunners! Odd quote from Rice. I think he needs some love!
He’s still hurting from that ridiculous red card. He would never get that card playing for 19 out of the 20 clubs in the league.
Rice was just spitting facts. Arsenal are reffed differently.
He deserves a LOT more love than he gets. He’s right: there are several other large PL fanbases who were desperate for him to fail. They want so badly for us to go back to being a laughingstock.
His grandma was there…
Whoever downvoted MLS’ grandma, I hope you get a paper cut.
And then forget about the paper cut while squeezing a lime.
And then forget about the lime and rub your eye.
And then do the same chopping some 🌶
We need season ticket for his grandma.
MLS uses his weight so well and he’s got lovely quick feet. Could be a big, big player. Just need to find his best position.
Future number 6?
Was going to laugh at Ange and call him a fat cunt but that’s the least cunty post game comment he’s made. Hang in there Ange, we’re all rooting for you 😉
May he stay as long as levy and lewis
Yes, especially no mention of the corner that gave us the goal.
“Hopefully” his grandma is proud of MLS??? She’ll be BURSTING!!! Good on the lad.
Adebayor talk about missed chances is… something…
And him talking about how to win the premier league 🤣🤣🤣
Him talking…
Him….
Her…..
Emmanuela
I remember him as Arsenal player scoring a goal of beauty against Spurs
Show more respect to his season with 30 goals.
He could have had 50 that season if he stayed onside for half of the play
Thought Rice’s comments were interesting. Reads to me like he isn’t really happy at Arsenal. Hope that’s me being paranoid.
It is.
Rice comments were interesting. I know as fans we can see the hate and bias. I quite his honesty on how the club is perceived. None of that diplomatic nonsense. Coyg
I think the boss has been working on creating a bit of a siege mentality to try give us more of an edge, seeings our the top end of our attack is a bit blunt atm.
Rice has really stepped up lately, he’s one of a few proper leaders in this team.
Onwards and upwards!
Lovely to see Rambo
In there ❤️
Arsenal legend, underrated.
He’s always sneaking in like that… just ask hull. Or the chavs
Do we think Arteta meant 3 months *from now* for Saka or 3 months from when injured ??
Could be that, really, season is over for Saka
He is still on crutches.
TBH, I think the season is over for Saka. Arteta didn’t just want to say it.
Do we remember how Arteta played down Saliba’s injury two seasons ago and kept us waiting and waiting until we never saw him again?.
It is a bitter truth that no one wants to hear. I hope to be proven wrong but we aren’t seeing Saka again until late April or May.
Technically, his season is over.
I don’t think so.
He was injured on the 21st December 2024. 3 months injury means coming back on the 21st of March while first journalists talked about end of February.
March 21st, 2025. So, back for the Fulham game. We’ll hold you to that! 😀
Reading David Raya’s quote and his tribute to Gabi Jesus – and more importantly his outstanding performances this season, I have to hold my hands up: I was upset to see the great Aaron Ramsdale jettisoned, but Mikel’s brave decision has been thoroughly vindicated. (Not trying to open an old debate, just acknowledging Raya’s immense contribution this season, and how assured his performances are.)
Spuds have lost 11 games this season already… that’s just the way they play, mate.
I gotta admit, I’m entertained.