Arsenal legend Theo Walcott claims Mikel Arteta and Co ‘played like a Jose Mourinho side’ to topple Tottenham in derby

Arsenal legend Theo Walcott claims Mikel Arteta and Co ‘played like a Jose Mourinho side’ to topple Tottenham in derby

THEO WALCOTT has claimed that Arsenal played like a Jose Mourinho side as they beat Tottenham in the North London derby.

The Gunners earned their third successive win at Spurs’ home thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes second-half header.

GettyArsenal were 1-0 victors over Tottenham[/caption]

Theo Walcott claimed that Arsenal played like a team managed by Jose MourinhoGetty

GettyMourinho is hailed for his defensive style[/caption]

Mikel Arteta‘s side went into the match without a number of star players, such as the injured Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori, as well as the suspended Declan Rice.

During the match, Arsenal surrendered 64 per cent of possession and were outshot by their rivals.

The visitors only managed seven shots to Tottenham’s 15 but managed to make it count as they left with all three points.

Walcott has insisted that Arteta’s team performed like a team set up by Mourinho.

The ex-Gunner claimed that the outing showed that Arsenal are able to “mix it up”.

Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: “It doesn’t really matter how they got it, it was a great result for Arsenal.

“They showed again that they can mix it up, because they played almost like a Jose Mourinho side to see the game out.”

Walcott also suggested that the performance was similar to the defensive display they put in during the 0-0 draw with Manchester City last term.

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He added: “It was exactly the same (as Manchester City) here, even though they had some important personnel out.

“They are so well drilled and structured that they showed it doesn’t really matter who plays, because they are all drilled the same way defensively.

Arsenal ratings vs Spurs as Gabriel is the hero in feisty North London derby

GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.

Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…

DAVID RAYA – 8/10

Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper. 

JURRIEN TIMBER – 7

Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.

Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.

WILLIAM SALIBA – 8

A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.

You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too. 

GABRIEL – 9

A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock). 

Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man. 

BEN WHITE – 6

Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.

Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.

JORGINHO – 4

Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.

A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.

THOMAS PARTEY – 5

Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.

Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week. 

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6

Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.

Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions. 

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6

Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him. 

Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems. 

BUKAYO SAKA – 7

Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with. 

Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener. 

KAI HAVERTZ – 6

A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45. 

Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero. 

“That comes down to the work they do on the training ground.

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“I was lucky enough to watch them in pre-season and the amount of coaching staff who are involved in each session is incredible.

“It makes the players’ lives so much easier when there is that level of detail, with coaches that are literally there for each individual player.

“As a squad, they are getting the same message drilled into them on a daily basis, so I am not surprised anymore when they can grind out a result like this.”

Arsenal take on Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday night before they continue their Premier League title fight against City on Sunday.

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