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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said "I always win things in my second year" after their 1-0 north London derby defeat by Arsenal.

Gabriel scored the only goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a header from a corner to send the Gunners into second spot.

Spurs, though, have only won one of their four Premier League games this term.

Former Celtic boss Postecoglou is in his second season at the club, having led them to fifth place in 2023-24.

After the disappointing loss, the Australian was asked about a pre-season interview where he said "usually in my second season I win things".

He told Sky Sports: "I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed.

"I've said it now. I don't say things unless I believe them."

Postecoglou added he "absolutely" thinks Spurs can challenge for silverware this season, with their last trophy the 2008 League Cup - the only competition they have won in the 21st century.

He won the Australian title with both South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar and the Japanese league with Yokohama F Marinos - all in his second season or second full season in charge.

Postecoglou also won the Asian Cup two years after becoming Australia boss - and the Scottish championship in both seasons with Celtic.

The 59-year-old did not see out two seasons in charge of the three clubs he failed to win anything at - smaller clubs Panachaiki and Whittlesea Zebras, and Melbourne Victory, whom he left after 18 months for the Australia job.

Former England defender Matt Upson, watching the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "Tottenham are so susceptible defensively that it's a real problem.

"They are not being clinical enough either which is what the real hammer blow is.

"If you're going to be that offensive and that open and free, you've got to bang the ball in the back of the net and they're not doing that.

"The pressure is going to start to build a bit on the manager."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he "didn't sleep much" after losing key players to injury before Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham, but praised his side for winning "ugly".

The Gunners were already without the suspended Declan Rice for the game, but also saw captain Martin Odegaard and defender Riccardo Calafiori pick up injuries playing for their respective countries during the international break.

It meant they faced their rivals depleted but dug in at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before Gabriel's second-half header sealed a 1-0 victory to ensure they stay within touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

"We had to adapt a little bit because of some of the players we lost," Arteta said.

"I prepared for Tottenham for five days, then in one moment I lost one player and in another I lost another. I didn't sleep much!

"There were no excuses, no crying. The players have thick skin. They love the game. Sometimes to win you have to do the ugly things and they love to do that.

"I loved it, because day after day the players are hungrier and hungrier."

The decisive goal came from a corner as Arsenal continued their impressive record from set-pieces.

Since the start of last season, Arsenal have scored more goals (24) from dead-ball situations than any other team in the Premier League.

Key to that has been the impact of set-piece specialist coach Nicolas Jover, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2021.

"I made the decision to bring him to City when I was there and to Arsenal," Arteta added.

"Together with the rest of the staff, they have injected the belief that there are many ways to win games and this is one of them, so big credit to them."

Arsenal's attention to detail – and small detail can settle matches balanced on fine margins – demonstrated why they inflicted more north London derby pain on Tottenham.

The screams of delight from the Arsenal analysts at the back of the press box when Gabriel thumped a towering header past Guglielmo Vicario in the 64th minute to give Mikel Arteta's side a crucial 1-0 victory - their third in succession at Spurs - underlined a decisive difference between the two sides.

Spurs were presented with a huge opportunity to make a statement against their fiercest rivals as the Arsenal teamsheet arrived without captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, absent through injury and suspension, respectively.

Instead, Ange Postecoglou's side delivered a performance that deteriorated into a morass of poor decisions all over the pitch, shooting and crossing opportunities either passed up or wasted as a degree of panic set in after Gabriel's goal.

The frustration was shown by a couple of match programmes hurled on to the pitch accompanied by a smattering of boos at the conclusion. One win in four league games constitutes an indifferent start for a club with high ambitions. They have lost seven of their past 11 league games straddling this season and last.

Arsenal, in contrast, formed a solid wall of defensive resistance in front of goalkeeper David Raya in their unfamiliar black kit, then struck with efficiency to claim the points.

Spurs and Postecoglou have seen this movie before and it has made for unhappy viewing.

Three of Arsenal's last four goals against Spurs have come from set-pieces and only three teams - Nottingham Forest along with relegated Luton Town and Sheffield United - have conceded more from such situations since the start of last season, Postecoglou's team letting in 18 excluding penalties.

And yet, when the subject was raised with Postecoglou last season, it was almost brushed off as a non-issue. The statistics, and more importantly the defeats, suggest otherwise and these have to focus his mind eventually.

