Tottenham v Arsenal player ratings: Van de Ven 8, Maddison 5; Gabriel 8, Saka 6

Goal from Brazilian defender earns Gunners North London derby bragging rights

Guglielmo Vicario 7/10

TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Fine one-handed stop to keep out Havertz header but not exactly a busy day for Spurs keeper. One of seven first-half bookings, equalling league record. No chance with goal. Getty ImShow more

Pedro Porro 7/10

Left writhing on ground after 50-50 tackle with Timber that sparked mini fracas. Caught out a couple of times by balls put through behind him but decent enough performance in latest game of Spurs contShow more

Cristian Romero 7/10

World Cup winner looks like quality defender when he keeps his aggression under control. Had been rock solid only to lose Gabriel at crucial moment as Arsenal defender found space too easily and headeShow more

Micky van de Ven 8/10

Defender looked comfortable on return until clear booking for tackle on Trossard. Headed cross straight at keeper at start of second. Used pace to good effect and snuffed out several dangerous ArsenalShow more

Destiny Udogie 6/10

First-half booking for tackle on Saka. Italian defender certainly not shy in bombing forward but final ball wasn’t the best at times. Reuters

Rodrigo Bentancur 6/10

Picked up yellow on half-hour mark for pulling down Havertz after being turned by German. Helped Spurs control possession but side, not for first time this season, lacked killer touch going forward. GShow more

James Maddison 5/10

Curled in some dangerous balls into box but is clearly lacking confidence at moment. Had opportunity for first-time shot in second half but chose pass to teammate which he messed up. Spurs need him fiShow more

Brennan Johnson 5/10

Little impression until just before break when he blazed a shot over bar when he should have at least hit target. Superb coming on as sub against Newcastle last time out, disappointing here after beinShow more

Dejan Kulusevski 7/10

Denied fifth-minute goal by Raya saving first-time shot at near-post. One of two quickfire bookings for Spurs in first-half injury-time. Curled left-footed strike just over in injury time and was SpurShow more

Son Heung-min 6/10

Supplied cut back for Kulusevski’s early opportunity but Spurs attack was well marshalled by Arsenal’s backline and Son never had sniff of goal. Getty Images

Dominic Solanke 6/10

Had two first-half chances; wasting one by being too slow to get shot away and then unlucky to see looping header drop just wide. Workrate cannot be faulted but Spurs desperately needed his goal touchShow more

Pape Sarr 6/10

SUBS: (on for Bentancur 68’) Blasted one shot well wide of target from outside box. EPA

Wilson Odobert 6/10

(on for Johnson 68’) Flashes of pace but, like team as whole, final delivery was lacking. Reuters

Timo Werner N/A

(on for Maddison 79’) Getty Images

David Raya 7/10

ARSENAL RATINGS: Busy start to game, including save from Kulusevski although that turned out to be Spurs only shot on target until second half, but was not seriously tested again bar being beaten by oShow more

Ben White 8/10

Part of a disciplined Arsenal defensive performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that coped well up against attack-heavy Tottenham starting XI. PA

William Saliba 8/10

Perfectly-timed tackle to deny Solanke shot on goal after 15 minutes, but shown yellow card moments later for delaying Spurs free-kick. Firmly established as one of the Premier League’s best defendersShow more

Gabriel 8/10

Broke deadlock in 64th minute when he headed home from corner despite Spurs domination after break. Numerous crucial interceptions and in running for man of the match. Reuters

Jurrien Timber 7/10

Booked for foul on Porro which would lead to fracas moments later which saw Dutchman grab shirt of Vicario. Focus on defensive duties today with less of his forays forward. Reuters

Jorginho 7/10

Started due to absence of Rice and Odegaard, Italian was neat and tidy in middle of park keeping things tight in front of the back four. Became booking No 8 in game for pulling down Maddison. AP

Thomas Partey 7/10

With Spurs starting with attacking line-up, Gunners needed defensive protection offered by Partey and the Ghanaian midfielder provided shield alongside Jorginho. Reuters

Leandro Trossard 8/10

Fine performance from Belgian who certainly justified his place in team. Lovely touches and passes. Threaded some defence-splitting balls through to teammates. Getty Images

Bukayo Saka 6/10

Quiet game from Arsenal’s usual go-to man for big games like this. Did make it four assists from four matches when his cross was headed in by Gabriel, though. Limped off injured with five minutes leftShow more

Kai Havertz 7/10

Had Arsenal’s first chance in 17th minute when Vicario saved his header. Little else in way of scoring opportunities but always on move looking for ball and is key part of Mikel Arteta’s side now. AP

Gabriel Martinelli 6/10

Great opportunity when slotted in down left by Trossard but weak finish easily saved when ball across to Saka was also on. Proved to be his only big chance of game. Reuters

Raheem Sterling N/A

SUBS: (on for Trossard 79’) Arsenal debut for attacker on loan from Chelsea. PA

Gabriel Jesus N/A

(on for Martinelli 79’) EPA

Ethan Nwaneri N/A

(on for Saka 86’) PA

Gabriel’s second-half header was enough for a depleted Arsenal side to secure a 1-0 win at North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and keep the pressure on Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

With an away tie at City in seven days, Arsenal’s fixture at their rivals in their quest to be champions following a home draw against Brighton prior to the international break already looks a crucial one.

But without key duo Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, the Gunners secured all three points following Gabriel’s 64th-minute goal to state their title credentials and leave Spurs with just one win so far this term.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admitted his side “didn’t deliver” during the game. "It's very disappointing in a big game for us and our supporters. We didn't deliver so you have to take the pain from that," said the Australian.

"It has been the story of our season so far, we played in their half and created chances but we lack a bit of belief in the final third. That's what we need to fix. It was always going to be decided in moments and they capitalised on theirs.

"It's me who has to give the guys the way forward. It's not for a lack of trying by the lads, we are just going through this early part of the season where we are playing well but not getting rewards for it.

"We handled set-pieces pretty well but we switched off for one and paid the price."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his team's "top drawer" defensive performance. "They are a great side and create an unbelievable atmosphere, we knew it would be tough," said the Spaniard. "We believed we could hurt them, we weren't the best with the ball today.

"The way we defended was top drawer. We want to play a different game but they put a structure that is extremely difficult to match up so we decided not to do that.

"We just work on heading the ball, having the right delivery and winning the ball. It is about the right timing. Over the season the team has to go over hurdles so I am delighted."

Arsenal have now won on their last three visits to Tottenham, losing just once, in May 2022, in their last eight meetings with their bitter rivals.

Next up is their Champions League opener at Atalanta on Thursday before taking on Pep Guardiola's champions next weekend.

Arteta believes Arsenal's latest success behind enemy lines will stand them in good stead for a daunting week.

"We won three years in a row here. That is a big thing in the history of the club," he said. "It is a tough week coming up. The players believe already. We have a won a lot of big games, but this will give us a lot of energy and belief."

Since the start of last season, Arsenal have scored more goals (23) from dead-ball positions than any other team in the Premier League.

No wonder Arteta turned to embrace Nicolas Jover, the German assistant coach poached from Manchester City as Arsenal's set-piece guru, immediately after Gabriel's goal.

"I made the decision to bring him to City when I was there and to Arsenal," he said. "Together with the rest of the staff, they have injected the belief that there are many ways to win games and this is one of them, so big credit to them."