Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is getting all the praise after the Gunners’ North London derby win over Tottenham.
Arteta headed to N17 with a squad more depleted than desired as several first team stars missed out due to injury and suspension.
Prior to the game, talk focused on what Arsenal were missing rather than what Arsenal had, as the visitors got the better of Spurs for the third consecutive season away from home.
It may not have been the high-paced end-to-end derby that the world expected, however, it was one to behold for Arteta.
- READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham, Gabriel Magalhaes the match-winner as one star gets 5/10
Micah Richards praises Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach vs Tottenham
There was a lot to unpack from the derby win, as Gabriel Magalhaes stole the headlines with his 64th minute header.
The Brazilian was impeccable from start to finish, being solid defensively and scoring the match winner on a day that required Arsenal to dig deep.
Speaking in reaction to the victory, pundit Micah Richards called for Arteta to receive more praise for his tactical flexibility, via The Rest Is Football podcast.
“Seriously, we have to start giving praise to Arteta,” Richards told Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.
“Not only because he was without key players but the fact of how flexible he’s become as a manager. When we talked about Arsenal before, we talked about them on the front foot, high energy, press, playing through the lines.”
Richards went on to form a comparison between the Gunners’ win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and last season’s well-fought 0-0 draw at the Etihad.
Arteta’s tactics were criticised that day with a thought to the lack of attacking desire in the fixture although Richards saw it in a different light, showering the Arsenal boss with praise.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal injury crisis ruined Tottenham gameplan to the point he couldn’t sleep
“That game against Man City last season when they drew 0-0, it was like okay, Arsenal can defend as well, I don’t mean just defend but they can change the way they approach the game and defend with numbers behind the ball and be very organised.
“The way Arteta’s been able to dip into both systems, I just think he needs so much praise.”
Arsenal’s win over Tottenham sent a message to the Premier League
When the odds were stacked against Arsenal, the Gunners found a way to prevail with three points in a game where the stakes could not have been higher.
To go to Spurs without the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and depth on the bench, was a nightmare for Arteta, but one that turned into a dream.
- READ MORE: What Gabriel Jesus did to Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri should send a firm warning to Man City
Five of the names on Arsenal’s bench were under the age of 19, with Ethan Nwaneri playing an inspired late cameo to show the Premier League a glimpse of his ability.
It was a change in tactical approach that has become an option for Arteta when his side have to win in difficult circumstances, something that is newly evident from last season.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City should be concerned about Arsenal’s evolution under Arteta, with the tactical flexibility and squad adaptability fitting the standard of champions.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
