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Peter FitzpatrickĀ·15 September 2024
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Peter FitzpatrickĀ·15 September 2024
Gameweek four of the new Premier League season concluded on Sunday with two games.
Letās take a look at what went on.
In the standout game of the weekend, Arsenal overcame the absence of both Declan Rice and Martin Ćdegaard, as well as new signing Mikel Merino, to grind out a precious 1-0 win at Tottenham, securing North London bragging rights once again. The Gunners have now won on their last three visits to their greatest rivals.
Gabriel was the hero, powering home a header in the 64th minute from a corner, as Arsenal showed off their set-piece prowess.
In the later kick-off, Newcastle also survived the half-time loss of Alexander Isak to come from behind to defeat Wolves 2-1 at Molineux.
Mario Lemina gave the home side the lead just before the break, finishing off a brilliant counter-attack that featured an exquisite dummy from JoĆ£o Gomes.
The Magpies rallied though, scoring two long range goals in the space of five minutes late on in the game. There was more than a touch of fortune about their first, Fabian SchƤrās effort taking a big deflection off Craig Dawson before nestling in the top corner.
There was nothing lucky about their second, though, as substitute Harvey Barnes cut in from the left, and curled home an absolute screamer with 10 minutes left to win it for his side.
With his first-choice midfield decimated, Mikel Arteta needed his other key men to step up today at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Gabriel did exactly that, and at both ends of the pitch.
The Gunners had much less of the possession but were mostly content to soak up the pressure, and strike when their time came. Gabriel had little problem doing this, making seven clearances, blocking two shots and winning three duels as Spurs were reduced to very little, particularly in the second half.
As the game edged towards itās final quarter, the Brazilian defender showed off his goalscoring ability, powering home a header from Bukayo Sakaās corner after somehow being left unmarked, as Spursā set-piece frailties were exposed yet again.
Gabrielās first of the season makes it 15 since he moved to the club, and confirms his spot as the most prolific centre-half across Europeās biggest and best leagues.
He deservedly won Man of the Match, and will be the toast of the red side of North London for the days and weeks to come.
On the other side of the divide, it was another sobering defeat for Ange Postecoglou and his struggling Spurs side.
Facing a weakened Arsenal and with, more or less, their best side, they missed a major opportunity to kickstart their season. Instead, it was just more of the same as their wretched run of form continues.
At the end of October last season, the club had enjoyed their best start to a Premier League campaign, and sat top of the table after 10 games. ThenĀ thatĀ 4-1 home loss to Chelsea happened, and theyāve never fully recovered.
In the 32 league games since, theyāve lost more games than they have won (14-13), seven of which have come in their last 11 outings.
This season, itās just one win from four, and that came against crisis club Everton.
Postecoglou has a lot of work to do, with the spotlight set to fall on the Australian after a derby day defeat.
Newcastleās comeback win means itās their best four game start to a season since the 1995/96 season, one in which Kevin Keeganās āentertainersā came agonisingly close to winning the league title. A repeat is very unlikely, but it is a hugely welcome distraction from the off-field turmoil at St. Jamesā Park.
As for Wolves, they are winless, but can take a lot of positives from their performance today, with more than enough quality in their ranks to slowly climb the table.
Spurs have just four points from their opening four games, but for Arsenal, it is a massive three points, even this early on in the season, as they look to keep pace with Manchester City.
It also perfectly sets up the clash of the top two of the last two seasons at the Etihad next weekend.
Ange Postecoglou was not willing to accept his sideās clear frailties stating: āFor some reason people think I donāt care about set pieces. Itās a narrative that you can keep going for ages and ages. I understand that.ā
āWe work on them all the time but we paid the price today. Itās my burden to carry and Iām happy to do that. For us the way forward is to try and turn the football we are Āplaying into something meaningful.ā
Mikel Arteta was unsurprisingly delighted with his sideās win, and their ability to win āuglyā in his own words.
āThe players adapted. Loving the game means that youāre able to do things regardless of the context. All of them, thatās the spirit and the characters that we have that I love.ā
Next weekend sees West Ham and Chelsea kick off things on Saturday before Manchester City and Arsenal meet in the biggest game of the season so far on Sunday.
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