Gabriel Jesus’ important role - things we learned from Spurs vs Arsenal

ARSENAL prevailed yet again in the North London Derby on Tottenham soil to continue their fine start to the new season.

Gabriel’s second-half header was enough for the three points – the first time the Gunners have won three successive away games at rivals Spurs since 1988.

They managed it without the likes of suspended Declan Rice and injured Martin Odegaard, as well as a whole host of other first team stars missing.

It leaves Mikel Arteta’s men two points off leaders Manchester City after four games ahead of their mammoth trip to the Etihad this weekend.

SunSport’s Jordan Davies takes a look at five things you may have missed from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Saliba’s battle with Solanke

A North London Derby debut for Spurs’ record-signing Dominic Solanke – a £65m summer arrival from Bournemouth – was as daunting as it comes against Arsenal’s William Saliba.

The French defender is very rarely flustered by any opposition striker and showed moments of calmness and brilliance to help Arsenal earn a third clean sheet of the season already.

But in the early stages, we saw some rare signs of Saliba being outmuscled by Solanke, who was causing the Arsenal backline some problems with his pace and power.

Saliba was clearly getting frustrated, picking up a needless first half yellow card for delaying a restart after losing another tussle with Solanke from a high ball.

He may have recovered well, but it just shows that Saliba is not the finished article just yet, even if he is mighty close.

An insane 2024 away record

Arsenal have been formidable in the Prem away from home since the turn of the year, boasting some of the best statistics in the division.

Since January 1, they have won 10 of 11 games on the road – drawing 0-0 at Manchester City back in March – notching nine clean sheets in the process and conceding just three goals.

They have also faced the fewest shots [108] and the fewest shots on target [22], and have not trailed for a single minute.

It is the sort of record you want when you are heading to your title rivals needing a statement result as Arteta will plot another away-day triumph against City on Sunday.

A bench full of teenagers

Given Arteta’s current injury headaches – with Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu also out – it is no surprise Arsenal’s bench was weak.

But not many expected to see five teenagers filling the seats, three of whom most Arsenal fans would struggle to recognise on the street.

Academy stars Myles Lewis-Skelly, 17, and Ethan Nwaneri, 17, got plenty of minutes on the pre-season tour of the States, with the latter subbed on in the 86^th minute against Spurs.

But the likes of Ayden Heaven, 17, Maldini Kacurri, 18, and Ismeal Kabia, 18, are less well-known, starring predominantly for the youth teams and occasionally training with the seniors.

Their presence shows just how hard the injuries have dented Arteta’s squad depth.

Jesus taking care of Nwaneri

On co-comms for Sky Sports, Gary Neville praised Gabriel Jesus for his on-field protection of Nwaneri during the game.

Jesus – back from a groin injury – came on in the 80^th minute to lead the line and see out the game, only for Bukayo Saka to hobble off injured with cramp.

Nwaneri was thrown on, but sensing he may struggle to replicate Saka’s defensive abilities on the wing, Jesus quickly switched with Nwaneri, telling the youngster to lead the line.

Neville admitted he “liked that a lot” as it showed leadership and experience from Jesus to protect a teenager who could have been left isolated in an unfamiliar position.

Sterling puts in the graft

After his dramatic Deadline Day switch from Chelsea on loan earlier this month, Sterling had a few weeks over the international break to get to grips with Arsenal’s tactical nuances.

It should not have been too tough, seeing as Sterling worked with Arteta during his time as assistant coach at City between 2016 and 2019.

And the England winger showed he is capable of doing the dirty work that Arteta wants to see as he covered for left-back Jurrien Timber in the closing stages.

Sterling even had a chance up the other end on the counter, taking too many touches after cutting inside before being crowded out, but promising signs are there.