Spurs founder on Arsenal's impregnable brick wall - as Gunners make off with the spoils again

Tottenham (0) 0

Arsenal (0) 1 Gabriel 64

The game in a nutshell: Tottenham's high press cause Arsenal plenty of discomfort in the first half, but the Gunners threatened on the break with their pace down the flanks and looked dangerous from set pieces. In the end a goal from a corner was enough, their brilliant defending did the rest.

Tactical talking points: Arsenal undoubtedly missed the physicality of a suspended Declan Rice and the creativity of an injured Martin Odegaard, although Jorginho's experience proved invaluable. Spurs struggled to get in behind the Gunners' rearguard. A great many shots were from distance. Dom Solanke was game on his home debut but faded after a promising start.

Who stood out: William Saliba. A colossus. Superb at snuffing out danger and mashalling his fellow defenders. Particularly vital was his closing down of Solanke, who had been gifted the ball on the edge of the area. Masterful. Gabriel alongside him was also very good.

The mood in the stadium: Tense. Never less than that. A warm embrace between the two managers before kick-off was a a rare moment of mutual warmth and calm between the sides. It mirrored the high-viz police presence outside and along Tottenham High Road. An all-leave cancelled clash this will always be,

Stress was never far from the surface. There were seven yellows in the first half alone. The first arrived on 15 minutes for Saliba - taking the ball away to prevent Spurs taking a quick free-kick. Jurrien Timber was also booked for Arsenal. Five Spurs players were carded: Destiny Udogie was booked for a foul on Saka. Rodrigo Bentancur, Guglielmo Vicario, Dejan Kulusevski and Micky van de Ven were also booked. Jorginho's name was added after the interval.

Flashpoints: Players from both sides squared up after Vicario (who was booked) took exception to a Timber challenge on Pedro Porro. VAR ruled there was nothing untoward in the Dutchman's contact with the Spurs defender.

One minute action digest: Kulusevski had a near-post effort saved by David Raya and Solanke should have cashed in on a defensive lapse. Kai Havertz headed a Gaby Martinelli cross straight at Vicario. Martinelli's burst in from the left ended in a tame shot at the Italian stopper. Solanke sent a looping header narrowly wide, Brennan Johnson lashed over.

After the break there was a glancing header from van de Ven that didn't have enough on it to beat Raya. Gabriel then powered in a Saka corner on 64 minutes. Cristian Romero had a late header on target but it was no trouble for Raya. Kulusevski sent a piledrive just over in injury time. Late pressure of sorts amounted to hopeful shots from distance and Porro's overlaps. Heung Min Son did not get into the danger zones enough.

Spurs: (4-3-3) Vicario - Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie - Kulusevski, Bentancur (Sarr 68), Maddison (Werner 80) - Johnson (Odobert 68), Solanke, Son

Gunners: (4-3-3) Raya - White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber - Jorgonho, Partey, Trossard (Jesus 80) - Saka (Nwaneri 86), Havertz, Martinelli (Sterling 80)

Attendance: 61,645