Tottenham Vs Arsenal Premier League matchday four clash has ended with victory for the Gunners but was marred with pocket of controversial decisions.
Arsenal went into the game having won their last two away games against the London neighbors. Nevertheless, it was set to be a difficult tie for the 2023-24 Premier League runners-up with their key players missing due to injuries.
Leading the list of the Gunners’ notable absentees was captain Martin Odegaard, who picked up an ankle injury while on international duty with Norway in the September international break.
New midfield signing from Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino, who was yet to make his debut for the team, was also absent due to a shoulder injury.
Another new arrival this summer, Ricardo Calafiori, missed the game due to a calf injury he sustained while in action for Italy against France during the international break.
Other notable absentees from the team include Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who are all sidelined due to injuries
Tottenham started the game on the front foot. The first 10 minutes saw the hosts dominating possession, but no clear-cut chance was created.
Arsenal failed to make any concrete effort upfront but perfectly contained the hosts’ advances.
Gabriel Martinelli missed one-on-one chance with Vicario
Against the run of play, Arsenal had their biggest chance in the 17th minute. Gabriel Martinelli had broken through down the left and had a swarth of space ahead of him. He cut into the box and came one-on-one with Vicario but his faint effort was gathered by Vicario.
After Martinelli’s scare, Tottenham Hotspur began to build momentum but couldn’t register a breakthrough in the Gunners final third.
However, they finally came close to their biggest chance in the 27th minute. The Gunners were caught out on a quick counter by the Lilywhites. Son was found down the left. The South Korean forward delivered a perfect cross for Dominic Solanke, but the English forward’s header missed the target narrowly, with David Raya scrambling to the ground.
Vicario clashed with Jurrien Timber for a rough tackle on Pedro Porro
The Tottenham Vs Arsenal match was marred with a 34th-minute brawl. Jurrien Timber had planted a studs-up challenge on Pedro Porro and was yellow-carded. Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario confronted the Dutch defender for the wild tackle, leading to a brawl between the players.
However, calm was restored a few minutes later, with Vicario yellow-carded for his role in the fallout.
Meanwhile, the first half ended barren with both sides unable to find the back of the net. It was largely end-to-end but more intense and physical. In the first half alone, center referee Jarred Gillett shelled out seven yellow cards.
Except for Vicario and William Saliba’s yellow cards, all the other cards by Gillett were due to rough tackles, delineating the intensity of the game.
Meanwhile, the referee’s decision on Jurrien Timber’s wild tackle on Porro got tongues wagging. Some fans insist it was a red card, not a yellow card incident.
Commenting on the tackle, a fan, Stretford Laughs, described Gillett’s decision as disgusting and questioned why Timber was not sent off.
“Disgusting tackle by Timber this. Why wasn’t he sent off? Arsenal always have it easy man.”
Another said, ”Any player from a team other than Arsenal would have gotten a red card for both btw. But but… referees are always against us ahh gimmick.”
Another fan wrote, “Timber should be off, and it’s a fact. Arsenal getting favored here., Tottenham are cooking.
Was Jurrien Timber’s challenge a red card offence?
The contention on whether Timber should have been red-carded or not depends on what occurred at the instance of the challenge.
From the footage, Timber actually planted a studs-up challenge on Porro. However, he clearly had contact with the ball, and this must have influenced Jarred Gillett’s decision to make only a yellow card call.
Meanwhile, it was a cagey start to the second half. The two sides recorded early chances but Tottenham were building more momentum in the attack.
Brennan Johnson had a chance to put the hosts ahead but his left-footed low shot was gathered by David Raya
Gabriel Magalhaes gives Arsenal the lead
Arsenal took the lead in the 64th minute and it came from the Gunners’ first attempt on target. Bukayo Saka had won the visitors a corner kick after his attempt from the right was blocked. The England forward took the corner, delivering an excellent cross into the penalty area. Gabriel Magalhaes was left unmarked in Spurs’crowned space to nod in the cross pass a sprawling Vicario.
After conceding, Tottenham ramped up the pressure to find an equaliser but could not find a breakthrough.
Odobert attempted a fiery low shot outside the box, but the ball deflected off his teammate for Arsenal’s goal kick.
The game finally ended with Arsenal completing a third consecutive away win over Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes’ header.
Tottenham have now suffered back-to-back defeats this season after losing 2-1 to Newcastle United in their previous fixture.
Meanwhile, the victory has seen Arsenal move up to the second spot on the Premier League table with 10 points, two points behind their next opponents Manchester City. They will take on the defending champions on Sunday, September 22, 2024, after a midweek Champions League clash against Atalanta on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
