Arsenal manager refuses to be drawn into talk of title challenge
Conte complains of VAR inconsistency after Emerson red card
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s players have proved to themselves that they can compete at the Premier League’s top end after strengthening their position at the summit with a resounding win over Spurs, but stressed his side remain “hungry and humble”.
Arsenal deservedly won the north London derby with goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka, making light of a penalty equaliser by Harry Kane. They are four points clear at the top, at least until Sunday’s Manchester derby, and have won seven games from eight; while Arteta would not take the bait regarding a title push he admitted his team’s spirits are soaring.
Joel Matip (left) was on the pitch for all three of Brighton’s goals on Saturday (Picture: Getty)
Joel Matip was furious with Liverpool’s performance as Jurgen Klopp’s side were held to a 3-3 draw with Brighton at Anfield on Saturday.
The 31-year-old centre back played 90 minutes and was on the pitch for all three of Brighton’s goals.
Leandro Trossard scored twice to hand the visitors an unlikely 2-0 lead but Liverpool battled back to lead 3-2 following a double from Roberto Firmino and Adam Webster’s own goal.
But Trossard scored in the 83rd minute to complete his hat-trick and secure a vital point for Roberto De Zerbi’s side in the Italian’s first game in charge of the club.
The draw, plus Saturday’s other results, sees Liverpool move down to ninth, with Klopp’s side winning just two of their opening seven top-flight games.
It is a dramatic slump for the Reds, who have dominated English football in recent seasons along with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Liverpool were close to achieving an unprecedented quadruple last term but missed out on the Premier League title by a single point on the final day and lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid, settling for a domestic cup double.
3 – Leandro Trossard has become just the third opposing player to score a Premier League hat-trick at Anfield, after Peter Ndlovu and Andrey Arshavin. Trio. pic.twitter.com/XwbZTE1tro
Thiago Silva was fortunate to escape a red card against Crystal Palace (Picture: Sky Sports)
Graham Potter admitted he understood Patrick Vieira’s frustration after watching Thiago Silva escape a red card for deliberate handball in Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace.
The new Chelsea boss was able to celebrate his first win in charge following Conor Gallagher’s late winner against the side with whom he spent last season on loan.
It had looked likely to be another frustrating day at the office for Potter after he watched his side concede the opening goal of the contest after only eight minutes when Odsonne Edouard prodded home from close range.
The pivotal incident of the match occurred just after the half hour mark when Thiago slipped under pressure from Jordan Ayew and, in a desperate attempt to prevent the Palace forward from advancing on goal, palmed the ball away from danger.
Referee Chris Kavanagh opted to hand out a yellow card and with the VAR under the impression that no clear and obvious error had been committed decided not to intervene.
And Palace’s frustration was compounded moments later when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised following a Thiago assist.
‘I thought it was touch and go,’ confessed Potter. ‘The fact he was quite far from the goal saved him and it could’ve gone the other way
‘It’s a close one, I can understand Patrick’s [Vieira] frustration. It’s a 50-50 one.’
On the significance of the victory, the Chelsea manager added: ‘We’re delighted with the result. It’s a tough place to come. I thought we started quite well but conceded from the first action into the box.
‘Credit to the boys, they recovered well and did not let their heads go down. It was nice to get an equaliser and get back in the game.
‘We had to survive moments as they are a good side with dangerous players. To be a goal down and come away with three points is fantastic so credit to the players.
‘There’s character, that’s for sure. They could’ve felt sorry for themselves after conceding the goal but the players stood up all the way through.
‘There was a collective spirit among the players. We are delighted with the three points.’
Saka helped Arsenal extend their lead at the top (Picture: Getty)
Bukayo Saka taunted Tottenham following Arsenal’s north London derby win, telling his side’s arch-rivals: ‘We run this place’.
The Gunners have opened up a four point lead at the top of the Premier League following Saturday’s 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.
Thomas Partey gave the hosts the lead with a stunning effort after 20 minutes before Harry Kane pulled one back before half-time.
Gabriel Jesus restored the lead with Hugo Lloris spilling an effort from Saka straight into the path of the Brazilian with Granit Xhaka wrapping up the win after 67 minutes.