But back to that contrast between the teams again.

In the same period since the start of last season, Arsenal have scored more goals than any other team in the Premier League: 24 excluding penalties from set-plays.

This is a tribute to the work of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who came to Arsenal from Manchester City in 2021. The Gunners had done their homework on Spurs, who failed to learn previous harsh lessons.

Gabriel's goal was hardly a work of art, more a routine strategy as Saka's in-swinging corner provided the set-up, helped by defender Cristian Romero's poor defending.

Spurs' vulnerability in such situations is a recurring theme and Arsenal know it. Romero's appeal to referee Jarred Gillet that he had been fouled was the very definition of desperation. The Argentine, a self-styled strong man, simply was not strong enough.

Spurs must have relished the arrival of Arsenal's teamsheet without the names of Odegaard and Rice, but a lively start soon faded in an occasionally ill-tempered scrap, including an ugly first-half flare-up as players from both sides clashed following Jurien Timber's challenge on Pedro Porro.

An expected Spurs response to Gabriel's goal never materialised and keeper Raya was able to enjoy a relatively untroubled existence in the second half.

Arsenal leant heavily on Raya's quality, defensive organisation and fierce determination before producing that moment of set-piece success to settle the destiny of the points.

Arsenal’s elation at the final whistle was understandable, with the win achieved without Odegaard and Rice, as well as the knowledge that more dropped points after drawing with Brighton at home would increase pressure ahead of their league game at champions and leaders Manchester City next weekend. They now lie just two points behind.

Spurs started the day with high hopes but an early feverish atmosphere was eventually subdued, with almost a sense of inevitability that Arsenal would inflict familiar pain, as they duly did.

Postecoglou and Spurs needed a fast start as a slump in the second half of last season saw them pass up a Champions League place to Aston Villa. It is an improvement in style and league placing after the stodge of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte but it is still a disappointment after so much optimism and promise for the first few months of the season.

Spurs currently sit in 13th place. They will feel this loss because it looked like the ideal occasion to reverse the trend against Arsenal on their own turf.

James Maddison still looks like a player lacking confidence, while new £60m summer signing Dominic Solanke was finding his feet on his home debut, the striker sending one header just wide, another straight into the arms of Raya, then taking too long over one first-half opportunity.

Spurs simply ran out of ideas before the end and Arsenal were content to soak up what might be loosely described as pressure before the final whistle was blown to the sound of mixed emotions.

It was a happy ending for Arsenal in this north London derby story, with their players and manager Arteta conducting joyous celebrations in their small corner of enemy territory.

Tottenham have lost five of their last seven Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W1 D1), more than they had in their previous 16 against their north London rivals (W6 D6 L4).

Arsenal have won their last two Premier League away games against Tottenham, as many as in their previous 17 such visits (D6 L9). They last won three consecutive away north London derbies between January 1987 and September 1988.

Arsenal against Tottenham is the fixture to have seen the most penalties awarded (26) and scored (24) in Premier League history. Indeed, of all Premier League fixtures to have seen at least 100 goals scored, the north London derby has seen the highest percentage netted from the spot (12.9% - 24/186).

Arsenal vs Tottenham has seen both teams score more often than any other fixture in Premier League history (43), while it’s also the fixture to see the team score first fail to win more often than any other (29 – D19 L10).

Tottenham have conceded an own goal in each of their last three Premier League meetings with Arsenal (Hugo Lloris in January 2023, Cristian Romero in September 2023 and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in April 2024). No team has ever put through their own net in four consecutive meetings with an opponent in the competition before.

Just one of Tottenham’s last 49 Premier League home games has been drawn (2-2 v Man Utd in April 2023), and none of the last 22 (W15 L7). Of all grounds in Premier League history, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has seen the lowest percentage of draws (9% - 9/101), while it’s hosted more games without ever having a 0-0 than any other (101).

Arsenal have won nine of their last 10 Premier League away games (D1), keeping eight clean sheets in that run. They’ve won each of their last five on the road, last having a longer such winning run between March and September 2013 (8).

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min has scored eight goals against Arsenal in all competitions; in the history of the fixture, only Harry Kane (14), Emmanuel Adebayor (10) and Bobby Smith (10) have netted more than the Korean.

