Arsenal

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Arsenal's defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel "could be on their way to becoming Premier League legends" because they are proving to be "sensational" again this season.

"The defence solidarity of Saliba and Gabriel is just sensational," Reo-Coker said on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "What I love about watching them is that they love to defend and the art of defending is what their foundations are built off.

"They are not the modern-day players we get now who want to get the ball down and want to play football – they want to do the basic job of defending. They love blocks and tackles, and they celebrate with each other like they have just won the game. It is great to see.

"The reason we give them so much praise is because they're doing the art of the job that is dying. They could be on their way to becoming Premier League legends in terms of the best defenders we’ve seen."

On the Gunners winning performance against Tottenham, despite missing midfielders Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, Reo-Coker added: "They have everything you need in a team that want to win the Premier League. They have the togetherness, belief and emotional desire, but importantly the emotional control."

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Spurs fans

Adam: Depressingly familiar performance symptomatic of recent times, promising much but failing to deliver. Set-piece problems need addressing urgently. There is much to admire about the style of the current team, but the content is still too thin.

Larry: Same old, same old. What is the use of having the majority of the possession or 'controlling ' the game if you don't convert it into goals and wins? Don't believe that Postecoglou has any idea of a plan B, and needs to employ a set-piece coach!

Andy: Possibly the worst performance from a Spurs team in a north London derby that I’ve seen in years. We still can’t defend set-pieces and our goal threat is becoming laughable. Nobody wants to take responsibility up front. I couldn’t name one Spurs player who rated more than a 4/10 and I’m being generous.

Arsenal fans

Anish: Excellent defensive shape and looked solid throughout the game. Always a threat on the counter, especially in the first half. Hard work and discipline by all players saw us through the game to take back the three points and a clean sheet.

George: Yet again confirming the steps forward Arsenal are making. Winning in more ways than one - even when depleted, they find a way. Not many teams will win at Tottenham this season. We have a superb defence and a much stronger squad. With that said, it is time for us to win a competition.

Dan: The Arsenal of old would have played a far more expansive game. They'd have looked better but wouldn't have got a win. It's great to see Arsenal playing with a plan, playing with grit and showing that they can 'do a job' on top teams in order to get a result.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Saturday's games.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton

• Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-2 Newcastle United

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Arsenal have won half of their Premier League away games against Tottenham under Mikel Arteta (50% - 3/6). Indeed, this is now just one victory fewer than the Gunners managed in 22 away games against them in the competition under Arsene Wenger (4/22 – D11 L7).

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Mikel Arteta spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Arsenal's victory against Tottenham: "It's unbelievable, I don't know when it happened in our history. After the international break, we had a few blows. How the team reacted was magnificent. It showed a lot of maturity from the team.

"When they get into the final third, it's very difficult because they have a structure. We were missing vital players and we had to react to that. I'm very pleased.

"We had to adjust and use different players and qualities. I was hoping they would do something with the ball and we did it. Sometimes better than others. They are a really good side.

"When we have to defend in deeper areas, we did it really well. There are things to improve but we have another victory here and it's huge. I know how our supporters will feel about this so enjoy it."

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Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber spoke to BBC Match of the Day after victory in Sunday's North London derby: "You know how bad the fans want to win this game but it's the same for every game. You prepare for every game the same way but it felt really nice winning this one.

"Another clean sheet which is really good from our team. Credit to Spurs, they started really well but we showed again today it's really hard to score against us. We need just one goal to win the game.

"I am really, really enjoying it even with all these games coming up. The feeling of being fit is an amazing feeling.

"It's a true honour. We showed up today and credit to everyone who came in."

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There were seven yellows cards in the first half of Sunday's North London derby (five for Tottenham, two for Arsenal); the joint-most cards ever shown in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Tottenham’s performance, external

What did you make of Arsenal’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Read the match report and follow reaction

There are two Premier League games on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

All times BST

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary on both games on BBC Sounds

• Wolves v Newcastle - BBC Radio WM from 16:30 BST

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Sol Campbell believes Tottenham have a 'window of opportunity' against Arsenal as Mikel Arteta could be without several players for the North London derby.

Declan Rice is suspended and Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori got injured on international duty - adding to the longer term absence of new signing Mikel Merino.

When asked about the situation, Campbell, who famously made a controversial move from Spurs to Arsenal on a free transfer, said: "I think controlling the midfield might be a problem [for Arsenal]. I think the defence and frontline will be fine. I think where it could be won and lost is in midfield.

"In that sense, the defenders will have to do a little bit more work. Sometimes, in these situations, you can see where you can step up. Sometimes you’re not going to have every single player on the field and you might have to do an extra 10 percent to get through the game.

"That’s the challenge in football and say the Arsenal players should be up for and Tottenham should look to take advantage of. But Arsenal have got a good record and they are going in the right way with a good mentality.

"They can handle it but Tottenham have an window of opportunity that might not be there next time in midfield. It's still a top game with bragging rights. It's a special game. It can be a tight game and you're on tenterhooks. It's been spicy in the past as well."