Tottenham were reduced to 10 men before that third goal with Emerson Royal shown a straight red card for a challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Victory for Tottenham would have seen them leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s side into top spot with Saka reminding Spurs of who, for now at least, is the dominant force in north London at full-time.
Aaron Ramsdale made a crucial save to deny Richarlison with the game goalless in the first-half and made the most of the occasion by goading Spurs fans as Arsenal saw out the win.
‘It’s Arsenal’s day without doubt,’ former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker Glenn Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘The highlight of the last 10 minutes has been seeing Aaron Ramsdale turn round and wave to the almost empty Spurs away end.
‘I love players showing their personality because it’s happening less and less on the pitch.’
Despite their excellent start to the season there have been questions over whether the Gunners can sustain their early form and replicate their performances against the teams at the top of the division, having suffered defeat against Manchester United at the start of the month.
Arteta insists however Saturday’s derby win has underlined their ambitions.
Asked what message the victory will send to other title contenders, Arteta told a press conference: ‘For me the message is to the players and everybody here at the club that we are able to play at this level against this kind of opponent. That should give them confidence and belief.’
Ian Wright got a little carried away while celebrating Granit Xhaka’s goal (Picture: Twitter/Getty)
Arsenal legend Ian Wright got a little carried away while celebrating Granit Xhaka’s goal against Tottenham in Saturday’s north London derby.
The Gunners produced an impressive display to beat Spurs 3-1 at the Emirates, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The result brings Spurs’ unbeaten start to an end and marks revenge for Arsenal, who missed out on a top four spot last season to Antonio Conte’s side.
Thomas Partey opened the scoring and after Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot, Gabriel Jesus and Xhaka got on the scoresheet to secure victory.
Former Gunner Wright could not hide his excitement while celebrating Xhaka’s goal to make it 3-1, with fellow Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer posting a video of him on Twitter.
Wright could be seen laughing, pointing at the screen, jumping around and throwing his hands around before clenching his fists and loudly screaming ‘Yes!’.
‘I thinks he’s happy,’ Shearer posted alongside the clip with four laughing face emojis.
Wright then posted his own video as he performed some kind of victory dance, with a load of red circle emojis and the caption: ’22h25 @BBCMOTD See you there!!!!’
Arsenal have won seven of their eight top-flight games this season, losing their only match to Manchester United.
They are four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who face United on Sunday.
The Gunners return to Europa League action in their next match, facing Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, before they host Liverpool on October 9.
Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte said the red card given to Emerson Royal 'killed the game' after his team lost 3-1 to Arsenal in the north London derby. Meanwhile Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta praised the 'passion and coolness' of his players as they continue to build something 'powerful'.
Arsenal beat their fierce rivals 3-1 at the Emirates to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, winning seven of their eight top-flight games.
Mikel Arteta’s side took the lead after 20 minutes through Thomas Partey – but the Gunners conceded just 11 minutes later – as Gabriel fouled Richarlison in the box to hand Tottenham a penalty, which was scored by Spurs striker Harry Kane.
Richarlison had latched onto a Son Heung-min pass after a Xhaka clearance, with Gabriel bringing down his fellow Brazilian after a poorly timed lunge.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka secured an Arsenal win – as Tottenham’s Emerson Royal was shown a red card – but former centre-back Ferdinand was unimpressed by Gabriel’s defending for the Spurs penalty.
‘If you are Mikel Arteta you are saying to Gabriel – stay on your feet!’ he told BT Sport.
‘There is no need to dive in in that situation, he is on his weaker foot. You would be very frustrated.’
He was not the only pundit to criticise the Brazilian, with Darren Bent tweeting: ‘Bad decision Gabriel, stay on your feet.’
Lee Hendrie, speaking on Sky Sports, added: ‘I’m not sure why Gabriel has made the decision to make the tackle. It is really clumsy.’
Gabriel, 24, joined Arsenal in 2020 from French club Lille and has made 79 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions.
He has formed a central defensive partnership with 21-year-old William Saliba this term as Arsenal look to secure a top four spot for the first time since 2015-16.