Bukayo Saka scored home and away goals against Tottenham in the Premier League last season. The only Arsenal players to score in 3+ consecutive north London derby appearances in the competition are Emmanuel Adebayor (5 between 2006 and 2008) and Robert Pirès (4 between 2002 and 2004).

Raheem Sterling could make his Arsenal debut in this match – he would be the first player to make his Gunners bow in a north London derby since Isaiah Rankin in December 1997. Having scored against Spurs at White Hart Lane (with Liverpool) and Wembley Stadium (with Man City), he could become the third player to net a Premier League goal against them at all three of their home grounds, after Jamie Vardy and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The rivalry between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal resumes on Sunday with the first north London derby of the season.

It will be the 175th league meeting between the clubs, with the Gunners victorious in 71 of them.

BBC Sport takes a closer look at the statistics behind the derby and examines where the key battles could be.

Arsenal won 3-2 when the sides met at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.

It was their second successive win at Spurs, the first time since September 1988 they had won consecutive top-flight matches at the home of their fiercest rival.

Prior to winning there in the last two seasons they had only won two of their previous 17 away games against Spurs in the Premier League (D6 L9).

Recent results suggest the most likely outcome from this fixture is a victory for one of the sides, because just one of Tottenham's last 49 Premier League home games has been drawn (2-2 v Manchester United in April 2023), and none of the last 22 (W15 L7).

Of all the grounds in Premier League history, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - which opened in 2019 - has witnessed the lowest percentage of draws (9% - 9/101) and remarkably has yet to host a goalless league game.

Arsenal go into the game depleted in a key area, with Declan Rice suspended and captain Martin Odegaard set to be missing for three weeks after injuring his ankle on international duty.

New signing Mikel Merino is also ruled out with a fractured shoulder, leaving Mikel Arteta with a problem to solve in midfield.

Rice has been brilliant with the ball so far this season, boasting a passing accuracy of 97.1% - better than any other top-flight player to have featured for at least 90 minutes so far this term.

The loss of Odegaard would mean the loss of their most creative spark, with no Arsenal player having created more chances than the Norwegian since the start of last season.

The most obvious candidate to come into midfield is Jorginho.

Last season, the Italy midfielder played more successful passes into the final third per 90 minutes than any other Arsenal player (average 23.9), and his ability to play accurate passes over the top could be an asset against Tottenham's high line.

Leandro Trossard could fill Odegaard's role behind Kai Havertz, which may allow Raheem Sterling to make his debut as part of the three behind the striker along with Bukayo Saka.

"No coach likes it when you miss one or two of the most important players in your team," former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas told the Planet Premier League podcast.

"When Manchester City or Liverpool miss top players they still deal with it in the best manner but not really missing them and Arsenal need to get to this level as well.

"I can't remember an Arsenal game in the last two or three seasons without Odegaard in the team and more recently Rice.

"They are important players but big teams are made of big squads and they will need to prove they are ready to challenge the difficult moments as well."

There has also been talk 17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri could play a part for the Gunners on Sunday.

"I have no doubts if Mikel puts him in the starting 11 or even during the game, it's because he's seen that he's good enough to make an impact," added Fabregas.

"Obviously, the consequences of Rice and Odegaard being out makes it a little bit faster than maybe what he would have liked.

"If he's part of the squad, it's because he [Arteta] really believes he can bring something to the table."

It has been a mixed start to the season for Tottenham with a loss, a draw and a win from their three games.

However, all three could easily have been victories. Against Leicester City and Newcastle United they created plenty of chances but were unable to put them away, resulting in a draw and defeat respectively.

They have had 48 shots so far this season - as many as Manchester City and Liverpool - with only Nottingham Forest managing more (53).

They will no doubt look to attack early, as they have done in other games this term. In their opening draw with Leicester they had seven corners in the first 19 minutes, underlining their high-tempo start.

"I think Tottenham will have a real belief they can go and win this game," said former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.

"A reaction to losing to Newcastle before the international break will be key, not least of all to be in your home stadium."

Fabregas added: "Tottenham are a team who are growing and playing very, very good football.

"They are very difficult to play against because they like to have possession and create chances, so you have to be solid defensively."

Arsenal were deadly from set-piece situations last season, scoring 22 times from them - more than any other team.

That is twice the amount Tottenham managed, with Spurs conceding 16 times from dead balls last term including two in the 3-2 defeat against Arsenal. Only Sheffield United, Luton Town and Nottingham Forest conceded more.