Campbell also said Arteta's new contract was "deserved", adding: "They have rewarded him for great performances and nearly winning the league. Let’s see if they can take it one step further but, again, there’s injuries so it will be about the squad."

And believes Sterling will be a great addition for their title charge. "I tell you what, if you just look at the deal, it was a great one for Arsenal because I think Chelsea are paying half the wages. Really Arsenal can't lose.

" If he steps up, with something to prove, he is at a club with a manager he knows, and that really helps. Raheem knows how Mikel Arteta works, and the manager knows what makes him tick and how to get the best out of Sterling.

"It's a fresh start. Raheem knows he's at a top club. It's a perfect opportunity for him, now take it!"

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.

Sutton's prediction: 3-2

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has just signed a new contract, so maybe his mind has been on that new deal and how he can spend it on furnishing his house rather than the north London derby.

Being serious, though, Rice and Odegaard are such big losses that I can't help but feel it will have an impact. Arsenal have got quality players like Jorginho and Thomas Partey to come into their midfield, but they are missing two of their best players.

The Gunners will get chances in this game and I expect them to score - they won this fixture 3-2 last season and drew 2-2 at the Emirates, and I am expecting more of the same.

This time, however, I am going to back Spurs. I know everyone who is reading this will probably go for a draw but I am not going to do that. Instead, I am going to stick my long neck out and say 'Angeball' will come out on top.

Spurs have dominated games and created chances this season, but they just need someone to stick the ball in the back of the net and I have a feeling that will happen for them here. If I am right, then we may as well hand the title to Manchester City.

Koleoso's prediction: 0-3

I am going for an Arsenal win - if Ange plays with a high line again then I am pretty confident we will win. Spurs also don't defend set-pieces very well, and we are good at them.

Ogunjobi prediction: 1-1

As a neutral, I am going for a draw. I am interested to see how Arsenal get on in midfield without Rice and Odegaard.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas spoke about the importance of Sunday's north London derby for both sides:

"It's a bigger game for Arsenal. Arsenal need to go toe to toe with Manchester City to win the league this year. It's their third year straight trying to win it properly in a confident way.

"With all due respect, if Tottenham loses or they finish fifth or sixth, I know they will try to always aim a bit higher, but it won't be seen as such a failure as if Arsenal doesn't manage to win. Arsenal are very, very close and they have been very close the past couple of years.

"I do believe for Arsenal it’s a much bigger game because they have to find this continuity after drawing the last game against Brighton and for the confidence after the national break as well. I think it's important. Big season for Arsenal, a big month for Arsenal and I think is a much bigger game for them."

Listen to the full episode here on BBC Sounds

Can Tottenham possibly upset Arsenal in Sunday's north London derby.

Former Premier League players Michael Brown and Theo Walcott, who represented each club respectively, have had their say on The Football News Show.

Find the show in full on BBC iPlayer here

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has spoken of Raheem Sterling's immense desire to join the club.

Sterling moved to the Gunners from fellow London side Chelsea on a season-long loan on deadline day last month.

"His first words were: ‘I was dreaming about this call'," said Arteta. "That’s it. That tells you that he really wants it and was already thinking about the possibility and he could see himself here, delivering and enjoying his profession.

"After 10 seconds, I knew we had to bring him [to Arsenal] because he really wanted it. My only question mark was: 'What stage is he at in his career? But after 10 seconds, I knew."

The England international could make his debut in the north London derby at rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

"He looks great. He has got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy and he wants to prove a point. When someone has got that in their belly, you sense it straight away. I don’t need to discuss his quality and what he can bring to the team," Arteta continued.

Sterling has won the Premier League four times with Manchester City but has struggled since leaving Pep Guardiola's side.

The winger has not been involved in a competitive match for nearly four months and was deemed surplus to requirements at the Blues. He has scored 14 goals in 59 appearances for Chelsea.

"His confidence is going to fluctuate, as it does in everybody’s career," said Arteta, who had a good relationship with Sterling when the pair were at City together.

"Knowing him and how he is, it is about always playing, always being present and that is important to him.

"When you have that status and role, and for that to be changed, that hits you. We have to rebuild that but we have all the foundations and right context for him to get to the level we want."

Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott says the Gunners and Raheem Sterling are "a match made in heaven" and "it is down to him" to now make this loan move work.

Watch the Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell has called on Lee Carsley to resolve Ben White's exile from international football.

The interim manager said after wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland that the 26-year-old defender has "asked not to be contacted" by England and has not made a Three Lions squad since leaving Gareth Southgate's World Cup camp in 2022.

When asked about England at the Thinking Football Summit, Campbell was in support of Carsley to get the job on a permanent basis, but said reintegrating White should be a priority.

He said: "He is one of the best right-backs around and it should be about how you can integrate him. How do you bridge the gap with the fans and patch that up?

"Yes, they may already be winning but White is playing top football.

"Deep down, he must want to play for England but obviously something happened before. If you allow things to drag on from the old management to the new management then that's not the best way to do it.

"Just draw a line under it. He is a top player and you want the best players to play for England."