Mikel Arteta has long aimed to make Arsenal the strongest defensive team in the Premier League, and that goal has now been realized. However, despite this achievement, many doubted whether Arsenal had the squad depth to truly challenge Manchester City for the league title. The common belief was that, unlike City, Arsenal couldn’t adequately replace their star players, and this would hinder their chances of success.
Leading up to their North London Derby clash against Tottenham, there was a widespread belief that Arsenal would aim for a draw, given they were missing key players like Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Many assumed that without these influential figures, Arsenal would not be able to compete fully and would instead focus on defending.
But Arsenal proved those assumptions wrong. Although they did defend solidly for stretches of the game, they were far from being passive. They showed the same resilience and discipline that had been evident in previous matches, such as their win over Aston Villa, where they absorbed pressure and waited patiently for the right moment to strike.
Gabriel Magalhaes, in particular, was instrumental in Arsenal’s success. Known for his defensive prowess, Gabriel delivered a decisive performance not just at the back, but also in attack. He capitalized on a key moment in the game, scoring the winning goal from a Bukayo Saka corner. Tottenham’s goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, was caught rooted to his line, and Gabriel seized the opportunity, heading the ball into the net with confidence.
Gabriel’s performance highlighted his growing importance to the team. Signed for £27 million, he is now seen as a bargain for Arsenal, with his defensive dominance and ability to contribute key goals making him one of the team’s standout players. After the victory, Gabriel took to Instagram to express his joy, posting, “What a Feeling!! Thank you GOD!!!” His message drew responses from both his club and international teammates, including his center-back partner William Saliba, and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
Under Arteta’s leadership, Arsenal have developed a strong belief in their defensive capabilities. The team knows that if they can maintain a clean sheet, they often only need a single goal to win, even against top opposition. The North London Derby was yet another example of this, as Arsenal remained composed, soaked up pressure, and ultimately delivered a crucial win to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.