The Gunners have seen a big improvement in this area since set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover joined in 2021.

In the 111 matches before Jover's arrival, Arsenal scored a goal every 32 corners. In the 111 fixtures since his arrival, they have found the net every 16 corners - a significant improvement.

We are only three games into this season, so a minimal amount can be read into any team's set-piece strength this campaign, but Arsenal are yet to score from one but Tottenham have.

However, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has previously indicated that set-pieces - both defending them and scoring from them - is not something he is overly concerned about.

"I'm not interested," he said in May., external "Never have been. Not in the least.

"It's not the first time I've been questioned about set-pieces in my coaching career. There is an underlying reason for that, which I'm very, very comfortable with."

For the first time in 38 years, Arsenal will wear their away kit after their red-and-white home shirt was deemed to clash with Tottenham's colours.

The Gunners will use their black away strip at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said their home shirt "features too much white".

Arsenal also said wearing their home shirt with red shorts and socks was discussed but not agreed on.

As part of PGMOL's decision, Tottenham will also wear their away kit when they visit Emirates Stadium in the reverse fixture in January.

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged by the Football Association for using a racial slur about team-mate Son Heung-min.

Appearing on Uruguayan TV in June, Bentancur was asked by a presenter for a Tottenham shirt, before replying: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

Bentancur later apologised on Instagram and said his comments were a "very bad joke".

The FA said the 27-year-old Uruguay international had been "charged with an alleged breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview".

"It's alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought into disrepute," said a statement from English football's governing body.

The FA said this constituted an "aggravated breach... as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin".

In terms of a length of ban, FA laws say, external "match-based sanctions of 6-12 games will be recommended to regulatory commissions for almost all acts of discrimination by individual participants".

Bentancur has until Thursday, 19 September to respond to the charge.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have been handed home starts to their Europa League campaigns, while Rangers will travel to Malmo for their opening match.

FA Cup winners United meet Dutch side Twente on 25 September, with Rangers playing in Sweden on the following day, when Spurs face Qarabag of Azerbaijan.

Rangers' first home match is against Lyon in the following week, on 3 October, when Manchester United visit Porto and Spurs go to Ferencvaros of Hungary.

The Red Devils will also face former United boss Jose Mourinho when they go to Fenerbahce on matchday three, 24 October.

Spurs will head to Ibrox to tackle Rangers in the first all-British tie on matchday six, 12 December, before the Scottish Premiership side go to Old Trafford for matchday seven on 23 January.

The competition has been revamped this year and instead of the recent tradition of the group stage, each team will play eight fixtures in the 'league phase'.

The draw to decide which clubs would face each other was made on Friday, but the match order and kick-off times were only confirmed by Uefa on Saturday.

In the Conference League - where the league phase consists of six matches - Premier League side Chelsea start at home against Belgian team Gent on 3 October while Hearts are away at Dinamo Minsk of Belarus.

Irish League side Larne - the first club from Northern Ireland to qualify for the group or league phase of a major European competition - continue their European adventure with a trip to Norwegian outfit Molde first off.

Welsh history makers The New Saints - the first club from the top-flight Cymru Premier to reach the group phase of a European competition - start with a trip to Serie A giants Fiorentina.

Post

Chelsea v Crystal Palace (13:30 BST)

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi speaking before kick-off: "We have had many chances and opportunities to win games and unfortunately it has not gone our way. We want to build on those performances and get a win today.

"Everyone is buzzing and raring to go and it gives everyone that lift that they need.

"Chelsea have got loads of good players and we know that they're a strong side."

'Newcastle give you a challenge'

Newcastle v Tottenham (13:30 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports: "Micky [van de Ven] was close in training, but with the international break he's not 100%. Part of me wanted to give Radu [Dragusin] a running.

"We have a heavy programme and we are going to need all our back four starting.

"We are going to need running power in the midfield, coming here is a challenge. Pape Sarr gives us running power in that area."

On Spurs' front three: "We are a threat going forward and the good thing is they are all fluid through there and they can change positions.

"Newcastle give you a challenge, they are aggressive without the ball and we are going to need a lot of movement."

'Will Eze be able to produce?'

Chelsea v Crystal Palace (13:30 BST)

Don Hutchison

Ex-Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

It looks like the responsibility is all going to be on Eberechi Eze at Palace this season.

