Sun Sep 15 16:37:31 UTC 2024: ## Arsenal Triumph Over Tottenham Despite Injury Crisis
**London, England** – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lauded his team’s resilience and determination in securing a crucial 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday, despite a significant injury crisis.
The Gunners were without several key players including captain Martin Ødegaard (ankle injury), Declan Rice (suspension), and other absentees like Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.
“I didn’t sleep much preparing for this game,” admitted Arteta, revealing the anxieties surrounding the numerous injuries. “I had to completely change my plan and adapt to the players we had available. It was a great challenge.”
However, Arteta emphasized the team’s response to the adversity. “The moment we started getting the news, the team got hungrier and hungrier to play,” he stated. “It’s a big compliment to everybody at the club to behave in a certain way. We faced the challenge, played with courage and acknowledged the qualities we had to win the game.”
Gabriel Magalhaes’ 64th-minute header proved to be the decisive goal, securing Arsenal’s third consecutive away win at Tottenham for the first time since 1988.
Despite the victory, the immediate future of Ødegaard remains uncertain. While initial reports suggested a three-week absence, Arteta insisted the club would need to further assess the situation.
This win propels Arsenal further up the Premier League table, as they face a tough upcoming schedule with a Champions League match against Atalanta on Thursday and a trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
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