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Arsenal sends emphatic message to Liverpool in win over derby rivals Tottenham

Gabriel Magalhaes scored the winner as Arsenal earned a crucial win on the road against Tottenham Hotspur
-Credit: (Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)


Arsenal demonstrated its formidability with a hard-fought North London Derby win over Tottenham - as Mikel Arteta's side sent out an emphatic message to their challengers as they target Premier League glory.

The Gunners maintained their unbeaten record to go above Arne Slot's outfit in the standings after four games played with a mature performance away at the home of their fiercest rivals. Its 1-0 victory over Spurs came courtesy of a 64th-minute winner from Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Brazilian's towering header from a corner-kick inspired rapturous celebrations in the away end before last year's league runners-up saw out their win. Having already defeated Wolves and Aston Villa so far this campaign, the early signs suggest that Arsenal will be in a position to jostle for the title again come May.

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A draw against Brighton before the international break could be put down to some early-season teething problems as the Gunners settle into the new term. However, their ability to grind out results - not least in a bear-pit atmosphere against their oldest foes - will have sent out a message to their rivals that it will be tough to derail their title charge.

The Gunners have built up a head of steam in terms of their ability to push favorites Manchester City until the business end of the season in recent years. Two seasons ago, their charge ran out of gas in the final ten games of the campaign, while Arsenal agonizingly missed out on glory on the final day of last term as Pep Guardiola's all-conquering team won a fourth title in a row.

The steeliness that Arteta's men are demonstrating in the opening weeks of 2024-25 suggests that they are a team on a mission to end the club's two-decade-long wait for another league triumph. In the games that they have won this season, they have also kept three clean sheets - with their defensive stability clear.

Gabriel celebrates after Arsenal closed out an emphatic win over Tottenham Hotspur
Gabriel celebrates after Arsenal closed out an emphatic win over Tottenham Hotspur -Credit:Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

The defensive pairing of William Saliba and match-winner Magalhaes is arguably the most envied in the division currently, with only one goal having been conceded by Arsenal in their four games so far this term. With Liverpool having slipped to a sobering 1-0 loss at home against Nottingham Forest this weekend, Arteta's charges put down a major marker with their victory over Spurs.

Of course, with the season still in its infancy, it remains to be seen whether the Reds' loss at Anfield will prove to be a relatively insignificant setback over the course of the campaign. However, the result will also plant a seed of doubt in the minds of observers that the Merseysiders can get near to both Arsenal and City in the league so early on in Slot's reign.

The task for the Dutchman will be to galvanize his players after this blip following on from three victories in as many outings after succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the Kop hotseat. However, the performance of the Gunners this season will serve as a reminder of the standards required if the Reds are to put together a title tilt this season.