Jean-Philippe Mateta hit a purple patch at the back end of last season and couldn’t stop scoring but will he have the same season this year?

Odsonne Eduoard isn’t a player that gets loads of goals, and then they’ve lost Jordan Ayew, they’ve lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich too.

'The Saudi owners said they want to win everything'

Newcastle v Tottenham (13:30 BST)

Julien Laurens

French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

The Saudi owners said they want to win everything. Maybe they misjudged the reality of it. If you're Eddie Howe right now, you probably feel a bit aggrieved. He had a very good relationship with Dan Ashworth but he's gone. I'm not sure he has quite the same relationship with new sporting director Paul Mitchell.

Welcome back Sandro

Newcastle v Tottenham (13:30 BST)

Michael Emons

BBC Sport at St James' Park

Sandro Tonali has only played 13 times for Newcastle since his £55m move from AC Milan with him forced to sit out the last 10 months as he served a ban for breaching betting regulations.

But he is hugely popular at St James' Park and the club are doing everything they can to welcome him back and make him feel special. Dozens of different Tonali-themed flags have been placed throughout the Gallowgate End of the stadium.

A number of the flags have the green, white and red of the Italian flag, with the word 'Sandro' in black letters through the middle. Other flags say 'Forza Tonali', with others keeping it simple with 'Tonali'.

It promises to be a great sight when they're all waved when the players run out just before kick-off. Can the Italy international repay the fans' loyal support if he comes on as a substitute later on?

Jadon Sancho to be unveiled at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea v Crystal Palace (13:30 BST)

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

As has become commonplace across the league, Jadon Sancho will be in attendance at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's match against Crystal Palace this afternoon.

He is expected to be unveiled either before kick-off or at half-time.

Interestingly, defender Trevoh Chalobah left Chelsea to join Crystal Palace on loan.

But he is likely to keep a low profile and stay away from this fixture with both player ineligible to play after their late deals on Friday night.

Can Spurs make another fine start to a season?

Newcastle v Tottenham (13:30 BST)

Michael Emons

BBC Sport at St James' Park

Tottenham made an excellent start to last season as new boss Ange Postecoglou had an instant impact as Spurs were top of the league and unbeaten after 10 matches with 26 points.

But they could not last the pace, eventually finishing fifth - 25 points behind champions Manchester City.

A win today for Postecoglou's side will take them second, albeit maybe only for a few hours depending on how Liverpool get on at Manchester United in the later game.

Newcastle themselves are also unbeaten in 2024-25, with one win and a draw in the league and then a penalty shootout success over Nottingham Forest in round two of the Carabao Cup, a competition Eddie Howe's side reached the final of two seasons ago.

'Sandro needs a period to build up fitness'

Newcastle v Tottenham (13:30 BST)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "Harvey [Barnes] deserves to start he has been knocking on the door, I hope he goes well today."

On Sandro Tonali: "There is a temptation [for him to start] as he is a top quality player. I am always thinking what the team needs, Sandro needs a period to build up his fitness. He is ready to play, but for how long that's a different question."

On Spurs: "We had two contrasting games against Tottenham last season. A new match today we start from zero and we have got to earn everything."

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Tottenham Hotspur are the perennial Cinderella side of the Premier League - very pretty but always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Uglier looking teams know how to win, but maybe one day Cinders will have a ball. Will it be this season?

‌Against Everton there was plenty to admire, just like the first half against Leicester last week, but have they added enough yet to comfortably secure that top-four finish? The answer is... definitely maybe.

‌With Son Heung-min, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison already onboard in the attacking half, they have now added the hyper-tricky winger Wilson Odobert and £65m worth of striker in Dominic Solanke. This makes perfect sense because of the demands of the Angeball style.

‌It needs a deep and talented squad, particularly in the final third, because they are expected to run themselves to exhaustion in every single game. Great fitness helps but no-one can do that three times a week for an entire season. Every player gets tired.

‌I watched Ange demand this at Celtic and, though hugely successful, tiredness became a concern late in games and late in the campaign. Last season he knew he needed more back-up on the bench.

‌The problem is keeping everyone happy - which isn't easy.

Richarlison had a face like thunder on the bench on Saturday. If Ange can keep them all sweet with his impressive and honest man-management, then maybe Spurs can finish in the top four - or, more likely, win a cup.

Then the fans can have only their second ball this century.