Arsenal enjoyed a third-successive win away at rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after earning a 1-0 victory thanks to a header from Gabriel.
The Gunners battled injuries, suspensions and a lack of senior talent in midfield to earn all three points on their trip to nearby rivals Spurs – winning the first north London derby of the campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s men remain unbeaten as they look to steal the coveted Premier League title away from reigning champions Manchester City.
But who impressed the most? Here’s Arsenal’s best and worst performers against Tottenham, courtesy of 90min’s player ratings.
Gabriel – 9/10
Who else could’ve been given the crown of Arsenal’s best player in this game? Centre-back Gabriel was the only player who managed to etch his name onto the scoresheet, heading the ball into the back of the net to separate the sides and send the Gunners on a path to victory.
In defence he also thrived, clearing everything that came into his path with ease. When Arsenal were caught in a low block, Gabriel came into his game, proving to be an immense threat aerially as well as physically on the pitch.
Spurs’ attack could sometimes break through other characters in defence, but no one was able to shake Gabriel.
William Saliba – 8/10
If not Gabriel, then his centre-back partner William Saliba. It’s no surprise that these two stood out against Spurs, their alliance is vital for everything at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
Saliba showed real edge in this fixture. It’s not often the Frenchman has to fight back from adversity to get into his game, but against his bitter rivals he seemed nervy – with an early booking in the 15th minute symbolising the pressure he may have succumed to.
However, once he dug deep and clung on to put in a performance, he shone, becoming one of the most feared characters on the pitch. Saliba’s ability to bounce back from pressure is one that Arsenal fans have not seen often, but it will undoubtedly become vital as the season progresses.
Thomas Partey – 5/10
Let’s get it straight – this was actually one of the better performances from Thomas Partey as of late. He worked better with Jorginho in midfield and stepped up in the absence of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
However, Partey often appeared too relaxed on the ball, choosing to make short passes to his teammates rather than initiate a quick counter-attack.
He acted with almost too much confidence at times, refusing to unlock the confidence needed to loft a pass down the pitch and engage in attacking play.
Ben White – 6/10
Ben White often struggled to keep up with the quick, technical wingers that Spurs deployed, leaving him caught out when his opposition attacked.
His position was worsened, however, by the fact that he sat alongside a perfect backline comprised of Gabriel, Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Unfortunately for White he symbolised a tiny chink in an otherwise flawless armour.
