Three Key Takeaways from Arsenal’s Latest North London Derby Win

The North London Derby is always a fiery encounter, but Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham proved to be more than just bragging rights—it was a statement of intent. Despite missing key players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, the Gunners showcased their depth and resilience, keeping their title hopes alive. Martin Lewis-Skelly emerged as a standout, defying his age with a seasoned performance, while Martin Ødegaard’s growing influence reminded fans of his best form. As for Tottenham, aside from a lucky deflected goal, their threat fizzled under Arsenal’s midfield dominance, raising questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.

In today’s piece, we dive into three key takeaways from the match and what they mean for Arsenal fans as the title race heats up.

Martin Lewis-Skelly—Maturity Beyond His Years

In only his first North London Derby, Martin Lewis-Skelly played with poise and confidence that belied his 18 years. Completing 90.9% of his passes and contributing three progressive passes for 226.9 yards, he was pivotal in linking defense to attack. His defensive contributions were equally impressive, with four successful tackles, six ball recoveries, and two clearances.

What makes Lewis-Skelly’s performance so remarkable is not just the statistics but his ability to read the game, positioning himself effectively to break up Tottenham’s transitions. Arsenal fans should be thrilled to see such a composed and impactful display from a player so young. Comparisons to past midfield prodigies are inevitable, and on this evidence, Lewis-Skelly could follow a similar trajectory to Arsenal greats that came out of our academy.

Arsenal’s Midfield Dominance Highlights the Need for a Goal Scorer

Arsenal’s midfield ran the show, with Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Martin Ødegaard dictating tempo and dominating possession. Rice’s 90.9% passing accuracy and three progressive passes were complemented by his defensive solidity, while Partey added physicality and balance. Ødegaard contributed eight progressive passes and 0.22 xA, while Partey’s five successful tackles demonstrated his defensive work rate.

Despite this dominance, the absence of an out-and-out goal scorer was apparent. Arsenal attempted 10 shots in open play, with an xG of 0.7 from such efforts, underlining the need for a clinical edge. Kai Havertz’s three shots (0.54 xG) and Leandro Trossard’s nine progressive carries demonstrated attacking intent, but a reliable striker could have sealed the game earlier.

Adding to this, Raheem Sterling and super-sub Gabriel Martinelli provided width and creativity, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s 38 progressive passes in the game, compared to Tottenham’s 18. Martinelli’s contributions were particularly notable, creating space with his off-the-ball runs and drawing defenders out of position. However, without a consistent goal scorer to capitalize on these chances, Arsenal’s dominance in possession and build-up play doesn’t always translate into goals.

This midfield engine is among the league’s finest, but to convert control into trophies, a consistent scorer is essential. January’s transfer window could be pivotal for addressing this gap, especially with rumors of Arsenal eyeing potential forward reinforcements.

Martin Ødegaard—Back to His Best

After struggling with an ankle injury earlier this season, Martin Ødegaard delivered a performance that reminded fans why he’s among the Premier League’s elite playmakers. Completing eight progressive passes for 314 yards and contributing 0.22 xA, Ødegaard was at the heart of Arsenal’s creativity.

His vision and technique shone brightest in the build-up to Arsenal’s second goal, where his incisive passing unlocked Tottenham’s defense. With eight deep touches and eight progressive carries, Ødegaard demonstrated his ability to control the game in the final third.

Arsenal’s passing network during the game further highlights Ødegaard’s influence. He operated as the central hub, receiving 48 passes and dictating play with exceptional precision. His role in transitions and his ability to find pockets of space in Tottenham’s defensive setup were key to Arsenal’s fluidity in attack.

As Arsenal’s captain, his resurgence couldn’t come at a better time. With crucial fixtures ahead, Ødegaard’s form will be vital in maintaining Arsenal’s title challenge.

About Our Noisy Neighbors Tottenham: Threat Limited Despite the Derby Factor

While Tottenham are always a worry in a derby, they struggled to create meaningful chances in this match. Dejan Kulusevski’s contributions stood out, providing a strong attacking outlet. He was Tottenham’s most impactful player, leading their attack with significant progressive carries and xG contributions.

Richarlison, however, came on as a late substitute, limiting his opportunities to influence the game. Spurs managed only two shots on target and underperformed their xG of 1.3, with most of their attacking value coming from wide areas. Their inability to convert five high-possession turnovers into shots highlights inefficiency in transitions, and their reactive defensive approach allowed Arsenal’s midfield to dominate.

Additionally, Tottenham’s crossing was largely ineffective, completing only 4 of 13 attempts and generating an xG Assisted of 0.2. Their heatmap and passing value zones showed a lack of central penetration, relying heavily on wide areas for progression. This reactive setup emphasized Arsenal’s control of the central midfield and the half-spaces, leaving Tottenham unable to sustain meaningful attacks.

Conclusion

This North London Derby showcased Arsenal’s depth, quality, and resilience. Martin Lewis-Skelly announced himself as a player for the present and future, while Martin Ødegaard’s return to form is a timely boost. However, the Gunners’ title aspirations could hinge on finding a reliable goal scorer to complement their midfield dominance.

For Tottenham, the performance raised more questions than answers. While the rivalry always adds tension, Spurs struggled to pose a sustained threat, reinforcing Arsenal’s superiority.

With this victory, Arsenal remain firmly in the title race. The road ahead is challenging, but if they can maintain this level of performance and address gaps in their squad, the Gunners could be on their way to ending their title drought. Arsenal fans, the dream is alive.